CopticWiki

Life of St. Hilaria

Preface

ⲃⲓⲟⲥ ⲛ̄ⲙⲁⲕⲁⲣⲓⲁ ϩⲗⲗⲁⲣⲓⲁ, ϣⲉⲉⲣⲉ ⲙ̄ⲙⲁⲓⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲛ̄ⲣⲣⲟ ⲍⲏⲛⲱⲛ, ⲉⲛⲧϥϩⲓⲥⲧⲟⲣⲓⲍⲉ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟϥ ⲛ̄ϭⲓⲡⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ ⲁⲡⲁ ⲡⲁⲙⲃⲱ, ⲡⲉⲡⲣⲉⲥⲃⲩⲧⲉⲣⲟⲥ ⲛ̄ⲉⲕⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ ⲛ̄ϣⲓⲏⲧ. ⲛ̄ⲧϫⲉⲕ-ⲡⲉⲥⲃⲓⲟⲥ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲛ̄ⲥⲟⲩϫⲟⲩⲧⲟⲩⲉ ⲙ̄ⲉⲃⲟⲧ ⲧⲱⲃⲉ, ϩⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲉⲓⲣⲏⲛⲏ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ. ϩⲁⲙⲏⲛ.

The life of blessed Hilaria, daughter of God-loving emperor Zeno, which saint Apa Pambo, elder of the church of Scetis, has narrated. She concluded her life on the twenty-first day of the month of Tobe, in the peace of God. Amen.

ⲁ-ⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲇⲏⲙⲓⲟⲩⲣⲅⲟⲥ ⲭⲟⲣⲏⲅⲉⲓ ⲛⲁ ⲛ̄ϩⲉⲛⲣⲉϥⲣⲟⲩⲟⲉⲓⲛ, ⲛⲉⲃⲁⲗ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲛⲯⲩⲭⲏ ⲙⲛ̄ⲡⲉⲛⲥⲱⲙⲁ ϩⲓⲟⲩⲥⲟⲡ.

God the creator has provided us illuminators, for the eyes of our souls and our bodies alike.

ⲛⲁ-ⲥⲱⲙⲁ ⲙⲉⲛ ϥⲭⲟⲣⲏⲅⲉⲓ ⲛⲁ ⲙ̄ⲣⲏ, ⲧⲣⲉϥⲣ̄-ⲟⲩⲟⲉⲓⲛ ⲉⲣⲟ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉϩⲟⲟⲩ, ⲁⲩⲱ ⲟⲟϩ, ⲧⲣⲉϥⲣ̄-ⲟⲩⲟⲉⲓⲛ ⲉⲣⲟ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲩϣⲏ. ⲙ̄ⲡⲉϥϩⲱ ⲇⲉ ⲉⲣⲟϥ ⲛⲁⲓ ⲛ̄ϭⲓⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ, ⲁⲗⲗⲁ ϥⲕⲟⲥⲙⲉⲓ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲥⲧⲉⲣⲉⲱⲙⲁ ⲛ̄ϩⲉⲛⲥⲓⲟⲩ ⲛ̄ⲣⲟⲩϩⲉ ⲙⲛ̄ϩⲉⲛⲥⲓⲟⲩ ⲛ̄ϩⲧⲟⲟⲩⲉ, ϯ-ⲙⲁⲉⲓⲛ ⲛⲉⲩⲛⲟⲟⲩⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲩϣⲏ.

For those of the body, he has provided the sun to us, to shine on us by day, and the moon, to shine on us by night. God wasn't satisfied with these, but adorned the firmament with evening stars and morning stars, indicating the hours of the night.

ⲛⲁ-ⲧⲉⲯⲩⲭⲏ ⲇⲉ ϩⲱⲟⲩ ϥⲕⲱ ⲛⲁ ⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲅⲣⲁⲫⲏ ⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ ⲛ̄ⲣⲉϥⲣⲟⲩⲟⲉⲓⲛ, ⲉⲧⲉⲛⲁⲓ ⲛⲉ ⲡⲁⲗⲁⲓⲁ ⲙⲛ̄ⲕⲟⲓⲛⲏ. ϩⲟⲙⲟⲓⲱⲥ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉϥϩⲱ ⲉⲣⲟϥ ⲛⲁⲓ ⲛ̄ϭⲓⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ, ⲁⲗⲗⲁ ϥⲧⲟⲩⲛⲟⲥ ⲛⲁ ⲛ̄ϩⲉⲛⲣⲉϥⲣϩⲙⲙⲉ: ϩⲟⲓⲛⲉ ⲛ̄ⲥⲁϩ, ϩⲉⲛⲕⲟⲟⲩⲉ ⲛ̄ⲣⲉϥⲧⲁϣⲉⲟⲉⲓϣ.

For those of the soul, too, he has left us the illuminating holy scriptures, namely the old and the new. God was likewise not satisfied with these, but set up guides for us: some teachers, others preachers.

ⲕⲁⲗⲱⲥ ⲟⲩⲛ ϥⲉⲓⲣⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲓϩⲉ ⲛ̄ϭⲓⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲡⲉⲛϥⲁⲓⲣⲟⲟⲩϣ. ⲕⲁⲓ ⲅⲁⲣ, ⲙ̄ⲡⲟⲩϣⲱⲫⲉⲗⲉⲓ ⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲫⲓⲗⲟⲥⲟⲫⲟⲥ ⲉⲧϩⲓⲃⲟⲗ ⲛ̄ϭⲓⲛ̄ϣⲁϫⲉ ⲙ̄ⲡⲟⲓⲏⲧⲏⲥ ⲛ̄ⲁⲣⲭⲁⲓⲟⲛ, ⲁⲗⲗⲁ ⲥⲉϣⲓⲛⲉ ⲛ̄ⲥⲁϩⲉⲛϣⲁϫⲉ ⲛ̄ⲃⲣⲣⲉ, ⲕⲁⲧⲁϩⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧⲁ-ⲛ̄ⲁⲑⲏⲛⲁⲓⲟⲥ ϫⲟⲟ ⲙ̄ⲡⲁⲩⲗⲟⲥ. ⲛ̄ⲁϣ ⲛ̄ϩⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧⲛ̄ⲛⲁⲣⲱⲕϩ ⲁⲛ ϩⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲓⲉⲡⲓⲑⲩⲙⲓⲁ ⲙ̄ⲡⲛⲉⲩⲙⲁⲧⲓⲕⲟⲛ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲛⲉⲡⲁϩⲣⲉ ⲉⲧϯ-ⲕⲃⲟ ⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲯⲩⲭⲏ?

Well indeed has God our guardian done in this way. The words of the ancient poets weren't, in fact, found useful to the counter-philosophers, but they seek new words, just like the Athenians said to Paul. How would we not be burning with such spiritual longing for the remedies which relieve the souls?

Beginning

ϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲇⲉ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲩⲟⲉⲓϣ ⲙ̄ⲙⲁⲓⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲛ̄ⲣⲣⲟ ⲍⲏⲛⲱⲛ. ϥⲧⲣⲉ-ⲉⲕⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ ϣⲱⲡⲉ ϩⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲛⲟϭ ⲛ̄ⲕⲁⲧⲁⲥⲧⲁⲥⲓⲥ, ϥⲧⲣⲉϩⲣⲟⲕ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲭⲉⲓⲙⲱⲛ ⲙ̄ⲧⲟⲙⲟⲥ ⲛ̄ⲧϩⲩⲡⲟⲅⲣⲁⲫⲉ ⲉⲣⲟϥ ⲛ̄ϭⲓⲉⲧϩⲁⲧⲉϥϩⲏ, ⲉⲧⲉⲗⲉⲱⲛ ⲡⲉ ⲙⲛ̄ⲁⲩⲣⲏⲗⲗⲓⲁⲛⲟⲥ. ⲡⲁⲓ ⲙⲉⲛ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲣⲉϥϩⲙⲟⲟⲥ ϩⲓϫⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲑⲣⲟⲛⲟⲥ ⲛ̄ⲙⲛ̄ⲧⲣⲣⲟ, ϥⲟⲩⲱⲥϥ ⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲡⲣⲟⲥⲧⲁⲅⲙⲁ ⲙ̄ⲙⲛⲧⲁⲥⲉⲃⲏⲥ, ⲛⲟϭ ⲛ̄ϫⲁⲙⲏ ϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲙⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲏⲥⲩⲭⲓⲁ.

It was the time of the God-loving emperor Zeno. He kept the church in great condition, and brought it calm through the storm of the tome his predecessors subscribed to, namely Leo and Aurelian. When he sat upon the throne of the kingdom, he annulled the ungodly ordinances, and there was great peace and quiet.

ⲣⲣⲟ ⲇⲉ ⲛⲉ-ⲙⲛ̄ⲧϥ̄-ϣⲏⲣⲉ ⲛ̄ϩⲟⲟⲩⲧ ⲛ̄ⲥⲁϣⲉⲉⲣⲉ ⲥⲛⲧⲉ ⲛ̄ⲥϩⲓⲙⲉ ⲙ̄ⲙⲁⲧⲉ. ⲛⲁⲓ ⲇⲉ ϥⲛⲧⲟⲩ ⲉϩⲣⲁⲓ ϩⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲛⲟϭ ⲛ̄ⲉⲡⲓⲥⲧⲏⲙⲏ. ⲛ̄ϣⲟⲣⲡ ⲙⲉⲛ ϥⲧⲥⲁⲃⲟⲟⲩ ⲛ̄ⲥϩⲁⲓ, ⲕⲁⲧⲁⲁⲝⲓⲱⲙⲁ ⲛ̄ⲙⲛⲧⲛⲟϭ. ϩⲟⲙⲟⲓⲱⲥ, ⲡⲉϩⲟⲩⲟ ⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲯⲁⲗⲙⲟⲥ ϥⲧⲣⲉⲁⲡⲟⲥⲧⲏⲑⲓⲍⲉ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟⲟⲩ.

The emperor had no male children aside from two daughters. These he brought up with great knowledge. He first taught them how to write, as was customary for their rank. Likewise, most of the psalms he had them commit to memory.

ⲛⲟϭ ⲇⲉ ⲛ̄ϣⲉⲉⲣⲉ ⲛⲉ-ⲡⲉⲥⲣⲁⲛ ⲡⲉ ϩⲗⲗⲁⲣⲓⲁ. ⲕⲟⲩⲓ ⲇⲉ ⲛⲉ-ⲡⲉⲥⲣⲁⲛ ⲡⲉ ⲑⲉⲟⲡⲓⲥⲧⲏ.

The older daughter's name was Hilaria. The younger one's name was Theopiste.

ⲛⲟϭ ⲇⲉ ⲛ̄ϣⲉⲉⲣⲉ ⲙ̄ⲣⲣⲟ ⲛⲉⲩⲛ̄-ⲟⲩⲛⲟϭ ⲛ̄ⲣⲟⲟⲩϣ ϩⲓϫⲱ ⲣ̄-ⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲟⲥ. ⲙⲁⲗⲗⲟⲛ ⲇⲉ ⲛⲉⲉⲡⲓⲑⲩⲙⲉⲓ ⲙⲛⲧⲁⲡⲟⲧⲁⲕⲧⲓⲕⲟⲥ, ⲉⲧⲉⲙⲛⲧⲙⲟⲛⲁⲭⲟⲥ ⲧⲉ. ⲛⲉⲣ̄-ϩⲟⲧⲉ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲡⲉ ⲃⲱⲕ ⲛⲉⲙⲟⲛⲁⲥⲧⲏⲣⲓⲟⲛ ⲙ̄ⲃⲩⲍⲁⲛⲧⲓⲟⲛ, ϫⲉ ⲛ̄ⲥⲉⲛⲁϣⲟⲡⲥ̄ ⲉⲣⲟⲟⲩ ⲁⲛ ⲉⲧⲃⲉⲛⲉⲥⲉⲓⲟⲧⲉ. ⲛⲉⲩⲛ̄-ⲟⲩⲛⲟϭ ⲛ̄ⲣⲟⲟⲩϣ ϣⲟⲟⲡ ⲛⲁ ϫⲉ ⲟⲩ ⲉⲧⲥ̄ⲛⲁⲁⲁϥ ϣⲁⲛⲧⲉⲉⲓ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲧⲱϩⲙ ⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ ⲛ̄ⲙⲛⲧⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲟⲥ.

The emperor's older daughter was greatly concerned with being a virgin. She had especially desired withdrawal, which is to say, monasticism. She had been afraid to go the monasteries of Byzantium, since she would not be accepted due to her parents. What she'd have to do until she entered the holy calling of virginity was of great concern to her.

Hilaria's 1st Inspiration

ϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲇⲉ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉϩⲟⲟⲩ ⲛ̄ⲕⲩⲣⲓⲁⲕⲏ, ⲁ-ⲣⲣⲟ ⲃⲱⲕ ⲥⲩⲛⲁⲝⲓⲥ ⲙⲛ̄ⲣⲣⲱ ⲙⲛ̄ⲧⲉϥϣⲉⲉⲣⲉ ⲥⲛⲧⲉ.

On the Lord's day, the emperor attended service with the queen and his two daughters.

ⲙⲁⲕⲁⲣⲓⲁ ⲇⲉ ϩⲗⲗⲁⲣⲓⲁ ϥⲓ ⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲥⲃⲁⲗ ⲉϩⲣⲁⲓ ⲡⲉ, ϫⲱ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟ, ϫⲉ

The blessed Hilaria lifted her eyes up to heaven, saying:

ϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ ⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲡⲁⲛⲧⲟⲕⲣⲁⲧⲱⲣ, ⲉϣϫⲉ ⲛⲁⲥⲟⲩⲧⲛ-ⲧⲁϩⲓⲏ ϩⲙ̄ϩⲱⲃ ϯⲛⲁⲃⲱⲕ ⲉⲣⲟϥ, ⲉⲓⲉ ⲙⲁⲣⲥⲱⲧⲙ ϩⲉⲛⲁⲛⲁⲅⲛⲱⲥⲓⲥ ⲡⲣⲉⲡⲉⲓ ⲙ̄ⲡⲁⲥⲕⲟⲡⲟⲥ!

“Lord God Almighty, if you'll guide me to the task I'm headed for, then let me hear verses suited to my goal!”

ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲣⲉⲃⲱⲕ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲉⲕⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ, ⲛ̄ϣⲟⲣⲡ ⲙⲉⲛ ⲥⲱⲧⲙ ϩⲙ̄ⲁⲡⲟⲥⲧⲟⲗⲟⲥ ⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ, ϫⲉ

And when she entered the church, she heard first from the holy apostle:

ϩⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲡⲓⲥⲧⲓⲥ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉ-ⲙⲱⲩⲥⲏⲥ ⲟⲩⲱϣ ⲧⲣⲉⲙⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲉⲣⲟϥ ϫⲉ ϣⲏⲣⲉ ⲛ̄ϣⲉⲉⲣⲉ ⲙ̄ⲫⲁⲣⲁⲱ, ⲉ-ϥⲥⲟⲧⲡⲥ̄ ⲛⲁϥ ϣⲉⲡ-ϩⲓⲥⲉ ⲙⲛ̄ⲗⲁⲟⲥ ⲙ̄ⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ϩⲟⲩⲉⲉⲣⲟ ϫⲓ ⲛ̄ⲁⲡⲟⲗⲁⲩⲥⲓⲥ ⲙ̄ⲛⲟⲃⲉ ⲡⲣⲟⲥⲟⲩⲟⲉⲓϣ, ⲉ-ϥⲉⲡ-ⲛⲟϭⲛⲉϭ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲭ︤ⲥ︥ ϫⲉ ϥⲧⲁⲓⲏⲩ ⲛⲁϩⲣⲁϥ ϩⲟⲩⲉⲛ̄ⲁϩⲱⲱⲣ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ ⲛ̄ⲕⲏⲙⲉ. ⲛⲉϥϭⲱϣⲧ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲉⲧⲛⲁⲧⲱⲱⲃⲉ ⲛⲁϥ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉϥⲃⲉⲕⲉ.

