Teaching (Book of Orsiesius) 50–56

Translated by Claude from Jerome (404); edited by L. Holstenius (1661), reprinted by Brockie (1759) and Migne's Latin translation (404) of the Latin (the Coptic original of Orsiesius is lost except for fragments); neither is shown

That our assembly and communion, by which we are joined to one another, is from God, the apostle taught us, saying: “Do not forget the communion of good works; for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” In the Acts of the Apostles too we read the same: “The multitude of believers had one heart and one soul, and no one called anything his own, but all things were common to them. And with great power the apostles gave testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.” And the Psalmist agreed with the same words, saying: “Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell in unity.” And we who dwell in the cenobia and are bound to one another by mutual love, let us take pains that, as we remember the fellowship of the holy fathers in this life, so hereafter too we may share with them; knowing that the cross is the beginning of our life and teaching, and that we must suffer with Christ, and know that without tribulations and distresses no one attains victory. “Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for when he has been proved he will receive the crown of life.” And again: “He laboured for ever, and he will live to the end.” “If indeed we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified with him.” “I consider,” he says, “that the sufferings of this time are not worthy to be compared with the future glory which will be revealed in us.” And elsewhere it is written: “I thought to know this; it is labour in my sight.” And again: “I have laboured following you, and I have not desired the day of man.” And in another place: “Many are the tribulations of the just, and out of all of them the Lord will deliver them.” And our Lord says in the Gospel: “He who perseveres to the end will be saved.” And elsewhere: “This is the book of the commandments, and the law written for ever. All who keep it will live; but those who forsake it will die. Return, Jacob, and take hold of it; walk in the splendour of its light, and do not give your glory to another, nor what is profitable to you to a foreign nation. Blessed are we, Israel, because what is pleasing to God is known to us. Take courage, my people, memorial of Israel.” And again Isaiah says: “Rejoice, Israel, and keep festival, all you who love it. Be glad, you who trust in it, that you may suck and be filled from the breasts of its consolation.”

Translated by Claude from Jerome (404); edited by L. Holstenius (1661), reprinted by Brockie (1759) and Migne's Latin translation (404) of the Latin (the Coptic original of Orsiesius is lost except for fragments); neither is shown

Let us take care to read and learn the Scriptures, and be ever occupied in meditating on them, knowing what is written: “From the fruit of his mouth a man will be satisfied, and the reward of his labours will be repaid him.” These are what lead us to eternal life, which our Father handed down to us and commanded us to meditate on continually; so that what is written may be fulfilled in us: “These words which I command you today shall be in your heart and in your soul; you shall teach them to your sons, and speak of them sitting in the house and walking on the way, lying down and rising up. Write them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be immovable before your eyes. You shall write them also on the doorposts of your houses and on the thresholds, that you may learn to fear the Lord all the days that you live.” Solomon too, signifying the same, says: “Write them on the breadth of your heart.”

Translated by Claude from Jerome (404); edited by L. Holstenius (1661), reprinted by Brockie (1759) and Migne's Latin translation (404) of the Latin (the Coptic original of Orsiesius is lost except for fragments); neither is shown

Consider with how many testimonies the word of the Lord exhorts us to meditate on the sacred Scriptures, so that what we have turned over in the mouth we may possess in the heart. “It is good for a man when he has lifted the yoke from his youth. He will sit alone and be silent, for he will lift the yoke upon himself; he will give his cheek to him who strikes him; he will be filled with reproaches; for the Lord will not cast off for ever.” And elsewhere it is written: “I remembered the mercy of your youth.” And again: “Rejoice, young man, in your youth, and let your heart exult in the days of your youth, and walk in the ways of your heart without blemish, and in the sight of your eyes; and know that for all these things the Lord will bring you into judgment. Remove fury from your heart and malice from your flesh, for youth and folly are vanity.” And: “Remember your creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years overtake you in which you will say: I have no pleasure in them; before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars are darkened, and the clouds return after the rain; in the day when the keepers of the house tremble, and the men of strength are overthrown, and the grinders cease because they have become few; and those who look through the windows are darkened, and they shut the doors in the street at the weakness of the grinder's voice; and they rise at the voice of the sparrow, and all the daughters of song are brought low. And they look from on high, and there are terrors in the way; and the almond tree flowers, and the locust grows fat, and the caper bursts; because man has gone to the house of his age, and the mourners go about in the street; until the silver cord is broken and the golden necklace is crushed, and the pitcher is broken at the fountain, and the wheel is hindered over the cistern, and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to the Lord who gave it.” In the Gospel too it is written: “Boys, have you any food? Cast to the right side of the boat, and you will find.” And again: “Every boy and youth who does not know today good and evil, they shall enter the good land.” And again: “Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy.” And in the Gospel: “The boy went on and grew and advanced before God and men.” Joshua too, the minister of Moses, was a young man and did not go out of the tabernacle of God. And of David we read written: “a boy of ruddy colour, with beautiful eyes.” Timothy too, while still a boy and a youth, was instructed in the sacred letters, so that by their path he might come to faith in the Lord Saviour. And of Daniel, because he was learned, we read written that he was called a man of desires. Joseph too was most beloved by his father, because he served his commands, and when only seventeen years old regarded his father's precepts as the law of his life.

