QUOTE:

To my brother in Christ Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch Macarius

My dear brother Macarius,

I cordially call you to my new residence in Holy Mouth Atos.
I hope that we will seen soon here in Garden of the Mother of God.

Let the Lord's blessing come to you
In the name of The Father, The Son and Holy Spirit

Your brother in Christ
Patriarch Nikanor

Jeremija, send this letter to Patriarch of Antioch. Find him as fast as you can.

Macarias had left Ravenna some time ago; plans for an Ecumenical Council would have to wait.

He headed east, stopping briefly at his seat in Antioch, before continuing.

He moved swiftly through the well-ordered realm of the Prince of Antioch, then followed several weeks riding east and north through the wilderness.

At last, he sensed he was getting closer to his goal.

Macarias has been [url-http://knights-honor.com/component/option,com_fireboard/Itemid,181/func,view/catid,8/id,94658/#94658]in the Khazar capital of Azgir[/url] for more than a week when the letter of Patriarch Nikanor finally reached him. The monk carrying the letter was somewhat distraught, having first ridden to Ravenna, then sailed to Antioch, then ridden once more into the east and finally arrived at Azgir.

"Well, you have seen much of the world outside, and that experience may come to stand you in good stead; I trust your return journey will be both straighter and quicker!", said Macarias to the monk. "Please take this message back to the Holy Mountain.".

QUOTE:

To my Brother in Christ Orthodox Patriarch of Alexandria Nikanor

Brother Nikanor

Your letter took some time to find me, but find me it has. Your Monk is to be commended for his persistence in pursuing me across half of Europe!

I set out East from Antioch, intending to visit the ancient Cathedral of the Armenians, but instead the Lord directed my path further to the East, and after wandering in the wilderness I now stand as an observer of the great works Archimandrite Nicifor and your Monks do at Azgir! Truly your mission must be blessed by the Lord; to have accomplished so much in so little time.

Some Monks from Rostov have also visited; they are somewhat rough fellows, as befits their northern land, but the fire of the Holy Spirit burns strongly in them.

I understand you are intending to visit your Monastery once it is in a position to be consecrated. I shall shortly come to you at Mount Athos, so perhaps we might make that journey together?

Macarias

Jeremija stepped into my office: "Your Holiness, letter for you from His Buetitude Patriarch of Antioch Macarias."
"Oh, finally he received my letter. Read them, and prepare ink and parchment."
When Jeremija finished the reading I started to dictate:

QUOTE:

To my brother in Christ Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch Macarius

My dear brother Macarius,

I am very happy to see that my letter finally came to you. I am glad to hear that you are in Khazar Khaganate. I hope that you will meet one of my the best monks Archmandrite Nicifor. I have all trust in him and I hope that he will soon be able to finish the monastery of Christ Pantorkator and then I will start my journey to the Khazars Land to sanctify the Monastery, so I call you to come to me in Holy Mouth Atos and when Nicifor finish monastery we together will go to Khazars to sanctify monastery and ordination Archmandrite Nicifor in Bishop of Khazars lands.

I hope that we will see soon

Your brother Nikanor

"Jeremija seal letter and send to Macarias."

After he received the letter from Patriarch Nikanor, Macarias made ready to leave, first penning a response to be sent ahead.

QUOTE:

To my Brother in Christ Orthodox Patriarch of Alexandria Nikanor

Brother + Nikanor

I have indeed met Archmandrite Nicifor, and in fact have spent much of my time here in conversation with him and with the Khazar steward, who is called Halef. Archmandrite Nicifor has everything well in hand and I doubt it will be long before he is able to advise you that the monastery is in readiness for your visit.

I am now starting my journey to you at Mount Athos; I hope to arrive not long after this letter reaches you, and very much look forward to conversing with you and also to worship and contemplation at the Holy Mountain. God willing, I shall see you very soon.

+ Macarias

It had been a long journey over land and more recently, sea. Finally, the ship bearing Macarias was drawing near to Holy Mount Athos.

He stepped ashore at a beach near the Vatopedi monastery, and walked the familiar path up to the main building. Over forty years before, after leaving St. Catherine's in Sinai, Macarias had spent several years here.

He entered the main church; on its ceiling was a fresco venerating the Trinity



Praying beneath this inspiration, he began again to reflect on the matter of Triadology

I was in my cell when one novice from Vatopedi come to monastery of Saint Mathew and start to yell.
"I have news for His Holiness Patriarch Nikanor. His Holiness Patriarch of Antioch Macarias arrived yesterday and He is now in monastery."

I left my cell, and got out. I said to monks to give this boy to eat, and I said him to say my brother that I will come to Vatopedi.

"Jeremija, where are you? Oh, there you are, come to my cell immediately."

I back to my cell, Jeremija followed me. He sat at table and take parchment and ink. I start to dictate:

QUOTE:

To all Priors of monasteries on Athos

My brothers in Christ I want to inform you that His Holiness Patriarch of Antioch Macarias come to our holy land and we will organize Council of Athos here in monastery of Saint Mathew when majority of monks come here.

Your brother in Christ
Patriarch Nikanor

"Sealed this and sent to all priors."

I went out and said to prepare all what I need for trip to Vatopedi, because I want as soon as possible to start my journey to see my Brother. When preparations was finish I start my journey.

I finally came to Vatopedi.

Monks and prior came, and the prior said to me: Your Holiness Patriarch Macarias is expecting You.

Take me to him., I said.

Monks lead me to his cell.

Brother I come as fast as I should. All is ready to move to my monastery.

Macarias opened the door and was surprised (but delighted) to see Patriarch Nikanor himself had come.

After listening to the great news from the East, Macarias responded.

"My Brother, it is indeed joyous to hear of the progress your monks have made in the Lord's name. I am ready to leave with you immediately. But I too have some news, relating to the depredations of the infidels in the Holy Land. Protosebastos Smelgar marches now to join those already in the field (including some militant Brothers of your Order of St. Matthew) but he calls also for an assembly at the City of Constantinople. An assembly of us Rulers Spiritual as well as the Rulers Temporal!

Since it is on the way, we should attend for a time: it will not be too much of a burden to pray at Hagia Sophia I think! And I understand that the Khazar Khagani is currently in the City too, so perhaps she will accompany us when we travel to her homeland."