By faith Moses did not wish to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, having preferred to suffer with God's people over partaking in the momentary pleasure of sin, considering Christ's disapproval more valuable to him than all the treasures of Egypt. For he awaited the one who'd give him his reward.

ϩⲟⲙⲟⲓⲱⲥ ⲇⲉ ⲟⲛ ⲛⲉⲕⲁⲑⲟⲗⲓⲕⲟⲛ, ϫⲉ

Likewise, too, the Catholics:

ⲙⲛⲧⲣⲙⲙⲁⲟ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲓⲕⲟⲥⲙⲟⲥ ⲛ̄ϩⲉ ⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲭⲟⲣⲧⲟⲥ, ⲁⲩⲱ ⲡⲉϥⲉⲟⲟⲩ ⲛ̄ϩⲉ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉϩⲣⲏⲣⲉ ⲛ̄ⲭⲟⲣⲧⲟⲥ.

The riches of this world are like grass, and its glory like the flower of the grass.

ϩⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲡⲣⲁⲝⲓⲥ ⲇⲉ ⲟⲛ, ϫⲉ

Likewise, too, from the Acts:

ⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲡⲓⲑⲩⲙⲉⲓ ϩⲁⲧ, ⲟⲩⲇⲉ ⲛⲟⲩⲃ, ⲟⲩⲇⲉ ϩⲟⲓⲧⲉ. ⲛⲧⲱⲧⲛ ⲧⲉⲧⲛ̄ⲥⲟⲟⲩⲛ ϫⲉ ⲁ-ⲛⲉⲓϭⲓϫ ϣⲙϣⲉ ⲛ̄ⲛⲁⲭⲣⲉⲓⲁ ⲙⲛ̄ⲉⲧⲛⲙ̄ⲙⲁ.

I have desired neither silver, nor gold, nor garment. You know that these hands have served my needs and those with me.

ϩⲟⲙⲟⲓⲱⲥ ⲇⲉ ⲟⲛ ϩⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲯⲁⲗⲙⲟⲥ, ϫⲉ

Likewise, too, from the Psalms:

ⲛⲉϥⲟⲩⲱϣ ⲥⲟⲧⲡ ⲛⲟⲩⲃ ⲙⲛ̄ⲱⲛⲉ ⲙ̄ⲙⲉ, ⲉⲧⲛⲁϣⲱϥ, ⲁⲩⲱ ⲥⲉϩⲟⲗϭ ⲉⲃⲓⲱ ⲙⲛ̄ⲙⲟⲩⲗϩ.

His desires are superior to gold and gemstone, which will perish, and sweeter than honey and comb.

ϩⲟⲙⲟⲓⲱⲥ ⲇⲉ ⲟⲛ ϩⲙ̄ⲉⲩⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲓⲟⲛ, ϫⲉ

Likewise, too, from the Gospel:

ⲉⲧⲉⲛ̄ϥⲛⲁⲁⲡⲟⲧⲁⲥⲥⲉ ⲁⲛ ⲛ̄ϩⲱⲃ ⲛⲓⲙ ⲉⲧⲉⲛ̄ⲧⲁϥ ⲛ̄ϥⲟⲩⲁϩϥ̄ ⲛ̄ⲥⲱ ⲙⲛ̄-ϣϭⲟⲙ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟϥ ⲣ̄-ⲙⲁⲑⲏⲧⲏⲥ ⲛⲁ!

Whoever would not give up all that he has and follow me cannot be a disciple of mine!

ϩⲛ̄ⲕⲁⲑⲏⲅⲏⲥⲓⲥ ⲇⲉ ⲟⲛ ⲙ̄ⲉⲡⲓⲥⲕⲟⲡⲟⲥ, ϥϫⲱ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟ, ϫⲉ

From the bishop's homily, too, saying:

ⲉⲧⲃⲉⲟⲩ, ⲣⲱⲙⲉ, ϥⲓ-ⲣⲟⲟⲩϣ ⲉⲧⲕ̄ⲛⲁⲃⲱⲕ ⲛ̄ⲕⲁⲁ? ⲁⲣⲓ-ⲙⲉⲉⲩⲉ ϫⲉ ⲥⲉⲛⲁⲡⲁⲣⲁⲅⲉ ⲛ̄ϭⲓⲛⲉⲉⲡⲓⲑⲩⲙⲓⲁ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲓⲕⲟⲥⲙⲟⲥ. ⲙ̄ⲡⲣ̄ⲧⲁϫⲣⲟ ⲉϫⲛ̄ϩⲉⲛⲭⲣⲏⲙⲁ, ⲙⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲛⲟⲩⲃ, ⲙⲛ̄ⲟⲩϩⲁⲧ. ⲛⲉⲭⲣⲏⲙⲁ ⲥⲉⲛⲁϭⲱ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲓⲙⲁ. ⲛ̄ⲛⲟⲃⲉ ⲇⲉ ⲥⲉⲛⲁⲣ̄-ϣⲟⲣⲡ ⲉⲣⲟ ⲃⲏⲙⲁ ⲙ̄ⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ.

Why, man, do you worry about the things you'll end up leaving behind? Remember that the desires of this world will pass. Do not rely on possessions, gold, or silver. The possessions will remain here. The sins will precede us to God's judgment seat.

ⲁⲩⲱ ⲥⲉⲉⲡⲉ ⲉⲧⲛⲏⲩ ⲙⲛ̄ⲛ̄ⲥⲁⲛⲁⲓ.

…and the rest which came after this.

ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲣⲉⲥⲱⲧⲙ ⲇⲉ ⲛⲁⲓ ⲛ̄ϭⲓϣⲉⲉⲣⲉ ϣⲏⲙ, ⲡⲉϫⲁ, ϫⲉ

When the girl heard these things, she said:

ⲁⲗⲏⲑⲱⲥ ⲁ-ⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲥⲟⲩⲧⲛ-ⲧⲁϩⲓⲏ!

“God has truly shown me the way!”

Hilaria leaves Constantinople

ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲣⲟⲩⲕⲁ-ⲥⲩⲛⲁⲝⲓⲥ ⲇⲉ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ, ⲕⲁ-ⲣⲟⲟⲩϣ ϩⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲥϩⲏⲧ ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛⲉⲥⲕⲉⲡⲧⲉⲓ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟ ϫⲉ ⲛⲁϯ-ⲡⲉⲥⲟⲩⲟⲓ ⲁⲡⲟⲇⲏⲙⲓⲁ ⲛ̄ⲁϣ ⲛ̄ϩⲉ. ⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲇⲉ ϥⲧⲁⲙⲟ ⲉⲧⲉϣϣⲉ ⲉⲣⲟ ⲁⲁ.

When service was over, she set aside her worries and thought about how she'd make it out of the country. God told her what she needed to do.

ⲧⲱⲟⲩⲛ ⲛ̄ⲡⲁϣⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲩϣⲏ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲓϩⲟⲟⲩ ⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲱⲧ, ϯ ϩⲓⲱⲱ ⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲥⲭⲏⲙⲁ ⲛ̄ⲥⲡⲁⲑⲁⲣⲓⲟⲥ, ⲙⲟⲣⲥ̄ ⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲙⲟⲩⲥ ⲛ̄ⲕⲁⲙⲡⲓⲥⲧⲣⲟⲛ, ⲁⲩⲱ ϫⲓ ⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲥⲏϥⲉ ⲛ̄ⲛⲟⲩⲃ ⲧⲉⲥϭⲓϫ.

That same day she arose at midnight, donned a dignitary's wear, put on a military belt, and took a golden sword in her hand.

ⲉⲓ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲉϫⲛ̄ϩⲁⲗⲁⲥⲥⲁ, ⲙ̄ⲡⲉ-ⲗⲁⲁⲩ ⲥⲟⲩⲱⲛⲥ̄ ⲧⲏⲣϥ. ϩⲉ ϫⲟⲓ ϥⲛⲁⲥϭⲏⲣ ⲡⲟⲗⲓⲥ ϫⲉ ⲥⲁⲣⲁⲗⲛⲁ. ⲛⲉⲣⲉ-ⲟⲩⲭⲁⲣⲧⲏⲥ ϩⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲥϭⲓϫ, ϩⲱⲥ ⲉ-ϩⲉⲛⲥϩⲁⲓ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲣⲣⲟ ⲛⲉ.

She came out to the shore, and no one recognized her at all. She found a ship about to set sail for the city of Saralna. Papers were in her hand, like royal documents.

ⲡⲉϫⲁ ⲙ̄ⲛⲉⲉϥ, ϫⲉ

She said to the captain,

ϯⲟⲩⲱϣ ⲧⲣⲉϫⲓⲧ ⲡⲟⲗⲓⲥ ⲣⲁⲕⲟⲧⲉ, ϫⲉ ϩⲱⲃ ⲡⲁ-ⲇⲉⲥⲡⲟⲧⲏⲥ ⲡⲉ ⲁⲩⲱ ⲙⲛ̄-ϣϭⲟⲙ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟ ⲩⲟⲛϩϥ̄ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ.

“I'd like you to take me to the city of Alexandria, for it's imperial business and I can't reveal it.”

ⲡⲉϫⲉ-ⲛⲉⲉϥ ⲛⲁ, ϫⲉ

The captain said to her,

ⲕⲩⲣⲓⲉ ⲥⲧⲣⲁⲧⲏⲗⲁⲧⲏⲥ, ⲛⲉⲃⲏⲕ ⲁⲛ ⲙⲁ ⲉⲧⲙ̄ⲙⲁⲩ, ⲁⲗⲗⲁ ⲉϣϫⲉ ϩⲱⲃ ⲡⲁ-ⲣⲣⲟ ⲡⲉ ⲙⲛ̄-ϣϭⲟⲙ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟ ⲕⲱⲗⲩ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟϥ.

“My liege, we weren't headed there, but if it concerns the emperor I can't refuse it.”

ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲓϩⲉ ⲧⲁⲗⲟ, ⲛⲧⲥ̄ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲣⲁⲕⲟⲧⲉ.

And like this she was taken aboard, and brought into Alexandria.

Hilaria arrives in Alexandria

ϣⲉⲉⲣⲉ ⲇⲉ ϣⲏⲙ ⲛⲉϩⲛ̄ⲛⲁⲙⲛⲧϣⲙⲏⲛⲉ ⲛ̄ⲣⲟⲙⲡⲉ, ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛⲉϫⲁⲣϩⲏⲧ ⲧⲉ ϩⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲥϩⲏⲧ.

The girl was about eighteen years old, and strong of heart.

ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲣⲉⲃⲱⲕ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲣⲁⲕⲟⲧⲉ, ϯ-ⲡⲉⲥⲟⲩⲟⲓ ϩⲛ̄ϩⲟⲣⲙⲏ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲥⲡⲛⲉⲩⲙⲁ.

And when she entered Alexandria, she approached with the zeal of her spirit.

ⲃⲱⲕ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲧⲟⲡⲟⲥ ⲙ̄ϩⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ ⲡⲉⲧⲣⲟⲥ ⲁⲣⲭⲏⲉⲡⲓⲥⲕⲟⲡⲟⲥ ϣⲗⲏⲗ, ϫⲱ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟ, ϫⲉ

She entered the sanctuary of Saint Peter the Archbishop, and prayed:

ϩⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ ⲡⲉⲧⲣⲟⲥ ⲁⲣⲭⲏⲉⲡⲓⲥⲕⲟⲡⲟⲥ, ⲡⲁⲣⲁⲕⲁⲗⲉⲓ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲭ︤ⲥ︥, ⲛ̄ϥⲇⲓⲟⲓⲕⲉⲓ ⲙ̄ⲡⲁⲃⲓⲟⲥ ⲕⲁⲧⲁⲡⲉϥⲟⲩⲱϣ!

“Saint Peter the Archbishop, call on Christ to direct my life according to his will!”

Hilaria's 2nd Inspiration

ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲣⲉ-ϩⲧⲟⲟⲩⲉ ⲇⲉ ϣⲱⲡⲉ, ⲛⲁⲩ ⲙⲏⲏϣⲉ, ⲫⲟⲣⲉⲓ ⲛ̄ϩⲉⲛϩⲃⲥⲱ ⲟⲩⲟⲃϣ, ⲡⲏⲧ ⲕⲁⲑⲟⲗⲓⲕⲏ, ⲉ-ⲛⲉ-ⲡⲉϩⲟⲟⲩ ⲡⲉ ⲙ̄ϩⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ ⲙⲁⲣⲕⲟⲥ ⲉⲩⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲓⲥⲧⲏⲥ.

When morning came, she saw a crowd, wearing white clothing, running to the main church, as it was the day of Saint Mark the Evangelist.

ⲙⲁⲕⲁⲣⲓⲁ ⲇⲉ ⲉⲡⲓⲑⲩⲙⲉⲓ ⲃⲱⲕ ⲛⲙ̄ⲙⲁ.

The blessed one desired to go with them.

ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲣⲉⲁⲗⲏ ⲉϩⲣⲁⲓ ⲉϫⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲧⲱⲣⲧⲣ ⲙ̄ϩⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ ⲙⲁⲣⲕⲟⲥ, ⲱϣ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ, ϫⲱ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟ, ϫⲉ

And when she went up the steps of Saint Mark, she cried out:

ϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ, ⲉϣϫⲉ ⲛⲁⲥⲟⲩⲧⲛ-ⲧⲁϩⲓⲏ ϩⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲙⲉ, ⲉⲓⲉ ⲙⲁⲣⲥⲱⲧⲙ ϩⲉⲛⲁⲛⲁⲅⲛⲱⲥⲓⲥ ϫⲓ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲉⲣⲟ, ⲕⲁⲧⲁϩⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧⲥⲟⲧⲙⲟⲩ ϩⲛ̄ⲕⲱⲛⲥⲧⲁⲛⲧⲓⲛⲟⲩⲡⲟⲗⲓⲥ.

“Lord, if you're truly guiding my way, then let me hear verses relevant to me, just like I'd heard in Constantinople.”

ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲣⲉⲃⲱⲕ ⲇⲉ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲓⲟⲛ, ⲥⲱⲧⲙ ϩⲙ̄ⲁⲡⲟⲥⲧⲟⲗⲟⲥ, ϫⲉ

When she entered the martyr's sanctuary, she heard from the apostle:

ⲉⲧⲙⲉ ⲙ̄ⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ, ϣⲁⲣⲉ-ⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ϯ-ⲧⲟⲟⲧⲟⲩ ϩⲛ̄ϩⲱⲃ ⲛⲓⲙ ⲁⲅⲁⲑⲱⲛ, ⲉⲧⲧⲁϩⲙ ⲕⲁⲧⲁⲡⲉϥⲟⲩⲱϣ, ⲛⲁⲓ ⲛ̄ⲧϥϣⲣ̄ⲡⲥⲟⲩⲱⲛⲟⲩ.

Those who love God, God assists in all things good, those summoned according to his will, those whom he's already known.

ϩⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲕⲁⲑⲟⲗⲓⲕⲟⲛ ⲇⲉ ⲟⲛ, ϫⲉ

Also from the Catholics:

ⲙ̄ⲡⲣ̄ⲙⲉⲣⲉ-ⲕⲟⲥⲙⲟⲥ, ⲟⲩⲇⲉ ⲉⲧϩⲙ̄ⲕⲟⲥⲙⲟⲥ.

