Letter of a convalescent to Bishop Taurinos asking for prayers TM 140555Apollonopolis (?)VI - VII

[recto] [That letter] reached me while I was in this state of mine, in which [our life] depends on it. I did as the one who [said: 'Arise, you] who sleep, and cease (from being among) the dead, and Christ will give you light.' For truly, my brother, [...] I was nearly dead in the severity of the illness. [...] For seventeen days I was first ill [...] I was about to die. When I recovered a little, behold, this is the third day [that] I have eaten again, while a great [...] my body [...]. I beseech you to make use of some [...] before God, who has the power to [heal (me)], so that he may reveal his compassion [...] and his great forgiveness upon my [...] and grant me healing, so that I may see the Ark of God again and its wonders, if he is pleased. It is a joy that is all the more excellent when the Ark of God deigns to enter the house of Abiddara; not only will the house receive blessing, but everyone who is around it [will be] filled with its blessing, because every healing comes through it. For every good thing is its own, and every beautiful thing comes from it. I greet your holiness with all my heart, until God grants us to see one another face to face according to its promise. And we greet all those who are with you; those who are with me also prostrate themselves before your God-loving holiness, and especially the blessed brother. The great blessings which your love sent, we received them with great thanks. May the Lord bless you and add to you every good thing. † Farewell in the Lord. The holy Trinity. † [verso] Deliver to my beloved brother, the most holy [and] most God-loving Apa Taurinos, bishop, from [...]