The Life and Deeds of the Ever-Remembered Despot Stefan

a cross were crucified the Father (and) the Son, and the rest (in like manner); these (icons) they sent to the Despot. He, as (if he were) in a dream, did not look upon them (and) ordered that each icon be marked and that they be distributed among the city churches. There had come, feigning madness, a certain (man) from the Moesian side, whose deeds bore witness that (he) was a secret servant of God; (he) walked day and night about the city (and) bitterly lamented himself: "O, woe and alas for me," he cried - until he came (even) to the Despot's house. (The Despot) gave him alms, (which) he was wont to give to beggars. Lest anyone doubt this, let us remember that Jesus who, before the destruction of Jerusalem, in the time of Titus (Caesar), walked day and night and cried: "A voice from the east, a voice from the west, a voice from the four winds, a voice (directed) against Jerusalem and the Temple (of Jerusalem), a voice directed against wives and brides, a voice against all his people"; (him) they handed over to the governor, and while they scourged him, he cried: "Jerusalem, Jerusalem!" The governor Albinus, a Roman, thinking that he had gone mad, released (him). And thus he prophesied also of himself: "A stone from a sling shall strike him and he shall die." Or the voice which the priests heard at the Feast of Unleavened Bread¹⁴⁷: "I will no longer be here with you," announcing beforehand that the word which God spoke to Solomon would be set aside: "Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place."¹⁴⁸ Or the comet star like a sword, when the doors of the great church opened of themselves, though twenty men were needed to close them. All this was (thus) and (thus) came to an end. (The Despot's) people went into dispersion - to the west and east, (to the) north and south (fleeing) from the bloody events. And we received a command which exceeds our strength, from the patriarch of the Serbian and Maritime lands, the most holy kyr Nikon, who came there at that time, (to write this Life), (and also) from the military commander and (from) the other chosen men (we received this order); (and) since such were the times then, we resolved to undertake (it). In the fourth year after his /the Despot's/ departure to the Lord, he himself appeared and threatened as (with some) punishment if (this) were not fulfilled. After this, when I was in exile with all my own, he appeared in my house, where I was unworthy to receive him, commanding me to fulfill what I had promised. And therefore, although (our) powers are small, we have labored to set forth (the Despot's) life. If there are some who know better of him, because they were (with him), or are very learned and of keen mind, that is truly good. Since to this day no one has troubled (to find in this work) any deficiencies or (anything) superfluous, unnecessary or crudely (said), let everything (later, if need be) be set in its proper place.

93. Having arrived, then, as at (some) harbor, and having recovered from the faintness (that came) from grief for this (Despot Stefan), let us cry aloud: Rejoice, good fulfiller of the commandments of God; rejoice, (thou) who didst govern earthly (things) in radiant manner; rejoice, terrible, lightning-swift arrow (that thou wast) to the disobedient; rejoice, sweet hearing for the sincerely humble; rejoice, (thou who) didst accomplish (all things) most wisely, new Solomon; rejoice, ineffable giver of alms; rejoice, open right hand,