Love neither the world, nor those in it.

ϩⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲡⲣⲁⲝⲓⲥ ⲇⲉ ⲟⲛ, ϫⲉ

Also from the Acts:

ⲟⲩⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ ϥⲟⲩⲟⲛϩϥ̄ ⲡⲉⲧⲣⲟⲥ ⲡⲉϫⲁϥ ⲛⲁϥ ϫⲉ, ⲙⲟⲣⲕ̄, ⲙⲁ-ⲡⲉⲕⲥⲁⲛⲇⲁⲗⲓⲟⲛ ⲉⲣⲁⲧⲕ̄, ⲛ̄ϯ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲕϣⲧⲏⲛ ϩⲓⲱⲱ, ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲁϩⲕ̄ ⲛ̄ⲥⲱ!

An angel of the Lord revealed himself to Peter and said, “Put on your pants, your sandals, and your shirt, and follow me!”

ϩⲙ̄ⲁⲗⲗⲏⲗⲟⲩⲓⲁ ⲇⲉ ⲟⲛ, ϫⲉ

Also from the Hallelujah:

ϥⲛⲁⲥⲙⲛ̄-ⲛⲟⲙⲟⲥ ⲛⲁϥ ϩⲛ̄ⲧⲉϩⲓⲏ ⲛ̄ⲧϥⲟⲩⲁϣⲥ̄.

He'll establish law for himself however he wants.

ϩⲙ̄ⲉⲩⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲓⲟⲛ ⲇⲉ ⲟⲛ, ϫⲉ

Also from the Gospel:

ⲉⲓⲥϩⲏⲏⲧⲉ, ϯⲛⲁϫⲟⲟⲩ ⲙ̄ⲡⲁⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ ϩⲁⲧⲉⲕϩⲏ, ⲛ̄ϥⲥⲟⲟⲩⲧⲛ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲕϩⲓⲏ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲕⲙⲧⲟ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ.

Behold, I will send my angel ahead of you, and he will guide your way before you.

ϩⲛ̄ⲕⲁⲑⲏⲅⲏⲥⲓⲥ ⲇⲉ ⲟⲛ ⲙ̄ⲁⲣⲭⲏⲉⲡⲓⲥⲕⲟⲡⲟⲥ ⲉⲧⲙⲛ̄ⲛ̄ⲥⲁⲉⲩⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲓⲟⲛ, ϫⲉ

Also from the archbishop's homily after the Gospel:

ⲙ̄ⲡⲣ̄ⲣ̄-ⲙⲕⲁϩ ⲛ̄ϩⲏⲧ ϫⲉ ⲁⲡⲟⲧⲁⲥⲥⲉ ⲛ̄ϩⲉⲛⲭⲣⲏⲙⲁ! ⲁⲣⲓ-ⲙⲉⲉⲩⲉ ⲙ̄ϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ ϥϫⲱ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟ ϩⲙ̄ⲉⲩⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲓⲟⲛ ⲛ̄ⲛⲉϥⲙⲁⲑⲏⲧⲏⲥ, ϫⲉ ⲛⲧⲱⲧⲛ ⲛⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧⲕⲁ-ⲏⲓ ⲛ̄ⲥⲱⲟⲩ, ϩⲓⲥϩⲓⲙⲉ ϩⲓϣⲏⲣⲉ: ϩⲣⲁⲓ ϩⲙ̄ⲡⲉϫⲡⲟ ⲛ̄ⲕⲉⲥⲟⲡ ⲧⲉⲧⲛ̄ⲛⲁϫⲓⲧⲟⲩ ⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲁⲧⲟ ⲛ̄ⲕⲱⲃ ⲛ̄ⲥⲟⲡ, ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲧⲛ̄ⲕⲗⲏⲣⲟⲛⲟⲙⲉⲓ ⲙ̄ⲱⲛϩ ϣⲁⲉⲛⲉϩ.

Do not be sad that you have given up possessions! Remember the Lord saying in the Gospel to his disciples: “You who have abandoned your houses, wives, children: In another generation you'll receive them many times over, and inherit eternal life.”

ⲛⲁⲓ ⲇⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲣⲉⲥⲱⲧⲙ ⲉⲣⲟⲟⲩ ⲛ̄ϭⲓⲙⲁⲕⲁⲣⲓⲁ ϩⲗⲗⲁⲣⲓⲁ, ⲥⲟⲗⲥⲗ ⲉⲙⲁⲧⲉ, ⲁⲩⲱ ⲁⲓⲧⲉⲓ ⲙ̄ϩⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ ⲙⲁⲣⲕⲟⲥ, ϫⲱ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟ, ϫⲉ

When the blessed Hilaria heard these things, she was very relieved, and asked Saint Mark:

ϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲛⲁ ⲛ̄ⲃⲟⲏⲑⲟⲥ ⲛ̄ⲣ̄-ϩⲙⲙⲉ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟ, ϫⲉ ⲁⲛⲅ-ⲟⲩϣⲙⲙⲟ ⲛ̄ϯⲥⲟⲟⲩⲛ ⲁⲛ ⲛ̄ⲣⲱⲙⲉ ϩⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲓⲡⲟⲗⲓⲥ!

“Be a helper to me and guide me, for I'm a stranger and know no one in this city!”

Hilaria speaks to the deacon

ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲣⲟⲩⲕⲁ-ⲥⲩⲛⲁⲝⲓⲥ ⲇⲉ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ, ϯ-ⲡⲉⲥⲟⲩⲟⲓ ⲇⲓⲁⲕⲟⲛⲟⲥ ⲛ̄ⲣⲙⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ, ⲉ-ⲡⲉϥⲣⲁⲛ ⲡⲉ ⲑⲉⲟⲇⲱⲣⲟⲥ, ⲡⲉϫⲁ ⲛⲁϥ, ϫⲉ

When service was over, she made her way to the devout deacon, whose name was Theodore, and said to him:

ⲡⲁⲥⲟⲛ ⲇⲓⲁⲕⲱⲛ, ϯⲟⲩⲱϣ ⲧⲣⲉⲉⲓ ⲛⲙ̄ⲙⲁ ϣⲓⲏⲧ ⲧⲁϯ ⲛⲁ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲕⲃⲉⲕⲉ, ϫⲉ ϯⲉⲡⲓⲑⲩⲙⲉⲓ ⲃⲱⲕ ⲉⲙⲁⲩ ⲧⲁϣⲗⲏⲗ, ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛ̄ϯⲛⲟⲉⲓ ⲁⲛ ⲧⲉϩⲓⲏ. ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲓ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲙ̄ⲃⲩⲍⲁⲛⲧⲓⲟⲛ ⲡⲉⲓϩⲱⲃ.

“My brother deacon, I'd like you to come with me to Scetis so I can pay you, for I desire to go there and pray, and don't know the way. This is the reason I came from Byzantium.”

ϥⲟⲩⲱϣⲃ ⲛⲁ ⲛ̄ϭⲓⲇⲓⲁⲕⲟⲛⲟⲥ, ϫⲉ

The deacon answered her:

ⲕⲩⲣⲓⲉ ⲥⲡⲁⲑⲁⲣⲓⲉ, ⲉⲓⲥ-ⲟⲩⲙⲏⲏϣⲉ ⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲟⲉⲓϣ ϯⲉⲡⲓⲑⲩⲙⲉⲓ ⲃⲱⲕ ⲙⲁ ⲉⲧⲙ̄ⲙⲁⲩ ⲧⲁϣⲗⲏⲗ, ⲁⲩⲱ ⲧⲁⲙⲛⲧⲁⲙⲉⲗⲏⲥ ⲙⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲣⲟⲟⲩϣ ⲕⲱⲗⲩ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟ ϣⲁⲧⲉⲛⲟⲩ. ⲡⲁⲛⲧⲱⲥ ⲧⲱϣ ⲙ̄ⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲡⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲓ, ϫⲉ ⲉⲓⲉⲉⲓ ⲛⲙ̄ⲙⲁ.

“My lord, often times I desire to go there to pray, but my negligence and concerns have until now prevented me. It is certainly God's arrangement that you have come, so that I may go with you.

ⲡⲗⲏⲛ ⲕⲩⲣⲓⲁⲕⲏ ⲡⲟⲟⲩ. ⲁⲙⲟⲩ, ⲛ̄ⲧⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲱⲙ ⲙⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲛⲉⲣⲏⲩ, ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛ̄ϩⲧⲟⲟⲩⲉ, ϩⲙ̄ⲟⲩⲱϣ ⲙ̄ⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ, ⲧⲛ̄ⲛⲁⲃⲱⲕ!

Nevertheless, it is Sunday. Come, let's eat together, and in the morning, God willing, we will go!”

ⲙⲁⲕⲁⲣⲓⲁ ⲇⲉ ⲡⲉϫⲁ ⲛⲁϥ, ϫⲉ

The blessed one said to him:

ⲕⲁⲗⲱⲥ! ⲛⲁⲛⲟⲩ-ϣⲁϫⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧϫⲟⲟϥ. ϫⲓ ⲛ̄ⲧⲟⲟⲧ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲓϩⲟⲗⲟⲕⲟⲧⲓⲛⲟⲥ. ϣⲱⲡ ⲛⲁ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲛⲭⲣⲉⲓⲁ ⲛ̄ϩⲏⲧⲥ̄. ⲥⲉⲉⲡⲉ ⲇⲉ ⲧⲛ̄ⲛⲁϫⲟϥ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲉⲣⲟ ⲧⲉϩⲓⲏ.

“Great! What you've said is good. Take this cash. Buy what we need with it. The rest we will spend on ourselves along the way.”

ⲇⲓⲁⲕⲟⲛⲟⲥ ⲇⲉ ϥⲉⲓⲣⲉ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲥⲟⲩⲱϣ, ϥϫⲓ ⲛ̄ⲧⲟⲟⲧⲥ̄ ⲙ̄ⲛⲟⲙⲓⲥⲙⲁ. ⲟⲩⲱⲙ ⲙⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲩⲉⲣⲏⲩ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉϩⲟⲟⲩ ⲉⲧⲙ̄ⲙⲁⲩ.

The deacon did what she wanted, and took the coin from her. They ate together that day.

ⲙ̄ⲡⲉϥⲣⲁⲥⲧⲉ ⲇⲉ ⲧⲱϣ ⲛ̄ϩⲉⲛⲧⲃⲛⲟⲟⲩⲉ, ⲁⲗⲏ ⲉⲣⲟⲟⲩ, ⲉⲓ ⲧⲟⲡⲟⲥ ⲛ̄ⲁⲡⲁ ⲙⲏⲛⲁ.

The next day they arranged for pack animals, got on them, and came to the sanctuary of Apa Menas.

ⲙⲛ̄ⲛ̄ⲥⲁⲛⲁⲓ, ⲉⲓ ϣⲓⲏⲧ.

After that, they came to Scetis.

Hilaria's arrival in Scetis

ϣⲓⲛⲉ ⲛ̄ⲥⲁⲉⲕⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ, ⲧⲥⲁⲃⲟⲟⲩ ⲉⲣⲟ. ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲣⲟⲩϫⲓ-ⲟⲩⲱ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲡⲣⲉⲥⲃⲩⲧⲉⲣⲟⲥ ⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ ⲁⲡⲁ ⲡⲁⲙⲃⲱ ϫⲉ ⲉⲓⲥ-ⲟⲩⲥⲡⲁⲑⲁⲣⲓⲟⲥ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲣⲁⲕⲟⲧⲉ ϥⲉⲓ ⲙⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲇⲓⲁⲕⲟⲛⲟⲥ ⲟⲩⲱϣ ⲁⲡⲁⲛⲧⲁ ⲉⲣⲟ, ⲁⲩⲱ ϥⲕⲩⲗⲉⲩⲉ ⲧⲣⲉⲛⲧⲟⲩ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ.

They asked about the church, and were shown it. And when the elder saint Apa Pambo was informed that a dignitary of Alexandria was here with a deacon, wanting to meet him, he ordered that they be brought in.

ⲁⲩⲱ ϥϣⲗⲏⲗ ⲛⲙ̄ⲙⲁ, ⲕⲁⲧⲁⲥⲩⲛⲏⲑⲉⲓⲁ ⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲥⲛⲏⲩ. ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲣⲟⲩϩⲙⲟⲟⲥ, ϥϫⲱ ⲛⲁ ⲛ̄ⲉⲧⲣ̄-ⲛⲟϥⲣⲉ ⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲩⲯⲩⲭⲏ.

And he prayed with them, just like was customary with the brothers. And when they sat down, he told them things that benefit their lives.

Hilaria asks to become a monk

ⲙⲁⲕⲁⲣⲓⲁ ⲇⲉ ϩⲗⲗⲁⲣⲓⲁ ϣⲁϫⲉ ⲙⲛ̄ⲁⲡⲁ ⲡⲁⲙⲃⲱ ⲡⲉⲡⲣⲉⲥⲃⲩⲧⲉⲣⲟⲥ, ϫⲱ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟ, ϫⲉ

The blessed Hilaria spoke with Apa Pambo the elder, saying:

ϯⲟⲩⲱϣ, ⲡⲁⲉⲓⲱⲧ, ⲧⲣⲉⲁⲁ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟⲛⲁⲭⲟⲥ, ⲧⲁϭⲱ ϩⲁϩⲧⲏ.

“My father, I would like for you to make me a monk, and stay with you.”

ⲡⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ ⲇⲉ ⲡⲉϫⲁϥ ⲛⲁ, ϫⲉ

The saint said to her:

ⲡⲁϣⲏⲣⲉ, ⲙⲛ̄-ϣϭⲟⲙ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟ ϭⲱ ϩⲁϩⲧⲏ, ⲉⲡⲉⲓⲇⲏ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲓ ⲉϩⲣⲁⲓ ϩⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲙⲟⲧⲛⲉⲥ ⲛ̄ⲥⲱⲙⲁ.

“My son, you cannot stay with us, since you grew up in bodily comfort.

ⲁⲗⲗⲁ ⲉϣϫⲉ ⲟⲩⲱϣ ⲣ̄-ⲙⲟⲛⲁⲭⲟⲥ, ⲃⲱⲕ ⲛⲁ ϩⲉⲛⲁⲧⲟⲛ. ⲙⲁ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲙⲧⲟⲛ ⲡⲉ. ⲟⲩⲛ̄-ⲟⲩⲁϣⲏ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲛ̄ⲣⲱⲙⲉ ϩⲙ̄ⲙⲁ ⲉⲧⲙ̄ⲙⲁⲩ ⲉ-ⲣ̄-ⲙⲟⲛⲁⲭⲟⲥ, ⲉ-ϩⲉⲛⲣⲙⲙⲁⲟ ⲛⲉ ⲉⲙⲁⲧⲉ, ⲁⲩⲱ ⲥⲉϭⲓⲛⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲩⲙⲟⲧⲛⲉⲥ ⲙⲛ̄ⲡⲉⲩⲥⲟⲗⲥⲗ.

But if you want to become a monk, get yourself to Henaton. It's the place of rest. There's a number of people there who've become monks, and are very wealthy, and find their comfort and relaxation.

