St. John Chrysostom LETTERS TO OLYMPIAS : Index.

St. John ChrysostomLETTERS TO OLYMPIAS : C.5.LETTER 5To OlympiasNothing strange or unnatural has befallen your Piety, but only whatis quite natural and consonant to reason, that by a constantsuccession of trials the sinews of your soul should become morebraced, and your zeal and energy for the struggle increased, and thatyou should therefrom derive much joy. For such is the nature ofaffliction;--when it lays hold of a brave and noble soul, this is what itis wont to effect. And as the fire makes the piece of gold, when it isapplied to it, of better proof: so also affliction when it visits goldencharacters renders them purer and more proven. Wherefore alsoPaul said "affliction worketh patience, and patience probation." Forthese reasons I also rejoice and leap for joy, and derive the greatestconsolation of this my solitude from a consideration of thy fortitude.On this account, even though innumerable wolves encompass thee,and many crowds of wicked doers, I fear nothing; but I pray both thatexisting temptations may be suppressed, and that others may notoccur, thus fulfilling the Lord's precept who bids us pray that wemay not enter into temptation; but if it should be permitted to happenagain I have good confidence concerning thy golden soul, whichacquires therefrom the greatest riches for itself. For by what meanswill they be able to terrify you, who dare everything to their owndestruction? Will it be by loss of goods? But I know well that theseare counted by thee as dust and cheaper than dirt. Or shall it be byexpulsion from country and home. But you know how to dwell ingreat and populous cities as if they were uninhabited, spending thewhole of your time in quietness and rest, and treading worldlyambitions under foot. Or do they threaten death? This also you haveconstantly practiced by anticipation, and if they should drag you toslaughter, they will be dragging a body which is already dead. Whatneed to speak more at length? No one will be able to do anything tothee of this kind which he will not find you have already abundantlymade yourself undergo. For by always walking in the narrow andstrait path, you have trained yourself in all these things. Whereforehaving practised this most beautiful art in the course of yourtraining, you now shine forth the more gloriously in the contestitself, not only being in no wise disturbed by the things which arehappening, but rather elated, and leaping and dancing for joy. Forthe contests which you have anticipated in your training you nowfile:///D|/Documenta%20Chatolica%20Omnia/99%20-%20Pr...i/mbs%20Library/001%20-Da%20Fare/01/ToOlympias-5.htm (1 of 2)2006-05-31 21:41:27