7. Let us, therefore, in the faith of the disciples, hold frequent converse with our Master. For the world is like the sea to us, my brethren, of which it is written, This is the great and wide sea, there go the ships; the Leviathan, which Thou hast created to play therein [4482] .' We float on this sea, as with the wind, through our own free-will, for every one directs his course according to his will, and either, under the pilotage of the Word, he enters into rest, or, laid hold on by pleasure, he suffers shipwreck, and is in peril by storm. For as in the ocean there are storms and waves, so in the world there are many afflictions and trials. The unbelieving therefore when affliction or persecution ariseth is offended [4483] ,' as the Lord said. For not being confirmed in the faith, and having his regard towards temporal things, he cannot resist the difficulties which arise from afflictions. But like that house, built on the sand by the foolish man, so he, being without understanding [4484] , falls before the assault of temptations, as it were by the winds. But the saints, having their senses exercised in self-possession [4485] , and being strong in faith, and understanding the word, do not faint under trials; but although, from time to time, circumstances of greater trial are set against them, yet they continue faithful, and awaking the Lord Who is with them, they are delivered. So, passing through water and fire, they find relief and duly keep the feast, offering up prayers with thanksgiving to God Who has redeemed them. For either being tempted they are known, like Abraham, or suffering they are approved, like Job, or being oppressed and deceitfully treated, like Joseph, they patiently endure it, or being persecuted, they are not overtaken; but as it is written, through God they leap over the wall [4486] ' of wickedness, which divides and separates between brethren, and turns them from the truth. In this manner the blessed Paul, when he took pleasure in infirmities, in reproach, in necessities, in persecutions, and in distresses for Christ, rejoiced, and wished all of us to rejoice saying, Rejoice always; in everything give thanks [4487] .'
8. For what is so fitting for the feast, a turning from wickedness, and a pure conversation, and prayer offered without ceasing to God, with thanksgiving? Therefore let us, my brethren, looking forward to celebrate the eternal joy in heaven, keep the feast here also, rejoicing at all times, praying incessantly, and in everything giving thanks to the Lord. I give thanks to God, for those other wonders He has done, and for the various helps that have now been granted us, in that though He hath chastened us sore, He did not deliver us over to death, but brought us from a distance even as from the ends of the earth, and hath united us again with you. I have been mindful while I keep the feast, to give you also notice of the great feast of Easter, that so we may go up together, as it were, to Jerusalem, and eat the Passover, not separately but as in one house [4488] ; let us not as sodden in water, water down the word of God; neither let us, as having broken its bones, destroy the commands of the Gospel. But as roasted with fire, with bitterness, being fervent in spirit, in fastings and watchings, with lying on the ground, let us keep it with penitence and thanksgiving.
9. We begin the fast of forty days on the sixth day of Phamenoth (Mar. 2); and having passed through that properly, with fasting and prayers, we may be able to attain to the holy day. For he who neglects to observe the fast of forty days, as one who rashly and impurely treads on holy things, cannot celebrate the Easter festival. Further, let us put one another in remembrance, and stimulate one another not to be negligent, and especially that we should fast those days, so that fasts may receive us in succession, and we may rightly bring the feast to a close.
10. The fast of forty days begins then, as was already said, on the sixth of Phamenoth (Mar. 2), and the great week of the Passion on the eleventh of Pharmuthi (Apr. 6). And let us rest from the fast on the sixteenth of it (Apr. 11), on the seventh day, late in the evening. Let us keep the feast when the first of the week dawns upon us, on the seventeenth of the same month Pharmuthi (Apr. 12). Let us then add, one after the other, the seven holy weeks of Pentecost, rejoicing and praising God, that He hath by these things made known to us beforehand, joy and rest everlasting, prepared in heaven for us and for those who truly believe in Christ Jesus our Lord; through Whom, and with Whom, be glory and dominion to the Father, with the Holy Ghost, for ever and ever. Amen.
Salute one another with a holy kiss. The brethren who are with me salute you.
