The General Epistle

joining the completion of the twelve. Among those persecuted for the sake of justice, he endured persecutions and various trials from the adversaries of truth. Among those glorified, he was honored by God and by men in life. His death also became precious before the Lord, according to the highest saints, of whom the prophet speaks. He himself, the ship of faith, through the sea of this world, steered directly by the wind of the Spirit with truth and virtue, arrived unharmed at the harbor, calm and without waves. He left us in this arduous and troublesome life, in the midst of snakes and scorpions, and various biting beasts, visible and invisible. And not only this, but also under the weight of burdens, spiritual and physical. Released from these three [burdens], he himself flew to the intelligible stations, having entrusted to our weak and powerless person the lifting of the weight of the souls of all the Churches upon our back.

And being in these circumstances, I am terrified and trembling, bringing to mind the fear and awe of God's judgment, which is spoken of in the Old and New Testaments regarding shepherds and leaders. So much so that I do not give sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids, as my soul is tormented by this fear.

For although they are divided into many and various names and titles, there is one work of the stewardship of souls, which is called Catholicosate, Patriarchate, Episcopacy, and Priesthood; and one is greater or lesser than the other. For he who is the greatest among them is under the heaviest of burdens, as he encompasses everything. Yet, according to the work, the titles are the same for each, for the Priesthood and the High Priesthood.

For they are called parents, instructors, vardapets teachers, physicians, seers, shepherds, leaders, mediators, judges, and many other titles, by which the mysteries of godliness are fulfilled and the laws of the Church of Christ remain whole.

And now, how can one who has become a stranger to the mother be a parent? Or an instructor, according to Paul, who says, "My children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you"? And again, just as