The Life of Severus

— It is not as if I am a messenger or one who commands those who have been built up by treachery that I have come to you. Rather, my soul is sick, as I said, because some of those who read with simplicity are afraid of those things in which they seek reassurance because of this holy man. But if you have concern for the truth, as you do, and for the conduct of this righteous man from his youth for the glory of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ, in whom rest those who have served in the priesthood and in the simple philosophy, then teach me from which city he is, where he dwelt, and to which family he belongs, and those things that are important. If you know these things, and when he was counseled, how he behaved, and how he was disciplined from his youth for the sake of God—for that slanderer has insulted him, not only regarding his life and his conduct, but he also says that from early on he served evil demons and worshipped idols. He says, in fact: "He was also found offering pagan sacrifices in Phoenicia, at the time when he was learning the liberal arts original: "free studies" and the laws."

— But, if someone from the beginning slanders the life and actions of others...