Translated by Claude from Jerome (404); edited by L. Holstenius (1661), reprinted by Brockie (1759) and Migne's Latin translation (404) of the Latin (the Coptic original of Orsiesius is lost except for fragments); neither is shown

And I have unrolled all these things, so that, considering the lives of the saints, we may not be carried about by every wind of teaching, but may labour, and have their way of life as the example for the purpose of our own life, that we may be God's own people. And let us not grieve the Holy Spirit, in whom we were sealed for the day of redemption; let us not quench him in us, and not despise prophecies; lest perhaps we give no place to the Holy Spirit when he wishes to dwell in us. Let us fear no one but God, who is the avenger and judge of each one's works, and with the holy is holy, and with the innocent man innocent; and he says: “I love those who love me, and those who seek me will find joy.” And elsewhere he says: “If you walk perversely against me, I too will walk perversely against you.”

Translated by Claude from Jerome (404); edited by L. Holstenius (1661), reprinted by Brockie (1759) and Migne's Latin translation (404) of the Latin (the Coptic original of Orsiesius is lost except for fragments); neither is shown

Let us not be angry with one another; even if anger overcomes us, let us not sin in anger, forestalling the setting of the sun with repentance. Let us remember that there is a precept on how often we ought to forgive one who sins against us, and to leave our gift before the altar, which is by no means accepted unless it has been made acceptable by reconciliation; so that we may say: “Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors.” And the apostle commands: “If anyone has a complaint against another, as Christ also forgave us, so do you.” Let us be disciples of the meekness of all the saints, and especially of David, of whom it is written: “Remember, Lord, David and all his meekness”; and of Moses, of whom we read that he was meek above all the earth. And the Lord in the Gospel speaks of the meek and gentle: “Blessed are the meek and gentle of heart, for they shall possess the land.” It is great wisdom to possess meekness and to hear: “Be wise, my son, that my heart may rejoice.” And again: “Be imitators of God, as dearest sons.” And: “Be perfect, as your Father who is in heaven is perfect.” And elsewhere: “Be holy, because I am holy, says the Lord.” [55] Reading these testimonies, let us sow justice for ourselves, that we may reap the fruit of life; let us kindle the light of knowledge, for it is time for us to know God, until the fruit of justice comes to us. “Behold, now is the acceptable time, and the day of salvation.” And truly, according to what is written, “love is the fulfilment of the law,” John agreeing with the same: “This commandment we received from the Father, that you love one another.” And: “He who loves God, let him love his brother also.” And: “Not as Cain, who was of the evil one, killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because his works were evil, but his brother's good. Do not wonder, brothers, if the world hates us; we know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brothers.” Therefore let us love one another.

Translated by Claude from Jerome (404); edited by L. Holstenius (1661), reprinted by Brockie (1759) and Migne's Latin translation (404) of the Latin (the Coptic original of Orsiesius is lost except for fragments); neither is shown

I will say something else to you more boldly, dearest sons. From the time God entrusted to me the flock of your way of life and holy conversation, I have not ceased with tears to admonish and teach each one of you, that you may please God; nor have I held back anything that I felt to be useful to you, so that I may say: “And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, who is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with the saints.” Keep watch, strive with all zeal and care not to forget your purpose, but fulfil what you know you have promised. “For I am already being poured out, and the time of my release is at hand. I have fought the good fight” in part, “I have finished the course, I have kept the faith. For the rest there is laid up for me the crown of justice, which the Lord, the just judge, will give me on that day; and not to me only, but to all who have loved his” justice and have done all the Father's commandments. “The end of the word: hear all; fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole of man; God will bring every work into judgment, whether it be good or evil.” Here ends the teaching of Saint Orsiesius.