ⲁⲛⲟⲛ ⲇⲉ ⲧⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲏⲩ ⲛ̄ⲕⲏⲙⲉ ⲛ̄ϩⲙⲉ ⲙ̄ⲙⲓⲗⲓⲟⲛ, ⲁⲩⲱ ⲙⲛ̄-ⲁⲡⲁⲛⲧⲁ ϩⲁϩ ⲛ̄ⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲉⲓⲙⲏⲧⲓ ϩⲉⲛⲟⲩⲁ ⲟⲩⲁ ϣⲁⲉⲓ ϭⲙ-ϣⲓⲛⲉ ⲉⲧⲃⲉⲁⲅⲁⲡⲏ ⲙ̄ⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ.

We are forty miles away in Egypt, and there are not many personal encounters save for the occasional person coming to visit out of love of God.

ⲁⲩⲱ ⲙⲛ̄ⲧⲁ ⲛ̄ⲗⲁⲁⲩ ⲛ̄ⲥⲟⲗⲥⲗ ⲙ̄ⲙⲁⲩ ⲛ̄ⲥⲱⲙⲁⲧⲓⲕⲟⲛ, ϣⲁϩⲣⲁⲓ ⲧⲉⲛⲕⲉϩⲃⲥⲱ ϣⲟⲟⲡ ⲛⲁ ϩⲛ̄ⲟⲩϭⲱϫⲃ. ⲛⲧⲟⲕ ⲇⲉ, ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲓ ⲉϩⲣⲁⲓ ϩⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲙⲟⲧⲛⲉⲥ ⲛ̄ⲥⲱⲙⲁ, ⲙⲛ̄-ϣϭⲟⲙ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟ ϥⲓ ϩⲁⲛⲉⲓϩⲓⲥⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲓⲙⲓⲛⲉ.

And we have no bodily comfort, to the extent that even the clothing we have is inferior. You, who grew up in bodily comfort, aren't able to put up with hardships of this sort.”

ⲙⲁⲕⲁⲣⲓⲁ ⲇⲉ ⲙ̄ⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲟⲥ ⲟⲩⲱϣⲃ, ⲡⲉϫⲁ, ϫⲉ

The blessed virgin answered, and said:

ⲡⲁⲉⲓⲱⲧ, ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲓ ⲡⲓⲙⲁ ϩⲙ̄ⲡⲁϩⲏⲧ ⲧⲏⲣϥ̄. ⲉⲕϣⲁⲛⲛⲟϫⲧ̄ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ, ⲛⲧⲟⲕ ⲉⲧⲛⲁϯ-ⲗⲟⲅⲟⲥ ⲙ̄ⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ϩⲁⲧⲁⲯⲩⲭⲏ!

“My father, I came here with my whole heart. If you kick me out, it is you who will answer to God for my soul!”

ⲡⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ ⲇⲉ ϥⲣ̄-ϣⲡⲏⲣⲉ ⲛ̄ⲁⲡⲟⲗⲟⲅⲓⲁ ⲛ̄ⲕⲟⲩⲓ ⲛ̄ϣⲉⲉⲣⲉ, ⲁⲩⲱ ϥϯ ⲛⲁ ⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲙⲁ ⲧⲣⲉⲟⲩⲱϩ ⲛ̄ϩⲏⲧϥ̄, ⲛⲧⲟⲥ ⲙⲛ̄ⲇⲓⲁⲕⲟⲛⲟⲥ.

The saint was impressed with the young girl's reasoning, and gave them a place to stay, she and the deacon.

Deacon asks to return to Alexandria

ⲙⲛ̄ⲛ̄ⲥⲁϯⲟⲩ ⲇⲉ ⲛ̄ϩⲟⲟⲩ ⲁ-ⲇⲓⲁⲕⲟⲛⲟⲥ ϯ-ⲡⲉϥⲟⲩⲟⲓ ⲡⲉⲡⲣⲉⲥⲃⲩⲧⲉⲣⲟⲥ ⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ ⲁⲡⲁ ⲡⲁⲙⲃⲱ, ⲡⲉϫⲁϥ ⲛⲁϥ, ϫⲉ

After five days the deacon approached the elder saint Apa Pambo, and said to him:

ⲡⲁⲉⲓⲱⲧ, ϯ-ϩⲓⲥⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲕⲙⲛⲧⲡⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ, ⲟⲩⲱϣ ⲃⲱⲕ ⲛⲁ ⲧⲁⲡⲟⲗⲓⲥ.

“My father, I apologize, but I would like to get back to my city.”

ⲙⲁⲕⲁⲣⲓⲁ ⲇⲉ ϩⲗⲗⲁⲣⲓⲁ ⲡⲉϫⲁ ⲛⲁϥ, ϫⲉ

The blessed Hilaria said to him:

ⲡⲁⲉⲓⲱⲧ, ϫⲓ ⲛ̄ⲧⲟⲟⲧ ⲙ̄ⲉⲛⲧⲛⲧϥ̄ ⲛ̄ⲥⲟⲣϥ̄ ⲛ̄ⲛⲉϩⲏⲕⲉ ⲙⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲥⲛⲏⲩ ⲉⲧⲣ̄-ⲭⲣⲉⲓⲁ!

“My father, take what I've brought and distribute it to the poor and the brothers in need!”

ⲛⲧⲟϥ ⲇⲉ ⲡⲉϫⲁϥ ⲛⲁϥ, ϫⲉ

He said to him:

ⲡⲁϣⲏⲣⲉ, ⲙⲛ̄-ⲣ̄ⲭⲣⲉⲓⲁ ⲛ̄ϩⲱⲃ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲓⲙⲓⲛⲉ, ⲁⲗⲗⲁ ϫⲉ ⲉⲣⲉ-ⲡⲉⲛϩⲱⲃ ⲛ̄ϭⲓϫ ⲣⲱϣⲉ ⲉⲣⲟ ⲙⲛ̄ⲛ̄ⲕⲟⲟⲩⲉ ⲉⲧⲛⲏⲩ ⲉϫⲱ. ⲁⲩⲱ ⲉϣϫⲉ ⲟⲩⲱϣ ⲁⲡⲟⲧⲁⲥⲥⲉ ϩⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲕϩⲏⲧ ⲧⲏⲣϥ̄, ϯ ⲙ̄ⲉⲧⲛ̄ⲧⲟⲟⲧⲕ̄ ⲙ̄ⲇⲓⲁⲕⲟⲛⲟⲥ, ⲛ̄ϥⲧⲁⲁϥ ⲙ̄ⲁⲣⲭⲏⲉⲡⲓⲥⲕⲟⲡⲟⲥ, ⲛ̄ϥϫⲟⲟⲩ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲇⲓⲁⲕⲟⲛⲓⲁ ⲛ̄ⲛ̄ϩⲏⲕⲉ.

“My son, there is no need for this sort of thing, as our manual labor is sufficient for us and the others who happen upon us. And if you want to surrender your whole heart, give what you have to the deacon, and he will give it to the archbishop, and he will send it out to the ministry of the poor.”

ⲙⲁⲕⲁⲣⲓⲁ ⲇⲉ ϩⲗⲗⲁⲣⲓⲁ ϯ ⲙ̄ⲉⲧⲛ̄ⲧⲟⲟⲧⲥ̄ ⲙ̄ⲇⲓⲁⲕⲟⲛⲟⲥ, ⲉⲧⲉⲥⲏϥⲉ ⲛ̄ⲛⲟⲩⲃ ⲧⲉ ⲉⲧϩⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲥϭⲓϫ ⲙⲛ̄ⲙⲟⲩⲥ ⲛ̄ⲛⲟⲩⲃ ⲉⲧⲙⲏⲣ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟ.

The blessed Hilaria gave what she had to the deacon, namely the golden sword in her hand and the golden belt she'd been wearing.

ⲇⲓⲁⲕⲟⲛⲟⲥ ⲇⲉ ϥⲉⲓ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲓⲧⲟⲟⲧⲟⲩ.

The deacon left them.

Hilaria asks again to become a monk

ⲙⲁⲕⲁⲣⲓⲁ ⲇⲉ ϩⲗⲗⲁⲣⲓⲁ ϯ-ⲡⲉⲥⲟⲩⲟⲓ ⲡⲉⲡⲣⲉⲥⲃⲩⲧⲉⲣⲟⲥ ⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ ⲁⲡⲁ ⲡⲁⲙⲃⲱ, ⲡⲉϫⲁ ⲛⲁϥ, ϫⲉ

The blessed Hilaria approached the elder saint Apa Pambo, and said to him:

ⲡⲁⲉⲓⲱⲧ ⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ, ⲟⲩⲉϣ-ⲟⲩⲥⲭⲏⲙⲁ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟⲛⲁⲭⲟⲥ.

“My holy father, I wish to don the monkhood.”

ⲁⲩⲱ ϥϯ ⲛⲁ ⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲗⲉⲃⲓⲧⲟⲛ ⲙⲛ̄ⲟⲩϣⲧⲏⲛ ⲛ̄ϥⲱ.

And he gave her a robe and fur cloak.

ⲁⲩⲱ ⲃⲱⲕ ⲥⲁ ⲙⲁⲩⲁⲁ, ⲕⲁⲁ ⲕⲁϩⲏⲩ ⲛ̄ⲛⲉϩⲟⲓⲧⲉ ⲉⲧϩⲓϫⲱ, ϯ ϩⲓⲱⲱ ⲛ̄ⲗⲉⲃⲓⲧⲟⲛ.

And she went off to the side alone, and took off the garment she had on, and put on the robe.

ⲉⲓ ϣⲁⲡⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ, ⲁⲩⲱ ϥⲙⲟⲣⲥ̄ ϩⲛ̄ⲛⲉϥϭⲓϫ ⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ.

She went to the saint, and he bound her with his holy hands.

ⲛⲉϥⲥⲟⲟⲩⲛ ⲇⲉ ⲁⲛ ϫⲉ ⲟⲩⲥϩⲓⲙⲉ ⲧⲉ.

He had not known she was a woman.

ϥϯ ⲛⲁ ⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲣⲓ ϩⲓⲧⲟⲩⲱϥ ⲙ̄ⲣⲏⲥ ⲛ̄ⲉⲕⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ, ⲁⲩⲱ ϣⲁϥⲃⲱⲕ ϣⲁⲣⲟ ⲛ̄ⲥⲉⲡⲥⲛⲁⲩ ⲙ̄ⲙⲏⲛⲉ ⲛ̄ϥϭⲙ-ⲡⲉⲥϣⲓⲛⲉ, ⲛⲧⲟϥ ⲙⲛ̄ⲕⲉⲫⲓⲗⲟⲥⲟⲫⲟⲥ, ϫⲉ ⲁⲡⲁ ⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲓⲟⲛ.

He gave her a cell beside him at the south of the church, and would go to visit her twice a day, he as well as a philosopher, Apa Martyrion.

ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛⲉϣⲁϫⲉ ⲛ̄ϣⲁⲣⲉ-ⲡⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ ⲁⲡⲁ ⲡⲁⲙⲃⲱ ϫⲟⲟ ⲛⲁ, ⲛⲉϣⲁⲣⲉ-ⲁⲡⲁ ⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲓⲟⲛ ϫⲟⲟ ⲉⲣⲟ ⲙ̄ⲙⲛⲧⲟⲩⲉⲓⲉⲛⲓⲛ.

And whatever words saint Apa Pambo would say to her would be said by Apa Martyrion to her in Greek.

ⲉⲧⲃⲉⲡⲁⲓ ⲣⲱ, ⲁ-ϣⲉⲉⲣⲉ ϣⲏⲙ ⲧⲥⲁⲃⲟ ⲙⲛⲧⲣⲙⲛⲕⲏⲙⲉ.

For this reason, the girl taught herself Coptic.

Apa Pambo learns Hilaria is a woman

ⲙⲛ̄ⲛ̄ⲥⲁϣⲟⲙⲧⲉ ⲇⲉ ⲛ̄ⲣⲟⲙⲡⲉ ⲟⲩⲏϩ ϩⲙ̄ⲙⲁ ⲉⲧⲙ̄ⲙⲁⲩ, ⲁ-ϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ ϭⲉⲗⲡ-ⲡⲁⲓ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲁⲡⲁ ⲡⲁⲙⲃⲱ ϫⲉ ⲟⲩⲥϩⲓⲙⲉ ⲧⲉ, ⲁⲗⲗⲁ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉϥⲉⲓⲙⲉ ϫⲉ ϣⲉⲉⲣⲉ ⲙ̄ⲣⲣⲟ ⲧⲉ.

After three years of living there, the Lord revealed to Apa Pambo that she was a woman, but he didn't know she was the emperor's daughter.

ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲣⲉϥⲉⲓⲙⲉ ⲇⲉ ϫⲉ ⲟⲩⲥϩⲓⲙⲉ ⲧⲉ, ϥϣⲁϫⲉ ⲛⲙ̄ⲙⲁ, ϥϫⲱ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟ, ϫⲉ

When he learned that she was a woman, he spoke with her, saying:

ⲙ̄ⲡⲣ̄ⲧⲣⲉ-ⲗⲁⲁⲩ ⲉⲓⲙⲉ ϫⲉ ⲛⲧⲉ-ⲟⲩⲥϩⲓⲙⲉⲛ̄ⲟⲩϩⲱⲃ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲁⲛ ϥϯ-ⲕⲱⲧ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲛⲃⲓⲟⲥ ⲡⲉ ⲧⲣⲉ-ⲟⲩⲥϩⲓⲙⲉ ⲟⲩⲱϩ ϩⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲛⲙⲏⲧⲉϫⲉⲕⲁⲁⲥ ⲛ̄ⲛⲉ-ⲗⲁⲁⲩ ϯ-ⲟⲥⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲛⲁⲫⲟⲣⲙⲏ.

“Let no one know that you're a woman—for it doesn't benefit our lives to have a woman live among us—so that no one is punished because of us.”

ⲙⲛ̄ⲛ̄ⲥⲁⲯⲓⲧⲉ ⲇⲉ ⲛ̄ⲣⲟⲙⲡⲉ, ⲛⲁⲩ ϣⲉⲉⲣⲉ ϣⲏⲙ ϫⲉ ⲙⲛ̄-ⲙⲟⲣⲧ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟ, ⲁⲩⲱ ⲙⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲉⲣⲟ ϫⲉ ⲉⲗⲗⲁⲣⲓⲟⲛ ⲡⲉⲥⲓⲟⲩⲣ, ⲉⲡⲉⲓⲇⲏ ⲟⲩⲛ̄-ϩⲁϩ ⲛ̄ⲣⲱⲙⲉ ϩⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲓⲥⲭⲏⲙⲁ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲓⲙⲓⲛⲉ. ⲉⲧⲃⲉⲛⲉⲥⲉⲕⲓⲃⲉ ⲇⲉ ⲟⲛ, ϫⲉ ⲙ̄ⲡⲟⲩⲣ̄-ϩⲉ ⲛ̄ⲛⲁ-ⲛⲉϩⲓⲟⲙⲉ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ. ⲛ̄ϣⲟⲣⲡ ⲙⲉⲛ, ϣⲟⲟⲩⲉ ϩⲓⲧⲛ̄ⲁⲥⲕⲏⲥⲓⲥ ⲁⲩⲱ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉϩⲩⲡⲟⲕⲉⲓⲥⲑⲁⲓ ⲡⲁⲑⲟⲥ ⲛ̄ⲛⲉϩⲓⲟⲙⲉ, ⲉⲡⲉⲓⲇⲏ ⲁ-ⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲡⲁⲛⲧⲟⲕⲣⲁⲧⲱⲣ ⲟⲩⲉϩ-ⲥⲁϩⲛⲉ ⲛⲁ ⲙ̄ϩⲱⲃ ⲉⲧⲧⲏϣ.

After nine years, they saw that the girl had no beard, and they called her Hilarion the Eunuch, since there were many in this order of this sort. Due to her breasts, too, since they weren't like those of the other women. But primarily, she dried up through asceticism and wasn't subject to menstruation, since God Almighty arranged this for her.

