Annales

 God wills, the order of nature is overcome. For if the ends of the earth are in His hand, if He also established the pillars of the earth, as David sa

 of Josephus for he, being a Jew full of darkness, did not wish to look up to the light. Hence, indeed, he also put the night before the day. And ther

 This also happens from the movement of subterranean winds. For because of this, when great earthquakes are coming, there are no winds at that time, as

 These things are so, and that the waters, just as some foundation, support the earth from beneath, the golden-mouthed John showed most clearly in the

 being boiled and from there moderately assuaging the need for then, by receiving with sponges the vapors rising from there, they find a cure for thir

 earth, that it might keep the laws of its creator, having passed through every form of growth, immediately brought its shoots to perfection. For the m

 it is more pungent to the cultivated ones, and is sent out unobserved towards the wild ones. And by tying on unripe figs they cure the weakness of the

 “Let the waters be gathered together,” for it says. And the sea being circumscribed within its borders is from the first decree. Pay attention, belove

 acidic or oily, ashy, and whatever is of such a kind for all things partake of the quality from there, from the earth through which they both pass an

 that a certain river encircles the whole earth concerning which scripture seems to me to have said that a river goes forth from Paradise, having pota

 however of the fourth day, that is, before the discs were created, as Justin the philosopher and martyr of Christ says, and the rest of the list of th

 they said the sun was twenty-seven times the size of the earth, but Anaxagoras said it was larger than the Peloponnese. And others again thought this

 surpassing. So then, from this cause the phenomena in the air are also formed, as the sudden disturbances of the clouds, shaken and colliding with one

 but to be well subordinated to all things. In addition to these things, the eclipsing moon also reveals to us another paradox, as the most divine Anas

 indicates the greatest change in the weather. And those who have studied these things have observed many portents concerning the waxing or waning moon

 it was right to pardon, but not to inflict scourges, as the golden-tongued John says. For in the discourses he set forth concerning fate, he also rela

 introduced the radiance of stars upon these things. Let them speak folly about foolish things. For in all these things the cause is clear. If infants

 it is, but it does not have the burning quality for its substance is fine. But it also passes through bodies quickly, for which reason it neither bur

 in the island the day is eighteen hours, and the night is six hours. And not only is it six hours, but its darkness is not very deep, but such as what

 And light is supplied to the moon by the sun, because the church and all the saints are also illuminated by Christ, the spiritual sun for from his f

 and the catch is difficult for it because of the covering of its shell for nature has secured the tender part of the flesh with an unbreakable barrie

 it bends its branches to the male, and how again it returns to an 71 upright shape as if having enjoyed the union, what hearing does it not fill with

 to know concerning the fish. For the male and female swim separately, and do not have intercourse, but are born without seed from water and the breath

 has been devised for those borne on the air. Pay attention, then. For the structure of seed-gathering birds is one kind, and that of flesh-eating ones

 rejecting, because of the labor of feeding, disowning the one it bore. But the osprey does not allow this one to perish, but taking it up, raises it a

 it perches on the trees, as if taught the teachings of Pythagoras. And how are an eagle's feathers destructive to the feathers of other eagles? These

 For what reason is this marvelous sympathy of the pelican for its offspring? For the Lord, wishing from the beginning to prefigure all things concerni

 for. For it is two-footed like a bird, but has a cloven hoof like a quadruped. But also none of the birds lays but a single egg, except only the cucko

 For all things today happen by a natural law, but they received their impulse from there in the beginning. In this regard, the great Basil also says t

 they know a remedy. And a leopard considers the gore of a wild goat to be salutary. And the winged hawk knows the juice of bitter-leaved lettuces as a

 Basil the Great in his commentary on the prophet Isaiah says thus concerning these things: to the irrational animals He has given an easy means for li

 And these things are in every way referred to the devil himself, who begins from a small thing, but ends in great things. For which reason also one of

 Therefore it hides itself like one of the unarmed soldiers fearing to be drawn up for battle. But only the deer sheds its horns for the sake of benefi

 We find Galen agreeing with this main point, and speaking thus word for word: And an ancient story also revealed to me that a certain ruler of uncomel

 and he says these things. But I for my part dismiss this, that the eyes send forth a poisoned dart, as something vulgar and introduced into the women'

 and they name such a thing 'theriac' because of the flesh of wild beasts, and because such a thing is very suitable for the bites of snakes. A certain

 and the lions, fleeing the sun's rays, hide unwillingly throughout the whole day for if this were not so, perhaps by walking about unhindered in the

 but the female no longer. But also castrated swine do not have tusks, because they change their nature toward the feminine for the females of these a

 of the season, so that it may couple with the male. But the she-bear is also in danger when giving birth. While in labor at night, she looks to the st

 in Libya. But in winter, because of the conditions, it drinks. Whatever, at any rate, is customary there, these animals, having arrived in other place

 it happens for, he says, it came forth from the earth with its soul itself for, he says, Let the earth bring forth a living soul. But man alone ha

