En lector, librum damus vere aureum, planeque scholasticum, quo continentur haec

Concerning Nilus the Scholastic. A volume of Greek epigrams.

A four-line stanza by Nilus the Scholastic is read in the fourth book of the great volume of Greek Epigrams, which was printed in folio at Basel, accompanied by the brief but highly learned commentaries of Ioannes Brodaeus. We have chosen not to include it here, because as it was written about Satyrs, it did not seem to be of great importance.

Book 14, Chapter 54.

Furthermore, the following is read in Nicephorus regarding Nilus of Constantinople in his Ecclesiastical History: Constantinople was the fatherland of the admirable Nilus, and he was also a prefect there due to the remarkable nobility of his lineage. Possessing abundance in power and wealth, he nonetheless preferred the ascetic life, seeing that, following the example of the divine David, he preferred to be cast out to the house of God rather than to dwell in the tabernacles of sinners. And since he excelled in the power of eloquence and was strong in the sinews of divine grace,

Writings of Nilus of Constantinople.

he left behind various writings that instruct in the exercise of the monastic life, composed with such words and sentiments that they refresh the reader’s soul with incredible grace. He also wrote of the death and martyrdom of the divine fathers on Mount Sinai with such eloquence and feeling that one may sufficiently gather from it how exceptional a man he was in both doctrine and virtue. In that work, he also commemorates the events of his own life and those of his children, miserably exposing their captivity as if in a tragedy, when the barbarian Blemmyes a nomadic people of ancient Nubia caused great slaughter in their raid. He left this little work to students as a kind of spiritual delight.

A book written to those who follow Greek superstition, the subject of which was treated in 12 books by Theodorus, Bishop of Cyrene, which still exist and are filled with the doctrine and knowledge of good things. To this Nilus, the present little book of exhortations is to be ascribed. The subject of the exhortations of Bishop Nilus.

He also published other excellent books, not devoid of spiritual grace, among which I think the one he wrote to the followers of Greek superstition holds the first place. And again, those composed by him to Eulogius. He collected certain chapters, some treated more diffusely, but many more concisely, in which he set forth spiritual fruit, just like nectar or some ambrosia, placed before the eyes so that it could be easily perceived. When he had passed from this life, the later Justin removed him and placed him in the foundation of a more sacred table, in the temple that was built by the apostles Peter and Paul themselves for the Orphanotrophium. We would not hesitate to ascribe to this Nilus the little book of Paraeneseon exhortations/admonitions which we have translated, if others did not also make him a martyr, which we have followed, and if they did not also write that he flourished in the year 309 after the birth of Christ, a matter we leave as uncertain. We only affirm to students that it is an elegant and pious little book, which sets forth precepts regarding piety, honesty, and virtue, and finally an ...information on the formation of manners and the whole life pleasing to God, enclosed in brief sentences and sayings like certain oracles.