[4489] I have also thought it necessary to inform you of the appointment of Bishops, which has taken place in the stead of our blessed fellow-ministers, that ye may know to whom to write, and from whom ye should receive letters. In Syene, therefore, Nilammon, instead of Nilammon of the same name. In Latopolis, Masis, instead of Ammonius. In Coptos, Psenosiris [4490] , instead of Theodorus [4491] . In Panopolis, because Artemidorus [4492] desired it, on account of his old age, and weakness of body, Arius is appointed coadjutor. In Hypsele, Arsenius, having become reconciled to the Church. In Lycopolis, Eudæmon [4493] in the stead of Plusianus [4494] . In Antinoöpolis, Arion [4495] , instead of Ammonius and Tyrannus [4496] . In Oxyrynchus, Theodorus, instead of Pelagius. In Nilopolis, instead of Theon, Amatus [4497] , and Isaac, who are reconciled to each other. In Arsenoitis, Andreas [4498] , instead of Silvanus [4499] . In Prosopitis, Triadelphus, instead of Serapammon [4500] . In Diosphacus, on the river side, Theodorus, instead of Serapammon. In Sais, Paphnutius, instead of Nemesion. In Xois, Theodorus, instead of Anubion; and there is also with him Isidorus, who is reconciled to the Church. In Sethroitis, Orion [4501] , instead of Potammon [4502] . In Clysma, Tithonas [4503] , instead of Jacob; and there is with him Paulus, who has been reconciled to the Church.
[4439] Eph. i. 3.
[4440] Cf. Letter i. 1.
[4441] 1 Cor. v. 7, cf. Letter i.
[4442] Cf. Letter 6, §2, and note.
[4443] Deut. xvi. 1, LXX.
[4444] Deut. xvi. 1, LXX., cf. Letter 1, §9, and note.
[4445] Hos. ix. 4.
[4446] Is. i. 14.
[4447] Ib. i. 13; Jer. vi. 20.
[4448] Orat.ii. 28, 29.
[4449] Is. i. 11.
[4450] Gal. iii. 23, 24. Athan. reads into S. Paul's words the thought that the Law itself, however misunderstood by the Jews, involved the faith of Christ.
[4451] Ps. xviii. 44, 45, LXX.
[4452] John v. 46.
[4453] Is. i. 12.
[4454] Jer. vii. 21, 22.
[4455] Ib. vii. 18.
[4456] Ib. vii. 34.
[4457] Is. lxvi. 3.
[4458] Ib
[4459] Is. i. 12; Jer. vii. 22.
[4460] Heb. vi. 18.
[4461] Ib. x. 1; ix. 10.
[4462] Jer. vii. 22, 23.
[4463] Exod. xii. 5.
[4464] Ps. civ. 34; cxli. 2.
[4465] Ib. l. 14; iv. 5.
[4466] Ecclus. xviii. 17.
[4467] Ps. l. 23; Hosea vi. 6; Matt. ix. 13
[4468] 1 Cor. ii. 8.
[4469] Is. iii. 9, 10; Wisd. ii. 12.
[4470] Matt. xxii. 29.
[4471] John ix. 28, 29.
[4472] Acts viii. 30.
[4473] Prov. xxiv. 9, LXX., cf. Ps. lv. 15.
[4474] Ps. xiv. 1.
[4475] Matt. xii. 34.
[4476] Ib. xv. 19.
[4477] Prov. xxvi. 10, LXX.
[4478] Not Proverbs, but Ps. xlix. 10.
[4479] Prov. i. 5, LXX.
[4480] Supr. Letter 7, §9.
[4481] Mark iv. 37-41
[4482] Ps. civ. 25, 26.
[4483] Mark iv. 17.
[4484] Luke vi. 49.
[4485] Heb. v. 14.
[4486] Ps. xviii. 29.
[4487] 1 Thess. v. 18.
[4488] Exod. xii. 8, 9, 46.
[4489] Vid. Letter 2, note.
[4490] Supr.p. 127?
[4491] Supr.p. 142.
[4492] Supr.p. 136, &c.
[4493] p. 127?
[4494] p. 136.
[4495] p. 127?
[4496] p. 142.
[4497] p. 127.
[4498] Cf. Tom. ad Ant. 10.
[4499] Supr. Letter 12.
[4500] pp. 127, 273.
[4501] p. 127.
[4502] p. 273.
[4503] Tithoes, p. 127.