 The Lord, having risen from the dead, breathed on the disciples and said, 'Receive the Holy Spirit.' For he did not forbear to show us again as partak

 in like manner with the remaining, it is disposed together with each of the senses. According to this, John of Damascus also said that the more irrati

 But it is not in the whole body, but is gathered in some part of it. Therefore it is necessary that the remaining parts become dead for what is soull

 inherent cowardice. But if the dry element prevails, it begets a certain sober and vigilant man. On which account a certain wise man, whose name was H

 they partake of the earth and of the quality of the places through which they pass, and for this reason they have both their taste and quality altered

 able to do what is commanded for he says, “mighty in strength, doing his word.” But also in every sacred ordering, the superior orders have the illum

 and they preside over nations and places, as they were appointed by the creator. That these things are so, the most holy Germanus among the patriarchs

 of creation He conceives and makes the angelic and heavenly powers, as He alone knows.” But also Severus, yes, and Diodorus and the great Amphilochius

 bodies, it clearly shows the difference in worth.” Pay attention, beloved. God, wishing to honor man, first plants a paradise, and thus places him in

 sounded a melody, but when it finds wide-bored flutes, then it displayed all its art, so also the soul, as Gregory the Theologian relates in his metri

 you may eat of the food in paradise, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat of it for in the day that you eat of it, you

 that that body of Adam in a certain way did not suffer, being superior to all corruption, the golden-mouthed John 166 will teach you more fully and cl

 honoring him with immortality. For even if he was not ignorant of his transgression that would happen not long after, yet since he does not wish to co

 continual, as the golden-tongued one says if therefore God in the beginning bestowed upon man the enjoyment of eternal life, as the great Basil says

 in his discourse on the exile of Adam will solve this difficulty for you, saying thus: “Adam transgressed the commandment, he ate from that which he w

 And rather, the divine fathers say that the resurrection from the dead promises us nothing other than the restoration of the fallen to their original

 somewhat similarly to us, (being indeed superior to all kinds of passions), it appears by all means that he was also a partaker of immortality, as the

 was, since how was evil destined to remain immortal, if man was not also destined to live with immortality after the deceit, just as before? It was th

 Therefore it is worthy for you to consider also concerning that plant, that is, the tree of knowledge, if indeed we also have some disagreement arisin

 they entered into life, as the account, having already come to it, has made known, it is altogether apparent that before sin man did not have that whi

 he was in danger. Pay attention, therefore, beloved, and do not be carried away by those who attempt to meddle in the divine economies. 193 For the be

 likened and divided according to this difference of forms, 196 having been constructed last.” And not only these things, but this divine man also brin

 this is not so. And it is clear from what the prophet David says: Do not be like the horse and the mule, 199 which have no understanding. Besides, i

 but 2 the Creator to guard the race of men by the oversight of angels, so that using violence and tyranny, attacking invisibly, he might not fearlessl

 God alone. and be persuaded by the divine David who says thus to God: you alone know the hearts.» But these things, beloved, the account has run thr

 he mocks also those who say that paradise is in heaven and spiritual. For if it were above, the rivers would be said to come down, not indeed to go ou

 The ruler of all things has granted you the rational faculty, so that, using the spirited faculty also as an ally, you may nobly resist the irrational

 animals and man. Therefore, the stars do not change our minds, nor do they lead around man, who is in the image of God, like some slave. For they woul

 of specific kinds of healthy place and likewise of suitable foods and drinks. But behold the wisdom of God, beloved, if we might touch a little on phy

 extending the dryness of the brain according to nature, is accustomed to cause such symptoms. For this reason, it is necessary for those so disposed t

 but to those who believe. And Cain, beloved, sinned more than Adam. and this is clear from the curse of God that came upon them. for in Adam's case,

 called among them the Anabation, containing what Paul saw at the time when he ascended into the third heaven. Such is the book among them, because the

 God, comforting Enoch, translated him, the great Athanasius in his discourse on the ascension clearly declared thus: death indeed entered through diso

 they are beautiful, they took for themselves wives from all whom they chose. And the Lord God said, ‘My spirit shall not abide in these men, because t