Hilaria's sister becomes possessed

ⲙⲛ̄ⲛ̄ⲥⲁⲯⲓⲧⲉ ⲇⲉ ⲛ̄ⲣⲟⲙⲡⲉ ϣⲟⲟⲡ ϩⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲓⲛⲟϭ ⲛ̄ⲁⲥⲕⲏⲥⲓⲥⲛⲉ-ⲟⲩⲱ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲉⲓⲁ-ⲧⲟⲟⲧⲟⲩ ⲛ̄ⲥⲱ ⲛ̄ϭⲓⲛⲉⲥⲉⲓⲟⲧⲉ ϫⲉ ⲙⲟⲩⲇⲁⲓⲙⲱⲛ ⲇⲉ ⲟⲛϣϥ̄ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲧⲉⲥⲕⲟⲩⲓ ⲛ̄ⲥⲱⲛⲉ ⲉⲧϩⲛ̄ⲕⲱⲛⲥⲧⲁⲛⲧⲓⲛⲟⲩⲡⲟⲗⲓⲥ.

After nine years of living these great ascetic practices—her parents had already written her off as dead—her younger sister in Constantinople was possessed by a demon.

ⲁⲩⲱ ϫⲓⲧⲥ̄ ⲉⲣⲁⲧⲟⲩ ⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲛⲟϭ ⲛ̄ⲁⲥⲕⲏⲑⲏⲥ ⲉⲧϩⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲙⲟⲛⲁⲥⲧⲏⲣⲓⲟⲛ ⲙ̄ⲃⲩⲍⲁⲛⲧⲓⲟⲛ ⲧⲣⲉϣⲗⲏⲗ ⲉϫⲱ, ⲁⲩⲱ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉ-ϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ ⲭⲁⲣⲓⲍⲉ ⲛⲁ ⲙ̄ⲧⲁⲗϭⲟ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲓⲧⲟⲟⲧⲟⲩ.

And she was brought to the great ascetics in the monasteries of Byzantium to have them pray for her, but the Lord did not allow her to be healed by them.

ⲥⲩⲙⲃⲟⲩⲗⲉⲩⲉ ⲙ̄ⲣⲣⲟ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲓⲧⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲛⲟϭ ⲙ̄ⲡⲁⲗⲁⲧⲓⲟⲛ, ϫⲱ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟ, ϫⲉ

The emperor was advised by the elders of the palace:

ⲣⲣⲟ, ⲱⲛϩ ϣⲁⲉⲛⲉϩ! ⲉϣϫⲉ ⲥⲉⲣ̄-ⲁⲛⲁ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲕⲕⲣⲁⲧⲟⲥ ϣⲱⲡ ⲉⲣⲟ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲛϣⲁϫⲉ, ⲧⲛⲛⲟⲟⲩ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲕϣⲉⲉⲣⲉ ϣⲓⲏⲧ, ⲉⲣⲁⲧⲟⲩ ⲛ̄ⲛ̄ⲁⲥⲕⲏⲑⲏⲥ ⲉⲧϩⲙ̄ⲙⲁ ⲉⲧⲙ̄ⲙⲁⲩ. ϩⲉⲛⲛⲟϭ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲛⲉ ⲛⲉⲩⲡⲟⲗⲓⲧⲉⲓⲁ, ⲁⲩⲱ ⲧⲛ̄ⲡⲓⲥⲧⲉⲩⲉ ϫⲉ ϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ ⲛⲁⲭⲁⲣⲓⲍⲉ ⲛⲁ ⲙ̄ⲧⲁⲗϭⲟ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲓⲧⲟⲟⲧⲟⲩ.

“O King, may you live forever! If it pleases your majesty to accept our words, send your daughter to Scetis, to the ascetics there. Their way of living is great, and we believe that the Lord will allow her to be healed by them.”

ⲣⲣⲟ ⲇⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲣⲉϥⲥⲱⲧⲙ ⲡⲉⲩϣⲟϫⲛⲉ, ϥⲣⲁϣⲉ ⲉⲙⲁⲧⲉ, ⲉⲡⲉⲓⲇⲏ ⲟⲩⲛ̄-ⲟⲩⲛⲟϭ ⲛ̄ⲙⲕⲁϩ ⲛ̄ϩⲏⲧ ϣⲟⲟⲡ ⲛⲁϥ ⲉⲧⲃⲉⲧⲉϥϣⲉⲉⲣⲉ.

When the emperor heard their suggestion, he was overjoyed, since he was depressed over his daughter.

ⲁⲩⲱ ϥⲧⲛⲛⲟⲟⲩ ⲛⲙ̄ⲙⲁ ⲛ̄ⲥⲓⲟⲩⲣ ⲥⲛⲁⲩ ⲁⲩⲱ ⲥⲛⲧⲉ ⲙ̄ⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲟⲥ, ⲙⲛ̄ⲕⲉϩⲙϩⲁⲗ ⲥⲛⲁⲩ ⲧⲣⲉϩⲩⲡⲏⲣⲉⲧⲉⲓ ⲛⲁ.

And he sent with her two eunuchs and two virgins, and another two servants to be of service to her.

ϥⲥϩⲁⲓ ⲣⲁⲕⲟⲧⲉ, ⲉⲣⲁⲧϥ̄ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲥⲧⲣⲁⲧⲏⲗⲁⲧⲏⲥ ⲙⲛ̄ϩⲏⲅⲉⲙⲱⲛ, ⲧⲣⲉⲡⲱⲧ ⲛⲙ̄ⲙⲁ ⲧⲟⲟⲩ ⲙ̄ϩⲟⲥⲙ.

He wrote to Alexandria, to the general and the governor, to have them head out with her to the Natron Mountain.

ⲣⲣⲟ ⲇⲉ ϥⲥϩⲁⲓ ⲉⲣⲁⲧⲟⲩ ⲛ̄ⲛ̄ⲁⲥⲕⲏⲑⲏⲥ ⲉⲧϩⲛ̄ϣⲓⲏⲧ. ϥⲁⲓⲧⲉⲓ ⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲙⲉⲗⲁ ⲙⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲭⲁⲣⲧⲏⲥ, ϥⲥϩⲁⲓ ϩⲛ̄ⲧⲉϥϭⲓϫ ⲙ̄ⲙⲓⲛⲙ̄ⲙⲟϥ, ϫⲉⲕⲁⲁⲥ ⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲥⲉϩ-ⲟⲩϣⲁϫⲉ ϥϫⲟⲥⲉ ⲉⲡⲓⲥⲧⲟⲗⲏ, ⲕⲁⲧⲁⲉⲧⲡⲣⲉⲡⲉⲓ ⲛ̄ⲙⲛⲧⲣⲣⲟ. ⲛⲁⲓ ⲛⲉ ⲛⲉϣⲁϫⲉ ⲛ̄ⲑⲃⲃⲓⲟ ⲛ̄ⲧϥⲥϩⲁⲓⲥⲟⲩ ⲉⲡⲓⲥⲧⲟⲗⲏ:

The emperor wrote to the ascetics in Scetis. He asked for ink and a sheet of paper, and wrote with his own hand, so that no pretentious words would be written in the letter, as befits royal custom. These are the humble words he wrote in the letter:

ⲡⲉⲓⲉⲗⲁⲭⲓⲥⲧⲟⲥ ⲛ̄ⲣⲣⲟ ⲍⲏⲛⲱⲛ ⲡⲉ, ⲛ̄ⲧⲁ-ⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ϯ ⲛⲁϥ ⲙ̄ⲧⲁⲓⲟ ⲛ̄ⲙⲛⲧⲣⲣⲟ ⲡⲁⲣⲁⲡⲉϥⲙⲡϣⲁ, ϥⲥϩⲁⲓ ⲉⲣⲁⲧⲟⲩ ⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲥⲛⲏⲩ ⲛ̄ⲉⲩⲥⲉⲃⲏⲥ ⲛ̄ϣⲟⲩⲙⲉⲣⲓⲧⲟⲩ, ⲉⲧϣⲗⲏⲗ ⲉϫⲙ̄ⲕⲟⲥⲙⲟⲥ ⲧⲏⲣϥ̄. ⲭⲁⲓⲣⲉⲧⲉ!

This lowly emperor is Zeno, to whom God has given the honor of the kingdom more than he's worth, writing to the pious, loving brothers, who pray for the entire world. Greetings!

ϩⲁϩⲏ ⲙⲉⲛ ⲛ̄ϩⲱⲃ ⲛⲓⲙ, ⲛⲁⲥⲛⲏⲩ ⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ, ϯⲡⲁⲣⲁⲕⲁⲗⲉⲓ ⲙ̄ⲙⲱⲧⲛ̄ ⲧⲏⲣⲧⲛ̄ ϩⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲭ︤ⲥ︥, ⲁⲩⲱ ⲉϣϫⲉ ϯⲙⲡϣⲁ, ϯⲁⲥⲡⲁⲍⲉ ⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲧⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲉⲣⲏⲧⲉ ⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ. ⲙⲛ̄ⲛ̄ⲥⲱ ϯⲧⲁⲙⲟ ⲙ̄ⲙⲱⲧⲛ̄ ⲉⲛⲧⲁ-ⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲁⲁ ⲛⲁ ⲉⲧⲃⲉⲛⲁⲛⲟⲃⲉ.

First of all, my holy brothers, I beg you all in Christ, and if I am worthy, I kiss your holy feet. Afterwards I tell you about what God has done to me because of my sins.

ⲟⲩⲛ̄ⲧⲁ ⲙ̄ⲙⲁⲩ ⲛ̄ϣⲉⲉⲣⲉ ⲥⲛⲧⲉ ⲛ̄ⲥϩⲓⲙⲉ, ⲉ-ⲙⲛ̄ⲧⲁ ⲛ̄ⲗⲁⲁⲩ ⲛ̄ⲥⲟⲗⲥⲗ ⲙ̄ⲙⲁⲩ ⲛ̄ⲥⲁⲛⲧⲟⲟⲩ ⲛ̄ⲥⲛⲧⲉ.

I have two daughters, with no consolation other than those two.

ⲛⲟϭ ⲇⲉ ⲃⲱⲕ ⲛ̄ⲧⲟⲟⲧⲛ̄, ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛ̄ϯⲥⲟⲟⲩⲛ ⲁⲛ ϫⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧⲁ-ⲟⲩ ϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟ, ⲕⲁⲛ ⲉϣϫⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧⲙⲟⲩ ϩⲛ̄ϩⲁⲗⲁⲥⲥⲁ, ⲕⲁⲛ ⲉϣϫⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧⲁⲓⲭⲙⲁⲗⲱⲧⲓⲍⲉ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟ ϩⲓⲧⲛ̄ⲛ̄ⲃⲁⲣⲃⲁⲣⲟⲥ, ⲕⲁⲛ ⲉϣϫⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧⲧⲟⲣⲡⲥ̄ ϩⲓⲧⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲑⲏⲣⲓⲟⲛ, ⲉⲓⲉ ⲡⲁⲛⲧⲱⲥ ⲛ̄ⲧⲙⲟⲩ, ⲡⲗⲏⲛ ⲛ̄ϩⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧⲙⲟⲩ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟ, ⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲉⲧⲥⲟⲟⲩⲛ. ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛⲟϭ ⲛ̄ϩⲏⲃⲉ ϣⲱⲡⲉ ϩⲙ̄ⲡⲁⲏⲓ ϩⲓⲧⲙ̄ⲥⲱⲕ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲛ̄ⲉⲧⲙ̄ⲙⲁⲩ, ϫⲉ ⲙ̄ⲡϩⲉ ⲡⲉⲥⲥⲱⲙⲁ ϩⲟⲗⲱⲥ ⲧⲁⲧⲱⲙⲥ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟϥ.

The older one left us, and I don't know what happened to her. Whether she died at sea, or was taken captive by the barbarians, or was attacked by wild animals, she nevertheless died. But how she died… God only knows. And my house was in great mourning over her passing, as I was completely unable to find a body to bury.

ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲣⲥⲟⲗⲥⲗ ⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲕⲟⲩⲓ ϩⲁⲉⲧⲙ̄ⲙⲁⲩ, ϫⲱ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟ ϫⲉ ⲙⲁⲣⲉ-ⲟⲩⲱϣ ⲙ̄ϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ ϣⲱⲡⲉ! ⲁ-ⲕⲉⲙⲕⲁϩ ⲛ̄ϩⲏⲧ ⲧⲁϩⲟ, ϥϩⲟⲟⲩ ⲡⲁⲣⲁⲡⲁⲓ. ⲕⲉⲟⲩⲉⲓ ⲛ̄ⲧⲧⲁϫⲣⲟ ⲉϫⲱ, ϫⲱ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟ ⲙ̄ϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ ϫⲉ ⲉⲓⲥ-ⲧⲉⲓⲕⲉⲟⲩⲉⲓ ⲙⲁⲣⲉⲱⲛϩ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲕⲙⲧⲟ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ! ⲇⲁⲓⲙⲱⲛ ⲟⲛϣϥ̄ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲉⲣⲟ.

When I calmed down a bit over the older one, telling myself, “The Lord's will be done!”, another heartache took hold of me, worse than the previous one. The younger one on whom I relied, telling myself, “May this one live in your presence!”, was possessed by a demon.

ⲧⲛ̄ϩⲁⲣⲉϩ ⲉⲣⲟ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉϩⲟⲟⲩ ⲙⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲩϣⲏ, ϩⲱⲥⲧⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧⲁϫⲟⲟ ϫⲉ ϥⲥⲟⲧⲡ ⲛ̄ϭⲓⲙⲟⲩ ⲛ̄ⲉⲧⲙ̄ⲙⲁⲩ ⲡⲁⲣⲁⲱⲛϩ ⲛ̄ⲧⲁⲓ.

We guard her day and night, so much so that I say that one's death is preferrable to this one's life.

ⲥⲩⲙⲃⲟⲩⲗⲉⲩⲉ ⲛⲁ ϩⲓⲧⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲛⲟϭ ⲙ̄ⲡⲁⲗⲁⲧⲓⲟⲛ ⲧⲣϫⲟⲟⲩⲥ̄ ⲉⲣⲁⲧϥ̄ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲧⲛ̄ⲙⲛⲧⲡⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ. ⲧⲉⲛⲟⲩ ϭⲉ ϫⲱⲕ ⲛ̄ⲧⲁⲡⲓⲥⲧⲓⲥ ⲧⲉ ⲧⲁⲓ ϩⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲙⲉ ϫⲉ ⲙ̄ⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲛⲁⲥⲧⲉ-ⲧⲏⲩⲧⲛ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲁⲛ ϩⲙ̄ⲉⲧⲉⲧⲛⲁⲓⲧⲉⲓ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟϥ. ⲉϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲉⲧⲉⲧⲛ̄ϣⲁⲛⲡⲁⲣⲁⲕⲁⲗⲉⲓ ⲙ̄ϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ, ϥⲛⲁⲭⲁⲣⲓⲍⲉ ⲙ̄ⲧⲁⲗϭⲟ ⲛ̄ⲧⲁϣⲉⲉⲣⲉ ϩⲓⲧⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲧⲛ̄ϣⲗⲏⲗ, ⲛⲁⲥⲛⲏⲩ.

I was advised by the elders of the palace to send her to your holiness. It is now, therefore, my true conviction that God will not refuse you in whatever you ask of him. If you call on the Lord, he will allow my daughter to be healed by your prayers, my brothers.

ⲟⲩϫⲁⲓ, ⲛⲁⲉⲓⲟⲧⲉ ⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ!

