ΕΠΙΣΤΟΛΗ Βʹ
Peace in the Journey
Chrysostom reassures Olympias that her anxiety about his journey is unfounded, describing his restored health and the care of his companions.
But put this fear of yours about our journey to rest as well. For, as I already wrote you, my body has gained health and even greater strength, since the air has served us well, and those escorting us are making every effort—beyond what we even wish—to give us rest, and are making this their work.
The Letter from Nicaea
Chrysostom notes that he is sending this letter from Nicaea on July third, marking the time and place of writing.
As I was about to leave Nicaea, I sent off this letter, on the third of July.
Letters of Mutual Encouragement
Chrysostom urges Olympias to write frequently about both her physical health and her emotional recovery, promising that such letters will inspire him to write more often, and expresses his grief at not having received a letter from her.
So write to us continually about your health. For my lord Pergamius, in whom I have great confidence, will help you with this.1 Don't only tell us about your health, but also that the cloud of your despondency has been scattered. For if we learn this through your letters, we will write more often too, as though we are accomplishing something more by what we write. So if you want to enjoy frequent letters, make it clear to us that the frequency does some real good, and you will see us providing this generously. For even now, though many people who could carry letters have left here, I was deeply grieved not to receive a letter from your Honor.2
Read the original Greek
Ἀλλὰ καὶ τοῦτό σοι λελύσθω τὸ δέος τὸ τῆς ὁδοιπορίας τῆς ἡμετέρας. Καὶ γάρ, ὅπερ ἔφθην ἐπιστείλας, τὸ σῶμα ἡμῖν εἰς ὑγίειαν καὶ πλείονα ῥῶσιν ἐπέδωκε, τοῦ τε ἀέρος καλῶς ἡμῖν κεχρημένου, τῶν τε ἀπαγόντων ἡμᾶς πᾶσαν ποιουμένων σπουδήν, ὑπὲρ ὃ βουλόμεθα, ἀναπαύειν ἡμᾶς καὶ ἔργον τοῦτο ποιουμένων. Μέλλων δὲ ἀπὸ τῆς Νικαίας ἐξιέναι ταύτην διεπεμψάμην τὴν ἐπιστολήν, τρίτῃ μηνὸς τοῦ Ἰουλίου. Γράφε οὖν ἡμῖν συνεχῶς περὶ τῆς ὑγιείας τῆς σῆς. ∆ιακονήσεται γάρ σοι πρὸς τοῦτο ὁ δεσπότης μου Περγάμιος ᾧ σφόδρα τεθάρρηκα. Μὴ περὶ τῆς ὑγιείας μόνον ἡμῖν δήλου τῆς σῆς, ἀλλὰ καὶ περὶ τοῦ ἐσκεδάσθαι σοι τῆς ἀθυμίας τὸ νέφος. Εἰ γὰρ μάθοιμεν διὰ τῶν γραμμάτων τῶν σῶν τοῦτο, καὶ συνεχέστερον ἐπιστελοῦμεν, ὡς ἀνύοντές τι πλέον δι' ὧν γράφομεν. Εἰ τοίνυν ἐπιθυμεῖς πυκνότητος ἀπολαύειν ἐπιστολῶν, δήλου σαφῶς ἡμῖν ὅτι γίνεταί τι πλέον ἀπὸ τῆς πυκνότητος καὶ ὄψει μετὰ δαψιλείας τοῦτο παρέχοντας.
Ἐπεὶ καὶ νῦν, πολλῶν παρελθόντων ἐντεῦθεν τῶν δυναμένων γράμματα κομίσαι, μὴ δεξάμενος παρὰ τῆς σῆς τιμιότητος ἐπιστολὴν σφόδρα ἤλγησα.
Notes
Letters to Olympias (Letters of St. John Chrysostom) companion
Rule yourself daily, not just on retreat
Chosen Portion turns the mirror into a daily practice — a short reading and examining question each morning before you lead anyone.
Chosen Portion makes the mirror daily: the ruler-formation questions this collection preserves become a two-minute morning examination in the app.
- A daily formation reading drawn from centuries of counsel to those in authority
- One pointed examination question a day — two minutes, before the meetings start
- Track your practice over weeks and watch the examined life become a habit