 Truly the Lord of all, Christ, also to us, what he said to the Jews, when boasting they said, We are of our father Abraham. For just as he said to t

 and for the nurslings of piety to offer him sacrifices, He commanded that more of the clean be kept, the three pairs for the increase of the species,

 however a tower was built, O and B being the leaders of the construction. Therefore, according to these, the division of tongues also happened, there

 among men. He was the first to take upon himself the name of divinity. But also Ninus, his son, is said to have been the first of the Assyrians to rei

 humility, when someone yields the first place to another, just as Abraham does, so that he might not dispute with Lot and his shepherds whereupon Lot

 to take her, being most comely, for the fellowship of marriage, especially since she was said to be Abraham's sister. For if Josephus says Sarah was A

 For this reason God said after the sacrifice, “Know for certain that your seed shall be a sojourner in a land not their own, and they shall afflict th

 a priest and not according to the order of Aaron? Since, therefore, another priesthood was to come, it was absolutely necessary for another polity to

 in every way the angels first ascend, and through them our petitions, and then in this way the divine gifts descend from above to us. For on this acco

 of Josephus for in the prophecy such a saying is not found written. And so much concerning these things. And after these things Sardanapalus ruled ov

 However, Philip, having become king of Macedonia and having subdued Thessaly, founds a city in it and calls it Thessalonica. After him, Alexander. Whe

 But further inland are men who eat men. It is the law for Chaldeans to marry their mothers and to defile their nieces. Among the Agilaeans, the women

 By night, Pharaoh sees two visions. The wise men of the Egyptians are perplexed by these. Joseph is called, with the cupbearer having urged this. The

 He granted to him. Therefore, the halves of 170 happen to be 85. From this, therefore, all the years of Job are found to be 255. But if scripture says

 they raise for themselves secretly then Amram, fearing he would be discovered, made a basket of papyrus and sealed it with pitch, places the child in

 it changes, but in the case of Pharaoh, into a serpent, so that by its size it might strike them with terror. And it is clear that this was a true sig

 He removed the dog-fly from Pharaoh, and he did not want to send them away. The fifth plague, the destruction of the four-footed animals. Behold, fo

 he promised to let the people go, but when he released him from the torments, he was hardened. Which indeed the scripture, indicating this, said: *But

 they brought forth frogs, but they were not able to rid the houses of the Egyptians of them. And while for the chastising of the Egyptians, it was gra

 he was saying that the Lord fasted. 296 In addition to these things, you must know that even if someone uses sin for the sake of some supposed advanta

 in the spirit of worship in his book, he says these things also, that Israel, having stumbled, wandered for forty years in the wilderness for God swo

 to see such a thing. For what reason? Because it was a transgression of the law. For teaching them to live free from cares, he promised to provide the

 an idol and a likeness For the likeness is a likeness of something, whether of a land animal or a sea creature or a bird, but the idol, according to

 seizing the foxes when the crops were flourishing, and having attached lit torches to their tails, he let them go into the fields of the Palestinians,

 Samson acquired, it is not worth passing over. For since the Israelites, having served the foreigners for a period of forty years, had completely forg

 ate honey, which bees had made in a dead lion? and how did God comfort him when he was thirsty through an unclean and blood-stained jawbone, if the ra

 of Artaxerxes. This Mordecai, being in the king's court and having heard two eunuchs plotting against the king, reported this to him and they were de

 dead, you did not escape my notice when you were doing good, but I was with you. And now God has sent me to heal 321 you and your daughter-in-law Sara

 He was of the tribe, the son of Kish, who was also excellent in form and great in body. He lost his father's donkeys, and comes to the prophet Samuel

 God said, and taking the holy oil go to Bethlehem to Jesse, and anoint one of his sons as king.” He comes, therefore, and when all the other sons of J

 He accepts neither the first as impious, nor again the second for if a demon had appeared, it would not have uttered true words. Therefore God himsel

 Achitophel persuades him to go in to his father’s concubines, then he counsels him to set out with an army against David. But not being heeded because

 a day, and the one who leaped out against enemies would not have stopped unless he had killed nine hundred. For they were so bold that even three of t

 for so many years, so that, having grown weary with the wandering in the mountains, they might love the one place, Jerusalem. And these things you wil

 was driven out from there. and that this was made clear by means of a certain vessel placed there, full of water for such water was disturbed when th

 to the idols of all his wives. From which the transgressor Julian was also moved 346 to say that you should not call Solomon wise, as the great Cyril

 in this place, your body shall not enter the tomb of your fathers.” For which reason, while returning, he is killed by a lion on the road. And the bea

