Ships arrived in the morning with all the goods and materials for new monastery. Nicifor was looking to the sea when one of his deacons arrived.

“You called, father?”
“Ah, yes”, said Nicifor. “Go to the Khazar’s castle and give this letter to Dorren de Almuhuin of Khazars. Ride fast and don’t turn back. We have to start with work as soon as possible.”

Deacon is slightly bowed and went to do his job.

QUOTE:
To Dorenn de Almhuin, Khagani of Khazar

I am archimandrite Nicifor, emissary of Patriarch of Alexandria Nikanor.

Our ships are anchored in your dock. We wait to you come to us or send guides to lead us to the place where constructions of monastery starts.

Our Patriarch Nikanor sent blessing to you and your people.

In the name of Father, the Son and Holy Spirit.

Servent of God Nicifor

Coming to the end of their journey, Patriarch Macarias and his small company stood on the top of a hill by the Caspian Sea, looking down into the land of the Khazars. They could clearly see the great trading market of Astrachan nearby, the capital at Azgir somewhat more distant, and in the distance the port of Trau.

A sizable fleet of ships bearing Serbian crests could just be made out, docked at the port.

"How intriguing!", thought Macarias, and the company started the descent to Azgir.

Halef was welcoming Patrairch Macarias: Your Holiness, please let me schow you our capital of Azgir. The Khagani Dorenn is en route to the Holy Land to help to regain Jerusalem for the Holy See. The Khagani's orders are clear: You will stay at the Khazar Palace and we shall show you the construction site of the newly planned Orthodox Monastery. The ships with material for the monastery is currently being unloaded in Trau. Halef invited Patriarch Macarias with a gesture to follow him. The group was lead through the Bazars of Azgir and the old city straight into the Palace. Halef showed each person his room. The Patriarch himself was going to reside in the tower room, where a small balcony was overseeing the building site of the new monastery. This way the Patriarch could see first hand how the project was progressing.

His emissary was going to have the room next door to the Patriarch's room.

When Halef had done his job hosting the visitors he retreated through the maze that the old Palace was and was looking forward to very interesting times with fascinating people such as the Patriarch.

Macarias very much enjoyed his stay in the Khazar land. They were honest and straightforward people, these Khazars: a welcome relief from the complex and sometimes vicious politics of the Ancient Church. He had become used to spending the evening meal in discussion with Halef the Khazar steward and Archmandrite Nicifor of the Alexandrine See, who was building the monastery of Christ Pantokrator.

One such evening, Macarias told them something of his misspent youth, and how it ended:

"I was born in the City of Constantinople, the second son of a powerful noble family. As second son, I was not destined to inherit, but instead my parents determined that I should enter the Church."

"Myself, I saw no future in the Church, preferring instead to spend my time in carousing, wagering and wenching. I even secretly contracted a marriage to a noble maiden, forbidden of course for those who are to take the monastic path, and whilst I love and respect my wife, she an I have lived apart for the past forty years, and I am not proud of my behaviour."

"Nevertheless my parents persisted, insisting that I attend to studies both at the Pandidakterion of Theodosius and within the Church. Eventually, they and my parents in law agreed to settle the matter of my marriage, and then had me kidnapped and confined to a ship destined for part unknown."

"My cabin was well appointed, but the nevertheless it was clear that it was a prison as well as accommodation. I had been provided with a copy of the Confessions of S. Augustine of Hippo, and some days into the trip (it becoming clear that my jailers were not susceptible to corruption) I began to read. Augustine was, as your might know, a fellow dissolute who reformed to become one of the great doctors of the Church. Initially I though him a fine fellow for the life he formerly led, and a fool for his reformation!"

"Eventually the ship reached its destination, the great city of Alexandria in Egypt, but it was clear that this was not my final destination. Instead of being permitted to enjoy to possibilities of a new city I was locked in a tower for three weeks, and restricted to an unenticing diet."

"A caravan arrived from the east and my enforced journey continued, heading east and then south. Eventually I arrived at the destination my parents intended for me: the monastery of S. Catherine in Sinai."



"I was introduced to the Abbot, who it emerged was my third cousin, but lest I think to attempt to take advantage of this relation, he made it quite clear that not only was he fully aware of my parents' plan, in fact he was its primary proponent!".

"And so I resigned myself to a life of tedium and misery, forever within the fortified walls of the monastery.".

"The abbot observed this change in my nature and one day he relieved me of my duties, commanding instead that I accompany him to view the monasteries collection of books and artifacts, which is one of the greatest in the world."

"I can scarcely remember any other detail, but it was when first I laid eyes on the great icon of Christ Pantokrator that finally faith found me, by the grace of God, and since that time I have served the Lord."



The story ended, and so to that meal, and the three retired to their chambers.