Farewell, my holy fathers!

ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲣⲉⲉⲓ ⲇⲉ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲣⲁⲕⲟⲧⲉ, ⲁ-ⲡⲉⲥⲧⲣⲁⲧⲏⲗⲁⲧⲏⲥ ⲙⲛ̄ϩⲏⲅⲉⲙⲱⲛ ⲃⲱⲕ ⲛⲙ̄ⲙⲁ ϣⲓⲏⲧ.

When she arrived in Alexandria, the general and the governor went with her to Scetis.

ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲣⲟⲩⲃⲱⲕ ϣⲁⲡⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ ⲁⲡⲁ ⲡⲁⲙⲃⲱ, ϯ ⲛⲁϥ ⲛ̄ⲉⲡⲓⲥⲧⲟⲗⲏ ⲙ̄ⲣⲣⲟ.

And when they went to the saint Apa Pambo, they handed him the emperor's letter.

ⲁⲩⲱ ϥⲡⲁⲣⲁⲕⲁⲗⲉⲓ ⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲥⲛⲏⲩ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ ⲧⲣⲉϣⲗⲏⲗ ⲉϫⲱ, ϥϫⲱ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟ, ϫⲉ

And he called on all the brothers to pray for her, saying:

ⲙⲁⲣⲉⲥⲟⲡⲥ ⲙ̄ϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ, ⲛ̄ϥⲭⲁⲣⲓⲍⲉ ⲙ̄ⲧⲁⲗϭⲟ ⲛ̄ϣⲉⲉⲣⲉ ⲙ̄ⲣⲣⲟ, ⲕⲁⲓ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲟⲩⲉⲩⲥⲉⲃⲏⲥ ⲡⲉ ϩⲛ̄ϩⲱⲃ ⲛⲓⲙ.

“Let us request to the Lord that he allow the emperor's daughter to be healed, for he is indeed honest in all matters.”

ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲣⲟⲩϩⲓ-ⲧⲟⲟⲧⲟⲩ ⲇⲉ ϣⲗⲏⲗ, ⲁ-ⲇⲁⲓⲙⲱⲛ ϥⲟϭϥ̄ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲉⲣⲟ, ϥⲛⲟⲩϫⲉ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟ ⲉϫⲙ̄ⲕⲁϩ, ϥϩⲓⲧⲉ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟ, ϩⲱⲥⲧⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉ-ⲡⲉⲥⲧⲣⲁⲧⲏⲗⲁⲧⲏⲥ ⲙⲛ̄ϩⲏⲅⲉⲙⲱⲛ ⲣ̄-ϣⲡⲏⲣⲉ ϫⲉ ϥϭⲙϭⲟⲙ ⲃⲱⲕ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲉⲣⲟ ϩⲛ̄ⲙⲏⲧⲉ ⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲓⲡⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ.

When they started praying, a demon took hold of itself in her, and threw her to the ground, and convulsed in her, to such an extent that the general and governor were surprised it was able to enter her amongst these saints.

ⲙⲁⲕⲁⲣⲓⲁ ⲇⲉ ϩⲗⲗⲁⲣⲓⲁ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲣⲉⲛⲁⲩ ⲧⲉⲥⲥⲱⲛⲉ ⲛ̄ⲕⲟⲥⲙⲓⲕⲏ, ⲥⲟⲩⲱⲛⲥ̄, ⲁⲗⲗⲁ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉ-ⲥⲱⲛⲉ ⲛ̄ⲕⲟⲥⲙⲓⲕⲏ ⲥⲟⲩⲛ̄-ⲥⲱⲛⲉ ⲙ̄ⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲟⲥ. ⲛⲁⲥⲟⲩⲱⲛⲥ̄ ⲛ̄ⲁϣ ⲛ̄ϩⲉ, ⲉⲡⲉⲓⲇⲏ ⲁ-ⲛⲉⲥⲥⲁⲣⲝ ϣⲟⲟⲩⲉ ϩⲓⲧⲛ̄ⲁⲥⲕⲏⲥⲓⲥ, ⲁⲩⲱ ⲁ-ⲥⲁ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲥⲥⲱⲙⲁ ϣⲓⲃⲉ ⲙⲛ̄ⲡⲉⲥⲥⲙⲟⲧ, ⲉ-ⲛⲉ-ⲙⲛ̄-ⲗⲁⲁⲩ ⲛ̄ϩⲏⲧⲥ̄ ⲛ̄ⲥⲁⲕⲁⲥ ⲙⲛ̄ϣⲁⲁⲣ? ⲉϫⲛ̄ⲛⲁⲓ ⲇⲉ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ ⲛⲉⲫⲟⲣⲉⲓ ⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲥⲭⲏⲙⲁ ⲛ̄ϩⲟⲟⲩⲧ.

When the blessed Hilaria saw her earthly sister, she recognized her, but the earthly sister did not recognize the virgin sister. How could she, since her flesh dried up through asceticism, and the beauty of her body had changed form, with nothing left but bone and skin? On top of all that, she was wearing a man's robe.

ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲣⲉⲛⲁⲩ ⲇⲉ ⲧⲉⲥⲥⲱⲛⲉ, ⲙⲕⲁϩ ⲛ̄ϩⲏⲧ, ⲁⲩⲱ ⲁ-ⲡⲉⲥⲥⲁ ⲛ̄ϩⲟⲩⲛ ϣⲧⲟⲣⲧⲣ ⲉⲧⲃⲉⲧⲉⲥⲥⲱⲛⲉ, ⲡⲁϩⲧⲥ̄ ⲉϫⲙ̄ⲕⲁϩ ⲣⲓⲙⲉ, ϩⲱⲥⲧⲉ ⲛ̄ϩⲉⲣⲡ-ⲕⲁϩ ϩⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲥⲣⲙ̄ⲉⲓⲟⲟⲩⲉ, ϫⲱ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟ, ϫⲉ

When she saw her sister, she was heartbroken, and felt anxious inside over her sister, and fell to the ground and cried so much that she drenched the ground in her tears, saying:

ϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ ϣⲛϩⲧⲏⲕ ϩⲁⲧⲉⲓⲕⲟⲩⲓ ⲛ̄ϣⲉⲉⲣⲉ!

“Lord have pity on this young girl!”

ⲛⲉⲥⲛⲏⲩ ⲇⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲣⲟⲩⲛⲁⲩ ⲉⲣⲟ, ⲣ̄-ϣⲡⲏⲣⲉ ⲉϫⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲥⲙⲕⲁϩ ⲛ̄ϩⲏⲧ, ⲁⲗⲗⲁ ⲙ̄ⲡⲟⲩⲉⲓⲙⲉ ϩⲱⲃ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲓⲙⲓⲛⲉ, ⲁⲗⲗⲁ ⲛⲉϫⲱ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟ, ϫⲉ

When the brothers saw her, they were in awe at her heartache, but didn't understand this sort of thing. But they did say:

ϥϣⲟⲟⲡ ϩⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲙⲛⲧϣⲛϩⲧⲏϥ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲉⲣⲟ.

“Have pity on her.”

ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲣⲉⲙⲧⲟⲛ ⲇⲉ ⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲕⲟⲩⲓ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲙ̄ϩⲓⲥⲉ ⲙ̄ⲇⲁⲓⲙⲱⲛ, ⲁ-ⲡⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ ⲁⲡⲁ ⲡⲁⲙⲃⲱ ⲙⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲁⲥⲕⲏⲑⲏⲥ ⲛ̄ⲁⲣⲭⲁⲓⲟⲥ, ⲡⲉϫⲁϥ ⲛⲁϥ, ϫⲉ

When she rested a bit from the exhaustion of the demon, the saint Apa Pambo called over an old ascetic, and said to him:

ϫⲓ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲓⲕⲟⲩⲓ ⲛ̄ϣⲉⲉⲣⲉ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲡⲉⲕⲙⲁ ⲛ̄ϣⲱⲡⲉ, ⲛ̄ϣⲗⲏⲗ ⲉϫⲱ ϣⲁⲛⲧⲉ-ϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ ⲭⲁⲣⲓⲍⲉ ⲛⲁ ⲙ̄ⲧⲁⲗϭⲟ.

“Take this young girl to your place, and pray for her until the Lord allows her to be healed.”

ⲛⲧⲟϥ ⲇⲉ ⲡⲉϫⲁϥ ⲛⲁϥ, ϫⲉ

But he said to him:

ⲙ̄ⲡⲁϯⲡⲱϩ ⲛⲉⲓϣⲓ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲓϭⲟⲧ ⲧⲣϫⲓ-ⲥϩⲓⲙⲉ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲡⲁⲙⲁ ⲛ̄ϣⲱⲡⲉ. ⲡⲉⲓϩⲱⲃ ⲡⲁⲓ ⲡⲁ-ϩⲉⲛⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲛ̄ⲁⲧⲡⲁⲑⲟⲥ ⲛⲉ!

“I haven't yet reached the requirements to take a woman to my place. This is something reserved for unemotional people!”

ⲡⲉⲫⲓⲗⲟⲥⲟⲫⲟⲥ ⲇⲉ ⲁⲡⲁ ⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲓⲟⲛ ⲡⲉϫⲁϥ, ϫⲉ

And the philosopher Apa Martyrion said:

ⲧⲁⲁ ⲛ̄ⲉⲗⲗⲁⲣⲓⲟⲛ ⲡⲉⲥⲓⲟⲩⲣ, ⲛⲧⲟϥ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲉⲧⲉⲟⲩⲛ̄-ϣϭⲟⲙ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟϥ ϫⲓ-ⲥϩⲓⲙⲉ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲡⲉϥⲙⲁ ⲛ̄ϣⲱⲡⲉ.

“Hand her to Hilarion the Eunuch, for he has the power to take a woman to his place.”

ⲁⲩⲱ ϥϯ ⲛ̄ⲕⲟⲩⲓ ⲛ̄ϣⲉⲉⲣⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧⲟⲟⲧⲥ̄ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲥⲥⲱⲛⲉ, ϫⲓⲧⲥ̄ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲡⲉⲥⲙⲁ ⲛ̄ϣⲱⲡⲉ.

And he handed the young girl to her sister, and she took her to her place.

ⲉⲥϣⲁⲛⲧⲱⲟⲩⲛ ϣⲗⲏⲗ, ⲛⲉ-ϣⲁϣⲗⲏⲗ ⲛⲙ̄ⲙⲁ. ⲉⲥϣⲁⲛϭⲱϣⲧ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ ϩⲣⲁ, ϣⲁⲣⲉ-ⲡⲉⲥⲥⲁ ⲛ̄ϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲃⲱⲗ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ, ϣⲁⲡⲁϩⲧⲥ̄ ⲉϫⲙ̄ⲕⲁϩ ⲛ̄ⲣⲓⲙⲉ ϣⲁⲛⲧⲉϩⲉⲣⲡ-ⲕⲁϩ ϩⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲥⲣⲙ̄ⲉⲓⲟⲟⲩⲉ. ⲉⲥϣⲁⲛⲧⲱⲟⲩⲛ ⲇⲉ ⲟⲛ, ϣⲁϩⲟⲗϭ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲉⲣⲟ ⲛ̄ϯ-ⲡⲉⲓ ⲣⲱ. ϩⲉⲛⲥⲟⲡ ⲇⲉ ⲟⲛ, ϣⲁⲛⲕⲟⲧⲕ ϩⲓϫⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲡⲟⲓ ⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲱⲧ ⲛⲙ̄ⲙⲁ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲩϣⲏ ⲧⲏⲣⲥ̄.

When she'd get up to pray, she'd pray with her. When she'd look at her, she'd come apart inside, and fall to the ground and cry until she drenched the ground in her tears. Also when she'd get up, she'd hug her and kiss her on the mouth. At times, also, she'd sleep in the same bed with her all night.

Hilaria's sister is healed

ⲁⲩⲱ ⲙⲛ̄ⲛ̄ⲥⲁⲥⲁϣϥ ⲇⲉ ⲛ̄ϩⲟⲟⲩ, ⲁ-ϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ ⲭⲁⲣⲓⲍⲉ ⲛⲁ ⲙ̄ⲧⲁⲗϭⲟ.

And after seven days, the Lord allowed her to be healed.

ⲛⲧⲥ̄ ⲙⲏⲧⲉ ⲛ̄ⲉⲕⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ, ⲡⲉϫⲁ ⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲥⲛⲏⲩ, ϫⲉ

She brought her to the center of the church, and said to the brothers:

ϩⲓⲧⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲧⲛ̄ϣⲗⲏⲗ ⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ, ⲁ-ϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ ⲭⲁⲣⲓⲍⲉ ⲙ̄ⲧⲁⲗϭⲟ ⲛ̄ϣⲉⲉⲣⲉ ⲙ̄ⲣⲣⲟ!

“Through your holy prayers, the Lord has allowed the emperor's daughter to be healed!”

ⲡⲉⲥⲧⲣⲁⲧⲏⲗⲁⲧⲏⲥ ⲇⲉ ⲙⲛ̄ϩⲏⲅⲉⲙⲱⲛ ⲥⲩⲛⲁⲅⲉ ϩⲁϩⲧⲏ ⲛ̄ⲕⲩⲣⲓⲁⲕⲏ, ⲁⲩⲱ ⲕⲟⲧⲟⲩ ⲧⲣⲉⲃⲱⲕ ⲧⲉⲩⲡⲁⲧⲣⲓⲥ.

The general and the governor held service with them on Sunday, and went back home.

ⲛⲉⲥⲛⲏⲩ ⲇⲉ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ ⲉⲧϩⲛ̄ϣⲓⲏⲧ ⲥϩⲁⲓ ⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲉⲡⲓⲥⲧⲟⲗⲏ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲓⲧⲟⲟⲧⲥ̄ ⲛ̄ϣⲉⲉⲣⲉ ⲙ̄ⲣⲣⲟ ϣⲁⲡⲉⲥⲉⲓⲱⲧ, ⲥⲏϩ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲓⲧⲩⲡⲟⲥ:

All the brothers in Scetis prepared a letter from the emperor's daughter to her father, written as so:

ⲛⲉⲓⲉⲗⲁⲭⲓⲥⲧⲟⲥ ⲉⲧϩⲙ̄ⲧⲟⲟⲩ ⲙ̄ϩⲟⲥⲙ, ⲥϩⲁⲓ ⲉⲣⲁⲧϥ̄ ⲙ̄ⲣⲉϥϫⲣⲟ ⲛ̄ⲁⲩⲅⲟⲩⲥⲧⲟⲥ ⲡⲁ-ⲁⲙⲁϩⲧⲉ ⲉⲧⲧⲁⲓⲏⲩ ⲛ̄ⲣⲣⲟ ⲍⲏⲛⲱⲛ.

These lowly ones in Mount Natron, writing to the victorious, august, and most glorious one, Emperor Zeno.

>ϩⲁϩⲏ ⲙⲉⲛ ⲙ̄ϣⲁϫⲉ, ⲧⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲱϣⲧ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲕⲕⲣⲁⲧⲟⲥ ⲉⲧⲧⲁⲓⲏⲩ. ⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ϥⲣ̄-ϫⲓⲥⲉ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲕⲑⲣⲟⲛⲟⲥ, ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛ̄ϥϩⲁⲣⲉϩ ⲧⲉⲕⲙⲛⲧⲣⲣⲟ ⲛ̄ϩⲉ ⲛ̄ⲇⲁⲩⲉⲓⲇ, ⲙⲛ̄ⲥⲟⲗⲟⲙⲱⲛ, ⲙⲛ̄ⲉⲍⲉⲭⲓⲁⲥ, ⲙⲛ̄ⲓⲱⲥⲓⲁⲥ, ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛ̄ϥⲇⲓⲟⲓⲕⲉⲓ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲕⲙⲛⲧⲣⲣⲟ ⲁϫⲛ̄ⲗⲁⲁⲩ ⲛ̄ϣⲧⲟⲣⲧⲣ ϩⲓⲧⲁⲣⲁⲭⲏ. ⲟⲩϫⲁⲓ ϩⲙ̄ϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ, ϥⲓ-ⲣⲟⲟⲩϣ ϩⲁⲣⲟ ⲁⲩⲱ ϩⲁⲉⲕⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ ⲧⲏⲣⲥ̄!