 Ahab was not immediately punished because of his compunction. But God also delivered into the hands of this Ahab Ben-hadad, who was besieging Samaria

 having brought it down from above, he burned them. But here, those who accuse the prophet of cruelty accuse God for all things are through him. So a

 the Lord has planned to destroy you.’” For he met his end in like manner to his father. And the divine scripture praises Uzziah “for,” it says, “he w

 rather his own arrogance. For which he is disciplined by the Lord, being subjected to a rotting of the foot and He gives him a sign that he will not

 and a dreamer of dreams for a dream is from Zeus.” Pay attention, therefore, that through such flight of birds and through the liver of sheep and thr

 the rest in repentance, and corrected his past deeds. And he sinned so greatly against God that the most divine Anastasius said thus: If God saved Man

 Those who were building the temple were Zerubbabel and Joshua the son of Jozadak, and this temple, this second building, was built in 46 years because

 wise men but they swear they know nothing. And the prophet Daniel is summoned for the prophetic power in him had already become manifest, when he bo

 were known by their end. And after Artaxerxes, another Artaxerxes, and until Darius, the son of Arsames, whom Alexander deposed, destroying the kingdo

 they called him this from to revere, as someone venerable. Caesar, after defeating his opponents, and Antony himself in a naval battle, held all the

 I have made it solid. And in addition to these, I wish many to clap their hands at my end, as at the end of a mime and some actor.” But he surely said

 being fed with milk and the growth of His body from infancy to its proper size for according to the blessed Paul, He was tried in all our things exce

 brought [them] to Jerusalem, it would not have descended from on high and stood over the child that had been born, it would not have vanished afterwar

 Cyril says that the male is formed in 40 days, while the female requires 80 days for its passage into the human form. And since the male for the sake

 he considers it to be accomplished by the power and wisdom of God. And this is what the Lord said to Paul: My grace is sufficient for you, for my pow

 The women who anointed the Lord with myrrh are three in all. For one is she who is in John and this one is honorable, and the sister 399 of Lazarus.

 the cup which my Father has given me, shall I not drink it? Therefore, having bound Jesus, they led him away to Annas first, and there he is judged. H

 And less from what will now be said to you. That day in the evening of which the Passover was sacrificed, they are accustomed to call both the day of

 cross there the lamb, here the Christ there the unleavened bread, here the bread.» These things have been inscribed for you in summary, as you see

 to those in bonds, 'Come forth,' and to those in darkness, 'Be revealed.' And at the sixth hour, as the scriptures say, the Lord is crucified, and at

 a race falls under the rule of the Ro-mans. For this reason, they also bring the Lord before Pilate, who had obtained the governorship over them, not

 baptized. If therefore He took on our whole nature, it is clear that He also refashioned our whole nature. Rightly therefore the burial of the Lord wa

 He said divided, because a fire appeared descending in a single form, then it was divided among the apostles. But that fire was not the Spirit itsel

 According to some historians, and especially Hippolytus of Thebes, seven years passed after the resurrection of the Lord from the dead, and the protom

 he anointed himself, and did not use a bath. To him alone it was permitted to enter the holy places and to pray on behalf of the people, so that from

 to be spiritually initiated into divine things. But if you also seek to learn of the resurrections from the dead, how many they are and whose they are

 of the seventy themselves, a company was gathered around that sacred place of the Theotokos, and that during it all the disciples scattered throughout

 and an example. A certain wounded man was lying down, and a multitude of flies was drawing blood from his wounds. And a certain man passing by attempt

 mourning for his parents mourned for him when he was murdered.” But if the creature foreknew, much more the creator himself, even if that madman, fro

 and from there depriving the innocent of life. And the Romans turned away from him so much that they even once rose up to kill him. And when Nero lear

 proclaimed him victor, he was angry against that one. This Titus was so ambitious that he would even say, No one seeing the emperor ought to return g

 being designated Aelia, and he arranged for the city to be called so from that time on however, Hadrian also greatly favored the servants of the Word

 seeking. And often, even when he was sleeping, Origen's father would kiss his chest as if full of the divine spirit, and he blessed himself for his go

 having been appointed presbyters and deacons, they brought other unsealed children to him, and he baptized the children with sea water. Therefore Alex

 Know, beloved, that, as the chronicler John Skylitzes says, George, who was also the syncellus of the most holy patriarch Tarasios, began the chronogr

 of the emperor, having been besieged by the Romans and having endured the war for three years, it was later captured, after the necessities had failed

 In Sardica a council is convened by 341 fathers, confirming the holy symbol and Sardica is what is now called Triaditza. The great Constantine later

