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Barlaam and Ioasaph
by St。 John of Damascus
It is not known where or when this story was written； but it is believed to have been translated into Greek （possibly from a Georgian original） sometime in the 11th Century A。D。 Although the ultimate author is usually referred to as 〃John the Monk〃； it has been traditionally ascribed to St。 John of Damascus。
BARLAAM AND IOASAPH
AN EDIFYING STORY FROM THE INNER LAND OF THE ETHIOPIANS； CALLED THE LAND OF THE INDIANS； THENCE BROUGHT TO THE HOLY CITY； BY JOHN THE MONK （AN HONOURABLE MAN AND A VIRTUOUS； OF THE MONASTERY OF SAINT SABAS）； WHEREIN ARE THE LIVES OF THE FAMOUS AND BLESSED BARLAAM AND IOASAPH。
INTRODUCTION
〃As many as are led by the Spirit of God they are sons of God〃 saith the inspired Apostle。 Now to have been accounted worthy of the Holy Spirit and to have become sons of God is of all things most to be coveted； and； as it is written； 〃They that have become his sons find rest from all enquiry。〃 This marvellous； and above all else desirable； blessedness have the Saints from the beginning won by the practice of the virtues； some having striven as Martyrs； and resisted sin unto blood； and others having struggled in self…discipline； and having trodden the narrow way； proving Martyrs in will。 Now； that one should hand down to memory the prowess and virtuous deeds of these； both of them that were made perfect by blood； and of them that by self…denial did emulate the conversation of Angels； and should deliver to the generations that follow a pattern of virtue； this hath the Church of Christ received as a tradition from the inspired Apostles； and the blessed Fathers； who did thus enact for the salvation of our race。 For the pathway to virtue is rough and steep； especially for such as have not yet wholly turned unto the Lord； but are still at warfare； through the tyranny of their passions。 For this reason also we need many encouragements thereto； whether it be exhortations； or the record of the lives of them that have travelled on the road before us； which latter draweth us towards it the less painfully； and doth accustom us not to despair on account of the difficulty of the journey。 For even as with a man that would tread a hard and difficult path； by exhortation and encouragement one may scarce win him to essay it； but rather by pointing to the many who have already completed the course； and at the last have arrived safely。 So I too； 〃walking by this rule；〃 and heedful of the danger hanging over that servant who； having received of his lord the talent； buried it in the earth； and hid out of use that which was given him to trade withal； will in no wise pass over in silence the edifying story that hath come to me； the which devout men from the inner land Of the Ethiopians； whom our tale calleth Indians； delivered unto me； translated from trustworthy records。 It readeth thus。
I。
The country of the Indians； as it is called； is vast and populous； lying far beyond Egypt。 On the side of Egypt it is washed by seas and navigable gulphs； but on the mainland it marcheth with the borders of Persia； a land formerly darkened with the gloom of idolatry； barbarous to the last degree； and wholly given up to unlawful practices。 But when 〃the only… begotten Son of God； which is in the bosom of the Father；〃 being grieved to see his own handiwork in bondage unto sin； was moved with compassion for the same； and shewed himself amongst us without sin； and； without leaving his Father's throne； dwelt for a season in the Virgin's womb for our sakes； that we might dwell in heaven； and be re…claimed from the ancient fall； and freed from sin by receiving again the adoption of sons； when he had fulfilled every stage of his life in the flesh for our sake； and endured the death of the Cross； and marvellously united earth and heaven； when he had risen again from the dead； and had been received up into heaven； and was seated at the right hand of the majesty of the Father； whence； according to his promise； he sent down the Comforter； the Holy Ghost； unto his eyewitnesses and disciples； in the shape of fiery tongues； and despatched them unto all nations； for to give light to them that sat in the darkness of ignorance； and to baptize them in the Name of the Father； and of the Son； and of the Holy Ghost； whereby it fell to the lot of some of the Apostles to travel to the far…off East and to some to journey to the West…ward； while others traversed the regions North and South； fulfilling their appointed tasks then it was； I say； that one of the company of Christ's Twelve Apostles； most holy Thomas； was sent out to the land of the Indians； preaching the Gospel of Salvation。 〃The Lord working with him and confirming the word with signs following；〃 the darkness of superstition was banished； and men were delivered from idolatrous sacrifices and abominations； and added to the true Faith； and being thus transformed by the hands of the Apostle； were made members of Christ's household by Baptism； and； waxing ever with fresh increase； made advancement in the blameless Faith and built churches in all their lands。
Now when monasteries began to be formed in Egypt； and numbers of monks banded themselves together； and when the fame of their virtues and Angelic conversation 〃was gone out into all the ends of the world〃 and came to the Indians； it stirred them up also to the like zeal； insomuch that many of them forsook everything and withdrew to the deserts； and； though but men in mortal bodies； adopted the spiritual life of Angels。 While matters were thus prospering and many were soaring upward to heaven on wings of gold； as the saying is； there arose in that country a king named Abenner； mighty in riches and power； and in victory over his enemies； brave in warfare； vain of his splendid stature and comeliness of face； and boastful of all worldly honours； that pass so soon away。 But his soul was utterly crushed by poverty； and choked with many vices； for he was of the Greek way； and sore distraught by the superstitious error of his idol…worship。 But； although he lived in luxury； and in the enjoyment of the sweet and pleasant things of life； and was never baulked of any of his wishes and desires； yet one thing there was that marred his happiness； and pierced his soul with care； the curse of childlessness。 For being without issue； he took ceaseless thought how he might be rid of this hobble； and be called the father of children； a name greatly coveted by most people。 Such was the king； and such his mind。
Meanwhile the glorious band of Christians and the companies of monks； paying no regard to the king's majesty； and in no wise terrified by his threats； advanced in the grace of Christ； and grew in number beyond measure； making short account of the king's words； but cleaving closely to everything that led to the service of God。 For this reason many； who had adopted the monastic rule； abhorred alike all the sweets of this world； and were enamoured of one thing only； namely godliness； thirsting to lay down their lives for Christ his sake； and yearning for the happiness beyond。 Wherefore they preached； not with fear and trembling； but rather even with excess of boldness； the saving Nam