Letter 37: Severus tells Simeon that the monk carrying the letter has not committed the charged offenses and should be released from inhibition.

Severus writes to Simeon about Thelhadin, who had already been examined when the holy bishops were present and who had nevertheless ignored a canonical inhibition and continued to take part in sacred ministry. Severus says that, when the matter reached him, he knew neither the monk's name nor his appearance until the complaint was brought to him. Nor was the monk revealing a hidden matter; everyone was already talking about it, and even members of Bishop Maron's household had heard it and kept their distress to themselves. For that reason, Severus asks Simeon to release the monk who carries the letter from the inhibition laid on him, since the monk has given no real cause for blame. The fault lies instead with the chorepiscopus or periodeutes [a rural bishop or travelling ecclesiastical overseer] who has treated Severus' prohibition with contempt, whether openly or secretly. Such a person may escape human notice, Severus says, but not the eye of God. He leaves the broader inquiry to Simeon, out of respect for Simeon's venerable age and for the zeal he has already shown in defending the orthodox faith. But the immediate request is clear: release the monk, because he has not committed the sins charged against him. As for the matters that brought the deacon Stephen to Simeon, Simeon should handle them reasonably and fittingly, so that the disturbances already stirred up may be healed rather than left festering. That, Severus says, will bring him real praise before God and before people.

Thelhadin, who had previously been tried by us at a time when the saintly bishops were here, and themselves also joined us in the examination, had treated the canonical inhibition with contempt and presumed to take part in the sacred ministry. When I learned this, I judged it right to send and tell your love of God that, as God is witness, I did not even know the very name of this monk, nor was I acquainted with his personal appearance, until I learned it nor was it he who disclosed a fact that was hidden: for it was already being whispered by everyone. Whence those of the house of the God-loving bishop Maron also had learned it before this came to the knowledge of my vileness, and they were distressed in themselves, and did not reveal * it or tell it out: but they concealed the distress and kept it to themselves, as the truth is witness. It is therefore the duty of your love of God to release the man from his inhibition, seeing that it is without cause, and he gave no handle for blame against him. For the chorepiscopus or periodeutes, whom we just now mentioned, whether it is openly or secretly that he presumes to transgress the law by treating with contempt the inhibition from us, in the same way and without any difference rouses the wrath of God. For, though a man escape men's eyes, he cannot escape the eye that sees everything. Let such a man hear also from the singing prophet, "He that planted the ears, e. the name. ^. doth He not hear? or He that created the eyes, doth He not perceive? " ^ Let this therefore be a matter for inquiry, and for your consideration: for our part, bound as we are by respect for your venerable age, we commit everything to you: for I know that, as you have undergone a contest on behalf of the orthodox faith, and have shown great concern on behalf of accuracy in this respect, so you will show similar concern m the case of the canons. But for the present please release from his inhibition the deyout monk whom we have many times mentioned, who brings you this letter; since, to say the truth, he has not committed any of - the sins with which you have charged him. As to the matters ' that were the cause of the deyout deacon Stephen coming to you, do your diligence to handle them as befits you and is reasonable, in order that none of the troubles which have been stirred up may remain without healing and without cure. This will bring you no small praise both in the sight of God and in the sight of men.