 Constantius his son, 23 years. This one was forcing the patriarch Alexander to receive Arius into communion. Which indeed would have happened, if divi

 of Julian. It appears therefore from this that Julian, passing through, neither found the great Basil as high priest, nor did he threaten him and 472

 When Gratian, wanting to clothe him in purple for having conquered the Goths, could not find one of his size because he was broad-shouldered, except t

 In this temple, there was a wooden image suspended without support for because of the iron bars fixed around it, that is, the wooden image, and the m

 without trial, having persecuted Christ along with him. But the blessed John departed this life, having kept the faith and strengthened those who were

 to his three sons he left all his property, but concerning this one he said: To Athenais my most beloved daughter I leave 100 coins for her fortune

 He sees Marcian sleeping and enjoying the shade from an eagle. He marvels at the event, judges the man to be divine and worthy of the Roman empire. Th

 he is overcome by Zeno, who had returned again from Isauria, and having been shut up in a strong little tower with his wife and remaining without prov

 After Anastasius, Justin the Thracian for 9 years. In his reign a star appeared in the sky above the bronze gate of the palace, for 26 days, and a mos

 I wish to give it for free for the sake of a reward and a memorial, but otherwise, no.” And this is the treasury, along with Saint Peter. Another hous

 corpses. And so great was the multitude of the dying that the emperor had a thousand biers made 500 for the purpose of carrying them away. And not onl

 theologian of Constantinople and Damasus pope of Rome, who anathematized Macedonius for blaspheming the Holy Spirit, and with him Sabellius and Apolli

 Justin his nephew [succeeded] Justinian for 13 years. This man, having built a palace outside the city and a harbor in the city itself, called the one

 Phocas who was on guard in Dyrrachium, and who came to the emperor himself for the sake of receiving the monthly rations for his fellow-soldiers and w

 he went away. And because he did not carry off Heraclius himself there with the others, he strips off his hide. And the ambassadors are secured in ter

 they secretly worship. And it is clear from their prayer for they say thus ‘ala ala oua koubar ala,’ that is, God, God is greater, and the great one,

 will cut him off. Justinian learns these things, flees from there, goes to the Bulgarians, and binds them with lavish promises. Whence also with an in

 happened to be at a certain spring for the sake of refreshment at which he also promised with an oath to repay them. Whence also these men came to hi

 hour the deacon read the prayer over the tomb, the brother was miraculously freed from the bond. And how much power the bond imposed by priests has, i

 judged. Then, when the land in Mesopotamia was split open, a mule was brought forth, signifying an attack of enemies with a human voice. And then a ce

 in his chronological work says these things concerning this. Two accounts are told: for one says that Saint Euphemia was handed over to the fire by Co

 534 being sent into exile, he stood upright and was making a greeting toward someone. And having been asked what this was, and toward whom he was maki

 delightful and sweet-sounding. But he also constructed golden trees, in which all sorts of birds sitting poured forth a honey-sweet melody. A certain

 the young man also appears, shows his wisdom, is admired. He is asked if any others of this kind are found in the reigning city. And al-Ma'mun, having

 Leo, as we said above, cut down and spent [the cost of the trees] in which sparrows, sitting, chirped by means of a device, and likewise also the lion

 neighboring the great city of Adrianople, and was once taken captive as a slave by the Bulgars. Having therefore fled from there, he comes to Byzantiu

 arranging 550 a house of prayer. Therefore, after renovating many other things, Basil also cleaned out a certain cistern, which the emperor Heraclius

 Then they also receive a high priest, divine signs having occurred beforehand for the holy gospel is given over to fire, but is not burned. After thi

 of the Mother of God. And staring, he spoke thus to him: Let not the name deceive you, O Constantine, nor think because of this to rule the Romans. F

 a certain Tryphon, so that he might manage the throne until Theophylact should come of the required age. But when the stated time which he had set was

 Theophylaktos, being sixteen years old when he uncanonically took over the reins of the church, left nothing undone that he did not handle in the wors

 feats of valor against them that it was not possible even to describe them in words for he had subdued almost the entire east. On account of which, t

 son, riding on horseback in the field and playing with his own cousin Pleuses, was struck unintentionally with a spear and died. When the marriage was

 Phokas, having learned this and being not a little displeased, both heaped insults on Bourtzes and relieved him of his command. From this, therefore,

 they shook off. Therefore the emperor will go out against them, and will go as far as Damascus, and having restored all things well by both persuasion

 to the Bulgarians. But Samuel, being unable to oppose him openly, decided to fortify the land of the Bulgarians with ditches and fences, even though h