Some weeks later, Macarias, having received a letter from his brother Patriarch, Nikanor of Alexandria, announced that he must leave to join Patriarch Nikanor at Holy Mount Athos:

"But, my friends, I shall return in the Patriarch's party when he comes to sanctify the monastery."

Nicofor was standing next to the Teodor, young soldier who’s skin become dark from months working and practising on desert’s Sun near Jerusalim and Amman. Before he comes to Caspian Sea to build ships that will much faster transport goods for the constraction of monastery, he was part of Serbian army of Pilgrims who come to Holy Land by order of Tzar Ljudilsav to protect Serbian land and spread the word of our Lord.

“You done a very good job, my son. You spared us a few weeks of travel, maybe more”, said Nicifor to Teodor.

“Thank you. It’s my honor to help you in this noble deed you are doing, crossing half of a world to teach this people our religion.”

Nicifor smiled. “That’s path I choose. I thank God every day because he help me to see, that this is my only truth path, in praying and teaching other how to pray, not in killing enemies and leading armies how I think at first. Meybe you will realize that one day, too. Who knows.”

Winter comes to Khazar’s land, temperature get’s lower and lower with every new day. Nicifor was standing next to Teodor, watching how builders are finishing their work on the top of the church of Christ Pantokrator. Church looked magnificent on evening sun, lot of work still need to be done, but Nicifor was sure that everything will be done on time and without any bigger problem.

“So, they called for a Jihad?”, said Nicifor.

“Yes, and I need to return to Palestine to fight with my army. Vlastelin Popke calls me back from my task here. You will still have enough men to protect monastery and workers from anyone who wants to steal our goods.”

“Very well then, if we are safe you can go now. God bless you, son. But, know I still think you do not need to start killing between each other to prove your faith. There are much better ways for something like that. Just look at all these workers who are working on this cold weather and you will understand.”

Nicifor was sitting in his tent, in the west side of the camp half mile away from monastery church. He was writing a letter to Patriarch Nikanor.

QUOTE:
To His Most Divine Beatitude the Pope and Patriarch of the Great City of Alexandria, Libya, Pentapolis, Ethiopia, all the land of Egypt, all Africa and all Serbian land, Father of Fathers, Shepherd of Shepherds, Prelate of Prelates, thirteenth of the Apostles, and Judge of the Ecumene Nikanor,

Work is going very well so far, your Excellency. We already finish building of church, now we start painting outside of a church. Your artist Mihailo and Evtimije came from Greece, they already finish frescos on the north side of a church, if they continue working so fast and so good I expect them to finish before spring.

For a few days, builders will start building residence for monks. As we talk before my coming here, I think everything will be finish before end of the summer. You should send more pilgrims to help us, so we can baptized more people. I don’t have enough priests and monks to send them to every part of Khazar’s land, especially because of this cold weather and lots of snow who’s falling for days.

Servant of God Nicifor

"Soldier, come.", said Nicifor. "Get this letter to Atos, for Patriarch Nikanor. For his eyes only."

The secretary of the Khagani looked out of the palace's window. Snow has settled in and siberian cold was smothering the country below. The church and Monastery of St. Matthews was taking shape, building and construction was going forward at a fast pace.

The Khagani and lots of her knights were in Byzanz on a tournament hosted by Smelgar, Protosebastos of the Romans. Peace had been promised by Alar, Sultan of the Fatimides for the time of the tournament. However that dog has failed again to keep his promise. He did not expect anything different. Who lies once cannot be trusted again as they say.

He was a very busy man. On one hand he tried to organise the needs of the workers who were building the Monastery and churches. On the other hand he had received a letter to gather ressources for an expeditionary force to meet the Fatimides in Jerusalem.

The Holy City had fallen - that much he had heard already. The situation must be grave in the Holy Land, he thought by himself. The sneak attack by a combined Muslim army made him angry and double his efforts to raise the necessary goods for the Khazarian army. They would march for the Holy Land as soon as they will have made their way back home.

Fatimids, Persians and Sarazens would meet their fate once Dorenn would be back.

Jeremija where are you?
Your Holiness, Jeremija is ill. I can write letter for you. I am hierodeacon Artemije form your stavropirgal monastery at Agios Oros. - said Artemije
I will pray Lord for him. Take parchment and ink and write.

Artemije took parchment and ink and wait to I start to dictate.

QUOTE:

To Archimandrite Nicifor

My brother in Christ, I must to apologize to you because I didn’t earlier answer. I am now in Constantinople where Patriarch Macarias, Bishop Nectarios and I will ordinate new Patriarch of Constantinople. It seems that will be archimandrite Theodossios from north Balkan. As soon as possible I will continue my journey to Khazars lands to sanctify monastery. I hope that my brother Patriarch will join me in my journey.

Now told me what you need to bring you. How construction progress? Write me. Write me all.

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

Patriarch Nikanor