The story of John and the young robber

And so that you may take courage, having truly repented in this way, that a worthy hope of salvation remains for you, listen to a story that is not a story, but a true account handed down about John the apostle and preserved in memory. For after the tyrant died, John returned from the island of Patmos to Ephesus. He used to go out, when invited, to the neighboring regions of the Gentiles, in some places to appoint bishops, in others to fit together whole churches, in others to choose by lot one of those indicated by the Spirit. So he came also to one of the cities not far away, whose name some even mention, and after refreshing the brothers in other matters, he looked at the appointed bishop and saw a young man able in body, pleasing in appearance, and fervent in soul. "This one," he said, "I entrust to you with all earnestness, before the church and Christ as witness." The bishop accepted him and promised everything, and again John insisted on the same things and bore witness. Then John departed for Ephesus, and the bishop took the young man entrusted to him home, nourished him, kept him close, cherished him, and finally baptized him. After this he relaxed his greater care and watchfulness, since he had set upon him the perfect safeguard, the seal of the Lord. But the young man seized freedom before the right time, and certain idle and dissolute companions of his own age, familiar with evils, corrupted him. First they drew him in through lavish banquets. Then they took him along when they went out at night for robbery, and then they demanded that he join them in something greater. He gradually grew accustomed to it, and because of the greatness of his nature he bolted like an unbridled and strong horse leaving the straight road and biting the bit, and was carried all the more violently toward the pits. Despairing completely of salvation in God, he no longer planned anything small, but since he had already perished once, he resolved to suffer the same fate as the others. Taking these very companions and forming a band of robbers, he was a ready robber chief, the most violent, the most murderous, the most savage. Time passed, and when some need arose they called John back. When he had settled the other matters for which he had come, he said, "Come now, bishop, give back to us the deposit which I and Christ entrusted to you before the church over which you preside, as witness." The bishop was at first astonished, thinking he was being falsely accused about money which he had not received, and he could neither believe about what he did not have nor disbelieve John. But when John said, "I demand the young man and the soul of the brother," the bishop groaned from deep within and wept a little, and said, "He is dead." "How, and by what death?" "He is dead to God," he said. "For he went away wicked and ruined and, in sum, a robber, and now instead of the church he has seized the mountain with a band like an army." The apostle tore his clothing and struck his head with a great lamentation. "A fine guard," he said, "I left for the soul of the brother! But let a horse be ready for me now, and let someone be my guide on the road." He rode out, just as he was, straight from the church. When he came to the place, he was seized by the robbers' lookout, neither fleeing nor resisting, but crying out, "This is why I have come: lead me to your chief." The chief was waiting, armed as he was. But when he recognized John approaching, he turned in shame to flee. John pursued him at full speed, forgetting his own age, crying out, "Why do you flee from me, child, from your own father, the naked, the old man? Have mercy on me, child; do not be afraid. You still have hopes of life. I will give an account to Christ for you. If it is necessary, I will willingly endure your death, as the Lord did for us. For you I will give my own life in exchange. Stop, believe: Christ sent me." When the young man heard this, he first stood looking down. Then he threw away his weapons. Then, trembling, he wept bitterly. When the old man approached, he embraced him, defending himself with groans as best he could and being baptized a second time with his tears, concealing only his right hand. But John, pledging and swearing that he had found forgiveness for him from the Savior, praying, falling on his knees, kissing that very right hand as cleansed by repentance, led him back to the church. And with abundant prayers he interceded for him, with constant fastings he struggled alongside him, and with varied consolations of words he soothed his mind, and he did not leave, as they say, until he had restored him to the church, giving a great example of true repentance and a great sign of regeneration, a visible proof of resurrection.

The angels rejoice with radiant ones, singing hymns, opening the heavens. And before all things the Savior himself comes to meet them, welcoming them, offering light without shadow, without ceasing, leading them into the bosom of the Father, into eternal life, into the kingdom of heaven. Let a person believe these things, both the disciples of God and God as guarantor, the prophecies, the gospels, the apostolic words. Living with these and giving ear to them and practicing their works, at the very moment of departure he will see the end and the demonstration of the teachings. For the one who receives the angel of repentance here will not repent then, when he leaves the body, nor will he be put to shame when he sees the Savior coming with his own glory and his army. He does not fear the fire. But if someone chooses to continue sinning continually in pleasures and prefers the luxury here to eternal life, and turns away when the Savior offers forgiveness, let him no longer blame God or wealth or his fall, but his own soul, which perishes willingly. But to the one who looks toward salvation and longs for it and asks with shamelessness and force, the good Father in the heavens will grant the true purification and the unchangeable life. To him, through the child Jesus Christ, the Lord of the living and the dead, and through the Holy Spirit, be glory, honor, power, eternal majesty, both now and to generations of generations and to the ages of ages. Amen.