 The first was tonsured for Constantine, but the third refused. Therefore he is joined to the second, who was called Zoe, and thus he is proclaimed emp

 to pay tributes. And so Theophylaktos the protospatharios, the Athenian, was sent, and he confirmed the treaties. At that time, around the second hour

 in the solitude he tried her chastity, 587 and when he did not persuade her, he then brought violence to bear. But she, having drawn the man's dagger,

 to hinder him in 590 whatever and however he might wish to act. And first he got the Orphanotrophos out of the way, and likewise deprived Constantine,

 she wanted Constantine called Artoclines for he was also handsome in appearance, and it was said that he was intimate with her. But his wife, not out

 in the East revolts occur, and Leo Tornikios the patrician, the general in Iberia, is accused of tyranny. Therefore he is relieved of his command and

 life) they bring her into the palace and proclaim her empress. For which reason, sending men, they arrested the first minister in Thessalonica. And fr

 he did not wish to surrender, for which reason he was utterly destroyed. The emperor encamped at Libitzos, and since a great rain and snowstorm broke

 with they themselves being overcome by plague and famine through divine providence. And these things happened in the sixth year of the reign of Consta

 he learns of the situation in the east, and marches against the Turks, and coming to Sebasteia and arriving from this place and that, he set up great

 to John the Caesar and to his sons and to the others, whoever thought the same things. And at that time they indeed sent the empress into exile agains

 having set up a warehouse and monopoly at Rhaedestus, so that from this he acquired for the emperor Michael the epithet Parapinakes, it is said, becau

 named, cut off a part of it and three girdles. 618 Then, indeed, then Botaneiates, learning of the entry of the Komnenoi, departs from the palace, and

 A nation from the west takes the kingdom in order to cross over from there to the east. A divine sign foretold their movement for an infinite multitu

 of the Romans. But the emperor, not being able to campaign himself since he was bedridden, sends out an army whose commander was Eustathios Kamytzes,

When Gratian, wanting to clothe him in purple for having conquered the Goths, could not find one of his size because he was broad-shouldered, except that of Constantine the Great; 475 when this man was entrusted with the kingdom by God, he married Galla, the wife of the emperor before him, since Placilla had died, from whom he had begotten Arcadius and Honorius. But wanting to teach them the sacred letters, and not finding anyone who was at once a philosopher and a lover of God, he sends ambassadors to his co-emperor in Rome, to see if he had anyone of that sort. And he, together with the pope, having made much inquiry about this, found no one else except the great Arsenius, who was at that time a deacon. Therefore they send him to Theodosius the Great, although he was very displeased because he had put his secular education behind him at the same time as his ordination. whom he received gladly, and he handed over to him his sons as children and pupils, but not as emperors. Once, then, having seen his sons sitting with their diadems, but Arsenius standing and teaching, he said with anger, Is this how I instructed you? You make them emperors. God has authority over these things.” And throwing down the diadems, he said, it is better to die piously than to reign impiously.” After this, when Arsenius was planning to flee, since the blow from Arcadius 476 happened, and the plot because of these things, a voice came to him, Arsenius, flee men, and you will be saved.” And having fled and gone to Scetis, he heard again, Flee, be silent, be still.” Then the sons, having become emperors, wrote to him to forgive them, and especially Arcadius, on whose account he had wished to kill him with a sword-bearer. The great one, however, having also heard this: “Take the public revenues of Egypt, and distribute them where you wish,” said, “I have died to the world, and I no longer live; but may God forgive you.” The second synod and Theodosius the Great installed Gregory the Great on the throne of Constantinople, even if some from Egypt were disturbed out of envy, for which reason he also willingly departed. And Nectarius is brought in his place, by birth a Tarsian, holding the office of praetor, who was admirable in his life, but unbaptized until then. And the senator Nectarius was chosen, and Macedonius was anathematized. As Theodosius the Great was departing from Constantinople for the lower parts, soldiers, having entered Thessalonica for some need, made a sedition, on account of which the people of the city rose up and threw stones. Then the emperor, 477 boiling with anger at these things, and having entrusted the matter to the governor there, 7,000 were killed. But as the emperor was passing through to the bishopric of Milan (Milan is a city of Italy) he was not permitted by the most divine Ambrose to enter the church, but remained excommunicated for 8 months, and with difficulty on account of the birth of Christ he was both released from his bonds and received into communion, having first enacted the terms of the petition. But even after this he was certainly not permitted to enter the sanctuary; “for the purple,” he said, “makes emperors, but not priests.” Whence the emperor, having returned and having been asked by Nectarius for what reason he does not enter the sanctuary, said, “One bishop, Ambrose.” When the destruction of the statues in Antioch happened, then the monks dwelling on the mountain ridges showed their own philosophy. For they came down and took God's side, saying thus to the emperor's servants, “Say to our lord the emperor: If you were so distressed over the bronze image being destroyed, how do you think God feels now, seeing his own image suffering so badly from you?” At that time also the precious head of John the Bap478 tist was brought through to Constantinople. But Theophilus also destroyed the temple of Sarapis that had been built in Alexandria. In

νικήσαντα τοὺς Γότθους θέλων ὁ Γρατιανὸς αὐτὸν ἐνδῦσαι πορφύραν, οὐχ εὕρισκεν ἰσομήκη αὐτοῦ διὰ τὸ ὑπερωμίαν εἶναι, εἰ μὴ τὴν τοῦ μεγάλου Κωνσταντίνου· 475 οὗτος ἡνίκα τὴν βασιλείαν παρὰ τοῦ θεοῦ ἐνεχειρίσθη, ἠγάγετο Γάλλαν τὴν γυναῖκα τοῦ πρὸ αὐτοῦ βασιλέως, ἅτε Πλακίλλης θανούσης, ἀφ' ἧς ἔτεκεν Ἀρκάδιον καὶ Ὁνώριον. θέ- λων δὲ τὰ ἱερὰ τούτους διδάξαι γράμματα, καὶ μὴ εὑρίσκων τινὰ φιλόσοφον ὁμοῦ καὶ φιλόθεον, πέμπει πρέσβεις πρός γε τὸν ἐν Ῥώμῃ συμβασιλεύοντα, εἴ που τοιοῦτον ἔχει τινά. καὶ ὃς συνάμα τῷ πάπᾳ πολλὴν περὶ τούτου ποιησάμενος ἔρευναν οὐχ ἕτερον εὗρέ τινα εἰ μὴ τὸν μέγαν Ἀρσένιον διάκονον τηνικαῦτα ὄντα. πέμπουσι λοιπὸν αὐτὸν πρὸς τὸν μέγαν Θεοδόσιον, εἰ καὶ πολλὰ δυσχεραίνων ἦν διὰ τὸ τὴν ἐγκύκλιον παίδευσιν ἅμα τῷ χειροτονηθῆναι κατὰ τὸν νῶτον ποιήσασθαι. ὃν καὶ ἀσμένως ἐδέξατο, καὶ παρέδωκεν αὐτῷ ὡς τέκνα καὶ μαθητάς, οὐ μὴν ὡς βασιλεῖς, τοὺς υἱοὺς αὐτοῦ. ποτὲ γοῦν ἑωρακὼς τοὺς μὲν παῖδας καθημένους μετὰ διαδημάτων, τὸν δὲ Ἀρσένιον ἱστάμενον καὶ διδάσκοντα, μετ' ὀργῆς εἶπεν οὕτω σοι παρήγγειλα; σὺ αὐτοὺς ποιεῖς βασιλεῖς. ὁ θεὸς ἔχει τὴν περὶ τούτων ἐξουσίαν.» καὶ ῥίψας τὰ διαδήματα εἶπε κρεῖσσόν ἐστι τεθνάναι θεοσεβῶς ἢ βασιλεύειν ἀσεβῶς.» μετὰ δὲ ταῦτα τοῦ Ἀρσενίου μελετῶντος ἀποδρᾶσαι, ἐπεὶ συνέβη καὶ μᾶλλον ἡ τοῦ Ἀρκαδίου πληγὴ 476 καὶ ἡ διὰ ταῦτα ἐπιβουλή, φωνὴ πρὸς αὐτὸν γέγονεν Ἀρσένιε, φεῦγε τοὺς ἀνθρώπους, καὶ σώζῃ.» φυγὼν δὲ καὶ ἀπελθὼν ἐν Σκήτει πάλιν ἤκουσε φεῦγε, σιώπα, ἡσύχαζε.» οἱ γοῦν παῖδες βασιλεύσαντες ἔγραψαν αὐτῷ συγχωρῆσαι αὐτοῖς, καὶ μάλιστα τῷ Ἀρκαδίῳ, ὑπὲρ οὗ ἐβούλετο ἀποκτεῖναι διὰ σπαθαρίου αὐτόν. ὁ μέντοι μέγας ἀκούσας καὶ τοῦτο, λάβε δημόσια Αἰγύπτου, καὶ διάνειμαι ὅπου θέλεις,» εἶπεν ἐγὼ τῷ κόσμῳ ἀπέθανον, καὶ οὐκέτι ζῶ· πλὴν ὁ θεὸς συγχωρήσαι ὑμῖν.» Ἡ δευτέρα σύνοδος καὶ ὁ μέγας Θεοδόσιος ἐνίδρυσαν τῷ θρόνῳ Κωνσταντινουπόλεως τὸν μέγαν Γρηγόριον, κἂν ἐξ Αἰγύπτου τινὲς ὑπὸ φθόνου ἐταράχθησαν, ἐφ' ᾧ καὶ ἑκὼν ἐξέστη. ἀντεισάγεται δὲ Νεκτάριος, τὸ μὲν γένος Ταρσεύς, τὴν δὲ τοῦ πραίτωρος ἀρχὴν διέπων, ὃς τὸν μὲν βίον θαυμαστός, ἀβάπτιστος δὲ μέχρι τότε. καὶ ὁ μὲν συγκλητικὸς Νεκτάριος προχειρίζετο, ὁ δὲ Μακεδόνιος ἀναθεματίζετο. Ἐκ Κωνσταντινουπόλεως τοῦ μεγάλου Θεοδοσίου ἀπαίροντος ἐπὶ τὰ κάτω μέρη, στρατιῶται ἐν Θεσσαλονίκῃ εἰσελθόντες διά τινα χρείαν ἀνταρσίαν ἐποίησαν, ἐφ' ᾧ ἀντέστησαν οἱ τῆς πόλεως καὶ λίθοις ἔβαλον. τοῦ γοῦν βασιλέως 477 ζέσαντος ἐπὶ τούτοις τῷ θυμῷ, καὶ τῷ ἐκεῖσε ἐπαρχεύοντι τὰ περὶ τούτων ἐπιτρέψαντος, χιλιάδες ζʹ ἀνῃρέθησαν. διερχόμενος δὲ ὁ βασιλεὺς εἰς τὴν ἐπισκοπὴν Μεδιολάνων (πόλις δὲ Ἰταλίας τὰ Μεδιόλανα) οὐ συνεχωρήθη παρὰ τοῦ θειοτάτου Ἀμβροσίου τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ ἐπιβῆναι, ἀλλ' ἔμεινεν ἀφωρισμένος μῆνας ηʹ, καὶ μόλις διὰ τὴν τοῦ Χριστοῦ γένησιν ἐλύθη τε τῶν δεσμῶν καὶ εἰς κοινωνίαν ἐδέχθη, πρότερον τὰ τοῦ λιβέλλου νομοθετήσας. ἀλλὰ καὶ ἐν τῷ θυσιαστηρίῳ μετὰ ταῦτα οὔμενουν εἰσελθεῖν ἐνεχωρεῖτο· ἡ γὰρ ἁλουργίς» ἔφη βασιλεῖς, οὐ μὴν ἱερεῖς ποιεῖ.» ὅθεν ἐπανελθὼν ὁ βασιλεὺς καὶ παρὰ τοῦ Νεκταρίου ἐρωτηθεὶς δι' ἣν αἰτίαν οὐκ εἰσέρχεται ἐν τῷ θυσιαστηρίῳ, εἶπεν εἷς ἐπίσκοπος ὁ Ἀμβρόσιος.» Ὅτε ἡ τῶν ἐν Ἀντιοχείᾳ ἀνδριάντων καταστροφὴ γέγονε, τότε οἱ τὰς ἀκρωρείας τῶν ὀρέων οἰκοῦντες μοναχοὶ τὴν οἰκείαν ἐπεδείξαντο φιλοσοφίαν. κατῆλθον γὰρ καὶ τοῦ θεοῦ ἀντελάβοντο, λέγοντες οὕτω πρός γε τοὺς ὑπηρέτας τοῦ βασιλέως εἴπατε τῷ κυρίῳ ἡμῶν βασιλεῖ. εἴπερ τοσοῦτον σὺ ἐπὶ τῇ χαλκῇ εἰκόνι καταστραφείσῃ ἐδυσχέρανας, πῶς οἴει τὸν θεὸν ἀρτίως ἔχειν τὴν αὐτοῦ ὁρῶντα εἰκόνα κακῶς οὕτω παρὰ σοῦ πάσχουσαν;» τηνικαῦτα καὶ ἡ τιμία κεφαλὴ τοῦ βαπτι478 στοῦ Ἰωάννου ἐν Κωνσταντινουπόλει διεκομίσθη. ἀλλὰ καὶ τὸν ἐν Ἀλεξανδρείᾳ κτισθέντα ναὸν τοῦ Σαράπιδος καθεῖλε Θεόφιλος. ἐν