Prior to the matter, we worship your glorious power. May God make your throne tall, and guard your kingdom like he did with David, Solomon, Hezekiah, and Josiah, and manage your kingdom without any trouble or disturbance. Be well in the Lord, looking after us and the entire church!

ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲓϩⲉ, ⲉⲓ ⲕⲱⲛⲥⲧⲁⲛⲧⲓⲛⲟⲩⲡⲟⲗⲓⲥ.

And like this, they came to Constantinople.

Emperor throws celebration

ⲛⲟϭ ⲛ̄ⲣⲁϣⲉ ϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲉϫⲙ̄ⲧⲁⲗϭⲟ ⲛ̄ϣⲉⲉⲣⲉ ⲙ̄ⲣⲣⲟ, ⲁⲩⲱ ⲁ-ⲣⲣⲟ ⲉⲓⲣⲉ ⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲁⲣⲓⲥⲧⲟⲛ ⲛⲉϭⲱⲃ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ ⲛ̄ⲧϥϩⲉ ⲉⲣⲟⲟⲩ ϩⲛ̄ⲡⲟⲗⲓⲥ, ⲙⲛ̄ⲉⲧ ⲛ̄ϭⲁⲗⲏ, ⲙⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲟⲛ ⲛⲓⲙ ⲉⲧ ⲛ̄ϣϭⲁ ϩⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲩⲥⲱⲙⲁ. ⲛⲉϥⲁϩⲉ ⲇⲉ ⲉⲣⲁⲧϥ̄ ⲛ̄ϭⲓⲣⲣⲟ, ϥⲙⲏⲣ ϥⲇⲓⲁⲕⲟⲛⲉⲓ ⲉⲣⲟⲟⲩ, ⲉ-ϥϯ ⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲕⲣⲁⲥⲓⲥ ⲛ̄ⲕⲟⲛⲇⲓⲧⲟⲛ ⲙ̄ⲟⲩⲁ ⲟⲩⲁ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟⲟⲩ ϩⲛ̄ⲧⲉϥϭⲓϫ ⲙⲛ̄ϣⲟⲙⲛⲧ ⲛ̄ⲛⲟⲙⲓⲥⲙⲁ ϭⲓϫ ⲙ̄ⲟⲩⲁ ⲟⲩⲁ.

There was great rejoice over the healing of the emperor's daughter, and the emperor held a feast for all the disadvantaged and disabled he found in the city, along with those with wounds on their body. The emperor had been standing, committedly attending to them, handing to each of them a blend of wine and three coins in each one's hand.

ⲙ̄ⲡⲉϥⲣⲁⲥⲧⲉ ⲇⲉ ϥⲉⲓⲣⲉ ⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲁⲣⲓⲥⲧⲟⲛ ⲛ̄ⲛⲟϭ ⲙ̄ⲡⲁⲗⲁⲧⲓⲟⲛ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ, ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛⲉϥⲣⲁϣⲉ ⲙ̄ⲙⲁⲧⲉ ⲉϫⲙ̄ⲧⲁⲗϭⲟ ⲛ̄ⲧϥϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉϥϣⲉⲉⲣⲉ.

The next day he held a feast for all the important people of the palace, and rejoiced greatly over the healing that happened to his daughter.

ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲣⲉϥϫⲛⲉ-ⲧⲉϥϣⲉⲉⲣⲉ, ϥϫⲱ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟ, ϫⲉ

And when he asked his daughter,

ⲟⲩ ⲡⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧϥϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟ, ⲧⲁϣⲉⲉⲣⲉ?

“What happened to you, my daughter?”

ⲛⲧⲟⲥ ⲇⲉ ⲡⲉϫⲁ ⲛⲁϥ, ϫⲉ

She said to him:

ⲧⲁⲁ ⲉⲧⲟⲟⲧϥ̄ ⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲁⲥⲕⲏⲑⲏⲥ, ⲉ-ⲡⲉϥⲣⲁⲛ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲁⲥⲟⲛ ⲉⲗⲗⲁⲣⲓⲟⲛ. ⲉⲧⲙ̄ⲙⲁⲩ ϥϣⲗⲏⲗ ⲉϫⲱ, ⲁ-ϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ ⲭⲁⲣⲓⲍⲉ ⲛⲁ ⲙ̄ⲧⲁⲗϭⲟ ϩⲓⲧⲛ̄ⲛⲉϥϣⲗⲏⲗ. ⲟⲩⲛⲟϭ ⲧⲉ ⲧⲉϥⲙⲛⲧϣⲛϩⲧⲏϥ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲉⲣⲟ, ⲟⲩⲙⲏⲏϣⲉ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲛ̄ⲥⲟⲡ ϣⲁϥⲁⲥⲡⲁⲍⲉ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟ ⲧⲁⲧⲁⲡⲣⲟ, ϩⲉⲛⲥⲟⲡ ⲇⲉ ⲟⲛ ϣⲁϥⲛⲕⲟⲧⲕ ⲛⲙ̄ⲙⲁ ϩⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲡⲟⲓ ⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲱⲧ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲩϣⲏ ⲧⲏⲣⲥ̄.

“They handed me over to an ascetic, whose name was my brother Hilarion. He prayed for me, and the Lord allowed me to be healed through his prayers. His compassion for me was great, as many times he would kiss me on the mouth, and would also at times sleep with me in the same bed all night.”

ⲣⲣⲟ ⲇⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲣⲉϥⲥⲱⲧⲙ ⲛⲁⲓ, ⲁ-ϩⲱⲃ ϣⲱⲡⲉ ϥϩⲟⲣϣ ⲛⲁϩⲣⲁϥ, ⲡⲉϫⲁϥ, ϫⲉ

When the emperor heard these things, something weighed on him, and he said:

ⲙ̄ⲡⲥⲱⲧⲙ ⲉⲛⲉϩ ϫⲉ ϣⲁⲣⲉ-ⲙⲟⲛⲁⲭⲟⲥ ⲁⲥⲡⲁⲍⲉ ⲛ̄ⲥϩⲓⲙⲉ, ⲛ̄ϥⲛⲕⲟⲧⲕ ϩⲓϫⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲡⲟⲓ ⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲱⲧ ⲛⲙ̄ⲙⲁ, ⲁⲗⲗⲁ ⲛ̄ϣⲁⲥⲱⲧⲙ ϫⲉ ⲥⲉⲙⲟⲥⲧⲉ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲓⲅⲉⲛⲟⲥ ϫⲉ ⲥϩⲓⲙⲉ, ⲉⲧⲃⲉⲡⲁⲓ ⲣⲱ ⲛⲉⲃⲏⲕ ϫⲁⲓⲉ, ⲁⲩⲱ ϫⲉ ⲙⲉⲁⲛⲉⲭⲉ ⲣ̄-ϣⲁϫⲉ ⲛⲙ̄ⲙⲁ ⲧⲏⲣϥ.

“I've never heard of a monk kissing a woman, or sleeping in the same bed with her, but rather I've heard that they hate the female gender, and have gone into the desert for merely this reason, and can't stand to mention them at all.”

ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛⲉⲣⲉ-ⲡⲉⲓⲙⲉⲉⲩⲉ ⲡⲁⲓ ϣⲧⲟⲣⲧⲣ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟϥ.

And this very thought troubled him.

ⲧⲟⲧⲉ ⲣⲣⲟ ϥⲥϩⲁⲓ ⲛ̄ⲙⲉϩⲥⲛⲧⲉ ⲛ̄ⲉⲡⲓⲥⲧⲟⲗⲏ ϣⲓⲏⲧ, ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲓϩⲉ:

The emperor then wrote the second letter to Scetis, like so:

ⲁⲩⲅⲟⲩⲥⲧⲟⲥ ⲛ̄ⲣⲉϥϫⲣⲟ ⲍⲏⲛⲱⲛ, ϥⲥϩⲁⲓ ⲉⲣⲁⲧⲟⲩ ⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲛⲉⲓⲟⲧⲉ ⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ ⲛ̄ⲉⲩⲥⲉⲃⲏⲥ ⲉⲧⲟⲩⲏϩ ϩⲛ̄ϣⲓⲏⲧ, ϫⲉ ϯϣⲉⲡ-ϩⲙⲟⲧ ⲛ̄ⲧⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲧⲛ̄ϣⲗⲏⲗ, ⲁⲩⲱ ⲙⲛ̄-ϭⲟⲙ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟ ⲙⲉϩ-ⲡⲉⲭⲣⲉⲟⲥ ⲉⲧⲉⲣⲟ ⲛ̄ⲧⲟⲟⲧϥ̄ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲧⲛ̄ⲙⲛⲧⲡⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ, ⲉⲧⲉⲡⲉϩⲙⲟⲧ ⲡⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧⲁ-ⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲁⲁϥ ⲛⲙ̄ⲙⲁ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲓⲧⲟⲟⲧⲟⲩ ⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲧⲛ̄ϣⲗⲏⲗ.

The august, victorious Zeno, writing to our holy and honest fathers residing in Scetis: I am thankful for your prayers, and cannot repay my debt to your holiness, namely the favor that God has done for me through your prayers.

ϯⲟⲩⲱϣ ⲟⲩⲛ ⲧⲣⲉⲧⲉⲧⲛ̄ϣⲱⲡ ⲉⲣⲱⲧⲛ̄ ⲙ̄ⲡⲁⲧⲱϩⲙ, ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲧⲛ̄ⲧⲛⲛⲟⲟⲩ ⲛⲁ ⲙ̄ⲡⲁⲥⲟⲛ ⲉⲗⲗⲁⲣⲓⲟⲛ, ϫⲉ ⲟⲩⲛ̄-ⲟⲩⲛⲟϭ ⲛ̄ⲣⲱⲙⲉ ϣⲱⲛⲉ ϩⲙ̄ⲡⲁⲗⲁⲧⲓⲟⲛ, ⲁⲩⲱ ⲙⲛ̄-ϣϭⲟⲙ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟϥ ⲡⲉⲣⲁ ⲛ̄ϩⲁⲗⲁⲥⲥⲁ ⲉⲧⲃⲉⲁϣⲁⲓ ⲙ̄ϣⲱⲛⲉ ⲉⲧϩⲓϫⲱϥ. ⲥⲱⲧⲙ ⲅⲁⲣ ϣⲉⲛⲟⲩϥⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉϥⲙⲛⲧⲡⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ, ⲁⲩⲱ ϯⲡⲓⲥⲧⲉⲩⲉ ϫⲉ ⲉϥϣⲁⲛⲉⲓ ϣⲁⲣⲟ, ⲧⲛ̄ⲛⲁϭⲛ-ϩⲏⲩ ⲧⲏⲣⲛ̄ ϩⲓⲧⲛ̄ⲛⲉϥϣⲗⲏⲗ.

I would thus like for you to accept my request and send me the brother Hilarion, since there is an important man in the palace who is ill, and he cannot cross the sea due to the severity of his illness. I've heard the good news about his holiness, and believe that if he comes to us, we will all benefit from his prayers.

Hilaria is sent to Constantinople

ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲣⲟⲩⲥⲱⲧⲙ ⲇⲉ ⲉⲡⲓⲥⲧⲟⲗⲏ ⲙ̄ⲣⲣⲟ, ϥⲙⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲙⲁⲕⲁⲣⲓⲁ ϩⲗⲗⲁⲣⲓⲁ, ⲡⲉϫⲁ ⲛⲁ, ϫⲉ

When they heard what was in the emperor's letter, they called over the blessed Hilaria, and said to her:

ⲁⲣⲓ-ⲡⲉⲕⲣⲟⲟⲩϣ, ⲥⲟⲛ, ϫⲉ ⲁ-ⲣⲣⲟ ⲧⲛⲛⲟⲟⲩ ⲛ̄ⲥⲱ!

“Take heed, brother, because the emperor has sent for you!”

ⲙⲁⲕⲁⲣⲓⲁ ⲇⲉ ϩⲗⲗⲁⲣⲓⲁ ⲙⲕⲁϩ ⲛ̄ϩⲏⲧ ⲉⲙⲁⲧⲉ.

The blessed Hilaria was very heartbroken.

ⲛⲉⲥⲛⲏⲩ ⲇⲉ ⲥⲗⲥⲱⲗⲥ̄, ϫⲱ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟ, ϫⲉ

Her brothers consoled her, saying:

ⲧⲱⲟⲩⲛ ⲛ̄ⲃⲱⲕ, ⲥⲟⲛ. ϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ ⲛⲁⲙⲟⲟϣⲉ ⲛⲙ̄ⲙⲁ, ⲛ̄ϥⲥⲧⲟ ϩⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲉⲓⲣⲏⲛⲏ!

“Get up and go, brother. The Lord will accompany you, and send you back peacefully!”

ⲧⲛⲛⲟⲟⲩ ⲛⲙ̄ⲙⲁ ⲛ̄ⲕⲉⲥⲟⲛ ⲥⲛⲁⲩ ⲉ-ⲣ̄-ⲛⲟϭ ϩⲛ̄ϩⲏⲗⲓⲕⲓⲁ.

They sent with her another two older brothers.

ⲁⲩⲱ ⲧⲁⲓ ⲧⲉ ϩⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲓ ⲕⲱⲛⲥⲧⲁⲛⲧⲓⲛⲟⲩⲡⲟⲗⲓⲥ.

And that's how they came to Constantinople.

Emperor talks to Hilaria

ⲣⲣⲟ ⲇⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲣⲉϥⲥⲱⲧⲙ ϫⲉ ⲉⲓ, ϥⲣⲁϣⲉ ⲉⲙⲁⲧⲉ, ϥⲟⲩⲉϩ-ⲥⲁϩⲛⲉ ⲧⲣⲉⲛⲧⲟⲩ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲛⲁϥ ϩⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲛⲟϭ ⲛ̄ⲣⲁϣⲉ ⲙⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲉⲟⲟⲩ.

When the emperor heard that they had come, he was very excited, and ordered them brought in to him with great rejoice and glory.

ⲁⲩⲱ ϥⲉⲓ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲁⲧⲉⲩϩⲏ, ϣⲁⲙⲉϩϣⲟⲙⲛⲧ ⲛ̄ⲣⲟ ⲙ̄ⲡⲁⲗⲁⲧⲓⲟⲛ.

And he came out in front of them, up to the third gate of the palace.

ϥϩⲟⲗϭ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲉⲣⲟⲟⲩ ⲁⲩⲱ ϥϯ-ⲡⲉⲓ ⲉϫⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲩⲁⲡⲉ, ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲣⲟⲩⲃⲱⲕ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ ϥⲧⲣⲉⲉⲓⲛⲉ ⲛ̄ϩⲉⲛⲥⲩⲙⲯⲉⲗⲓⲟⲛ ϭⲟⲟⲗⲉ ⲛ̄ϩⲁⲧ ϥⲕⲁⲁ ϩⲁⲣⲟⲟⲩ, ⲁⲩⲱ ϩⲙⲟⲟⲥ ϣⲁϫⲉ ⲛⲙ̄ⲙⲁϥ ϩⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲅⲣⲁⲫⲏ.

He hugged them and kissed them on the head, and when they went in, he had seats of furnished silver brought out and set down for them, and they sat and spoke with him about scripture.

ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛⲉϥⲥⲱⲧⲙ ⲉⲣⲟⲟⲩ ϩⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲧⲱⲧ ⲛ̄ϩⲏⲧ, ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛⲉϥⲡⲁⲣⲁⲕⲁⲗⲉⲓ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟⲟⲩ, ϥϫⲱ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟ, ϫⲉ

And he was listening to them in agreement, and he requested of them:

ϣⲗⲏⲗ ⲉϫⲱ, ⲛ̄ⲧⲉ-ϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ ϩⲁⲣⲉϩ ⲉⲣⲟ ϩⲛ̄ⲡⲓⲥⲧⲓⲥ ⲛ̄ⲛⲁⲉⲓⲟⲧⲉ.

“Pray for me, and the Lord will protect me through the faith of my fathers.”

ⲁⲩⲱ ϥⲧⲱⲟⲩⲛ ϥⲥⲉⲕ-ⲙⲁⲕⲁⲣⲓⲁ ϩⲗⲗⲁⲣⲓⲁ ⲛ̄ⲥⲁⲟⲩⲥⲁ ⲙⲁⲩⲁⲁ, ϥϣⲁϫⲉ ⲛⲙ̄ⲙⲁ, ϥϫⲱ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟ, ϫⲉ

And he got up and took the blessed Hilaria aside by herself, and spoke with her, saying:

ⲡⲁⲉⲓⲱⲧ ⲉⲗⲗⲁⲣⲓⲟⲛ, ϯⲣ̄-ⲭⲣⲉⲓⲁ ⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲕϣⲗⲏⲗ. ϯⲟⲩⲱϣ ϫⲛⲟⲩ ϣⲁϫⲉ, ⲙⲟⲛⲟⲛ ⲙ̄ⲡⲣ̄ϯ-ⲟⲥⲉ. ϫⲟⲟ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲛⲁ ⲛ̄ϭⲓⲧⲁϣⲉⲉⲣⲉ ϫⲉ ϩⲁϩ ⲛ̄ⲥⲟⲡ ϣⲁⲁⲥⲡⲁⲍⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧⲁⲧⲁⲡⲣⲟ, ⲁⲩⲱ ϫⲉ ϣⲁⲛⲕⲟⲧⲕ ϩⲓϫⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲡⲟⲓ ⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲱⲧ ⲛⲙ̄ⲙⲁ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲩϣⲏ ⲧⲏⲣⲥ̄.

“My father Hilarion, I need your prayers. I want to ask you something, take no offense. My daughter has said to me ‘you would kiss me on the mouth,’ and ‘you would sleep in the same bed with me all night.’

ⲙⲁ-ⲧⲁⲙⲟ ⲙⲉ, ϫⲉ ⲉⲓⲣⲉ ⲙ̄ⲡⲁⲓ ⲉⲧⲃⲉⲟⲩⲙⲛⲧϣⲛϩⲧⲏϥ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲉⲣⲟ? ϯⲟⲩⲱϣ ⲉⲓⲙⲉ ⲙⲉ ϫⲉⲕⲁⲁⲥ ⲉⲓⲉⲕⲁⲑⲁⲣⲓⲍⲉ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲙ̄ⲡⲉϫⲣⲟⲡ. ⲛⲧⲟⲕ ϩⲱⲱ, ⲙ̄ⲡⲣ̄ϯ-ⲟⲥⲉ ⲉⲧⲃⲉϣⲁϫⲉ.

Tell me the truth: Do you do this out of compassion for her? I want to know the truth so I can handle any misunderstanding. You as well, do not be offended over this matter.”

ⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲟⲥ ⲇⲉ ⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ ⲙⲉⲕⲙⲟⲩⲕⲥ̄, ϫⲱ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟ, ϫⲉ

The holy virgin thought to herself:

ϯⲟⲩⲱϣ ϩⲉⲡ-ϣⲁϫⲉ ⲁⲗⲗⲁ ϫⲉ ⲛ̄ⲛⲉ-ⲕⲉⲥⲉⲉⲡⲉ ⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲙⲟⲛⲁⲭⲟⲥ ϯ-ⲟⲥⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧⲁⲁⲫⲟⲣⲙⲏ ⲧⲣⲉⲙⲉⲉⲩⲉ ⲧⲱⲗⲙ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲓⲙⲓⲛⲉ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ

“I want to hide this matter… but, so that the rest of the monks won't suffer and have such impure thoughts towards the saints because of me…”

ⲁⲩⲱ ⲡⲉϫⲁ ⲛⲁϥ, ϫⲉ

And she said to him:

ⲁⲛⲓⲛⲉ ⲛⲁ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉϥⲧⲟⲟⲩ ⲛ̄ⲉⲩⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲓⲟⲛ ⲡⲓⲙⲁ, ⲛ̄ⲱⲣⲕ ⲛⲁ ϫⲉ ⲛ̄ⲛⲁⲟⲩⲉⲛϩ-ϩⲱⲃ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲁⲛ, ⲟⲩⲇⲉ ⲛ̄ⲛⲁⲕⲱⲗⲩ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟ ⲁⲛ ⲃⲱⲕ ⲡⲁⲙⲟⲛⲁⲥⲧⲏⲣⲓⲟⲛ.

“Bring the four gospels here to me, and swear to me that you will not reveal this, or prevent me from going to my monastery.”

ⲁⲩⲱ ϥⲱⲣⲕ ⲛⲁ ⲛ̄ϭⲓⲣⲣⲟ.

And the emperor swore to her.

ⲡⲉϫⲁ ⲛⲁϥ, ϫⲉ

She said to him:

ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲡⲉ, ϩⲗⲗⲁⲣⲓⲁ, ⲧⲉⲕϣⲉⲉⲣⲉ.

“It's me, Hilaria, your daughter.”

ⲣⲣⲟ ⲇⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲣⲉϥⲥⲱⲧⲙ, ϥϣⲧⲟⲣⲧⲣ, ⲁⲩⲱ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉϥϣϭⲙϭⲟⲙ ϣⲁϫⲉ ⲛ̄ⲛⲁⲟⲩⲟⲩⲛⲟⲩ. ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲣⲉϥⲁⲓⲥⲑⲁⲛⲉ, ϥϯ-ⲡⲉϥⲟⲩⲟⲓ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲧⲉϥϣⲉⲉⲣⲉ ϥⲡⲁϩⲧϥ̄ ⲉϩⲣⲁⲓ ⲉϫⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲥⲙⲁⲕϩ, ⲛ̄ϩⲉ ⲛ̄ⲓⲱⲥⲏⲫ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲓⲟⲩⲟⲉⲓϣ ⲛ̄ⲧϥⲟⲩⲱϣⲧ ⲉϫⲙ̄ⲙⲁⲕϩ ⲛ̄ⲓⲁⲕⲱⲃ ⲡⲉϥⲉⲓⲱⲧ. ⲁⲩⲱ ϥϯ-ⲡⲉⲓ ⲣⲱ, ϥⲣⲓⲙⲉ.

When the emperor heard this, he was anxious, and couldn't speak for about an hour. And when he came to, he made his way to his daughter and threw himself around her neck, like Joseph did when he embraced the neck of Jacob his father. He then kissed her on the mouth, weeping.

ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲣⲟⲩⲥⲱⲧⲙ ⲛ̄ϭⲓⲧⲉⲥⲙⲁⲁⲩ ⲙⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲥⲥⲱⲛⲉ, ϭⲉⲡⲏ ⲉⲓ ⲱϣ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ, ⲉⲡⲉⲓⲇⲏ ϩⲉⲛⲣⲉϥϣⲧⲟⲣⲧⲣ ⲛⲉ ⲛⲉϩⲓⲟⲙⲉ ϩⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲩⲫⲩⲥⲓⲥ.

And when her mother and sister heard, they rushed out crying, since women are excitable by nature.

ⲣⲣⲟ ⲇⲉ ϥⲕⲱⲗⲩ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟⲟⲩ, ϥϫⲱ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟ, ϫⲉ

The emperor stopped them, saying:

ϯ ⲛⲁ ⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲁⲛⲁϣ, ⲁⲩⲱ ⲙⲛ̄-ϭⲟⲙ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟ ⲡⲁⲣⲁⲃⲁ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟ.

“I have given her an oath, and cannot break it.”

ⲡⲉϫⲉ-ⲧⲉⲥⲙⲁⲁⲩ ⲛⲁϥ, ϫⲉ

Her mother said to him:

ⲙⲁⲣⲉⲕⲁⲁ ϩⲁϩⲧⲏ, ⲛ̄ⲧⲛ̄ϯ ⲉϫⲱ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉϭⲣⲏⲡⲉ ⲛ̄ⲙⲛⲧⲣⲣⲟ.

“Let's keep her with us, and put a royal diadem on her.”

ⲣⲣⲟ ⲇⲉ ⲡⲉϫⲁϥ, ϫⲉ

The emperor said:

ⲙⲙⲟⲛ, ⲙⲏⲡⲟⲧⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉ-ϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ ϭⲱⲛⲧ ⲉⲣⲟ ⲛ̄ϥⲁⲁ ⲛ̄ⲁⲧϣⲉⲉⲣⲉ ⲙ̄ⲙⲁⲩ ⲛ̄ⲥⲛ̄ⲧⲉ, ⲁⲗⲗⲁ ⲙⲁⲣⲉϯ-ⲉⲟⲟⲩ ⲙ̄ⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ϫⲉ ϩⲉ ⲉⲣⲟ ⲣⲱ ⲟⲛϩ!

“No, lest the Lord be angry with us and make us daughterless twice over. Let's give glory to God that we even found her alive!”

ⲁⲩⲱ ⲁ-ⲣⲣⲟ ϩⲉⲡ-ϩⲱⲃ ⲛⲉⲥⲛⲏⲩ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲓ ⲛⲙ̄ⲙⲁ, ⲛ̄ϩⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧϥⲱⲣⲕ ⲛⲁ.

And the emperor hid the matter from the brothers who had come with her, as he'd sworn to her.

ϥⲕⲁⲧⲉⲭⲉ ⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲥⲛⲏⲩ ϩⲁϩⲧⲏϥ ϣⲟⲙⲛⲧ ⲛ̄ⲉⲃⲟⲧ ⲉⲧⲃⲉⲧⲉϥϣⲉⲉⲣⲉ, ϫⲉⲕⲁⲁⲥ ⲉϥⲉϭⲱ ϥⲛⲁⲩ ⲉⲣⲟ ⲙ̄ⲙⲏⲛⲉ.

He kept the brothers with him for three months for the sake of his daughter, so that he could continue seeing her every day.

ϥϫⲛⲟⲩ ⲇⲉ ⲉⲧⲃⲉϩⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲓ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲙ̄ⲡⲉϥⲏⲓ. ⲁⲩⲱ ⲧⲁⲙⲟϥ ⲉⲧⲃⲉϩⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧⲫⲟⲣⲉⲓ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲥⲭⲏⲙⲁ ⲛ̄ⲥⲧⲣⲁⲧⲏⲗⲁⲧⲏⲥ, ⲙⲛ̄ϩⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲓ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲣⲁⲕⲟⲧⲉ, ⲙⲛ̄ϩⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧⲃⲱⲕ ϣⲓⲏⲧ ⲙⲛ̄ⲇⲓⲁⲕⲟⲛⲟⲥ.

He asked her how she left his palace. And she explained to him how she wore a general's wear, and how she entered Alexandria, and how she went to Scetis with the deacon.

ⲙⲛ̄ⲛ̄ⲥⲱ ϥⲥⲩⲛⲧⲁⲍⲉ ⲛⲁ, ⲡⲱⲧ ⲡⲉⲩⲙⲁ.

Afterwards he held service with them, and they headed back home.

ⲣⲣⲟ ⲇⲉ ϥⲕⲁ-ϣⲟⲙⲛⲧ ⲛ̄ϣⲟ ⲛ̄ⲉⲣⲧⲟⲃ ⲛ̄ⲥⲟⲩⲟ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϣⲓⲏⲧ ⲉⲧⲃⲉⲧⲉⲭⲣⲉⲓⲁ ⲙⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲡⲣⲟⲥⲫⲟⲣⲁ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉϥϣⲉⲉⲣⲉ, ⲙⲛ̄ⲥⲟⲟⲩ ⲛ̄ϣⲉ ⲛ̄ⲝⲉⲥⲧⲏⲥ ⲛ̄ⲛⲉϩ. ⲁⲩⲱ ⲥⲉⲙⲏⲛ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲛ̄ⲉⲕⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ ⲛ̄ϣⲓⲏⲧ ϣⲁϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲡⲟⲟⲩ ⲛ̄ϩⲟⲟⲩ.

The emperor allotted 3,000 dry measures of wheat to Scetis due to the requirement and commitment of his daughter, and 600 liquid measures of oil. And they remain in the church of Scetis until this very day.

Hilaria's final years in Scetis

ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲣⲉⲉⲓ ⲇⲉ ϣⲓⲏⲧ, ⲱⲛϩ ⲛ̄ⲕⲉⲙⲛⲧⲥⲛⲟⲟⲩⲥⲉ ⲛ̄ⲣⲟⲙⲡⲉ. ϩⲁⲉ ⲇⲉ ϩⲉ ⲉϩⲣⲁⲓ ϣⲱⲛⲉ, ⲉⲧⲉϣⲁⲙⲟⲩ ⲛ̄ϩⲏⲧϥ̄, ϩⲩⲡⲟⲙⲓⲛⲉ ⲉⲣⲟϥ ϩⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲙⲛⲧϫⲱⲱⲣⲉ.

When she came to Scetis, she lived another twelve years. In the end, she succumbed to illness, from which she died, and endured it courageously.

ⲙⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲡⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ ⲁⲡⲁ ⲡⲁⲙⲃⲱ ⲧⲁⲣⲕⲟϥ, ϫⲱ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟ, ϫⲉ

She called over the saint Apa Pambo, and had him swear, saying:

ⲉⲓϣⲁⲛϫⲱⲕ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲙ̄ⲡⲁⲃⲓⲟⲥ, ⲉⲡⲉⲓⲇⲏ ⲛⲧⲟⲕ ⲉⲧⲥⲟⲟⲩⲛ ⲙ̄ⲧⲱϣ ⲧⲏⲣϥ̄ ⲙ̄ⲡⲁⲃⲓⲟⲥ ⲙⲛ̄ⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ, ⲙ̄ⲡⲣ̄ⲧⲣⲉⲕⲁⲁ ⲕⲁϩⲏⲩ ⲛ̄ⲧⲁⲗⲉⲃⲓⲧⲟⲛ, ⲁⲗⲗⲁ ⲙⲁⲣⲟⲩⲕⲟⲟⲥⲧ̄ ⲛⲙ̄ⲙⲁ.

“When I conclude my life—since it is you who knows the whole arrangement of my life along with God—don't have me stripped of my robe, but let me be buried with it.”

ⲛⲁⲓ ⲇⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲣⲉϫⲟⲟ, ϯ-ⲡⲉⲡⲛⲉⲩⲙⲁ.

When she said these things, she gave her last breath.

ⲛⲉϥⲁϩⲉ ⲇⲉ ⲉⲣⲁⲧϥ̄ ϩⲓϫⲱ ⲛ̄ϭⲓⲡⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ ⲁⲡⲁ ⲡⲁⲙⲃⲱ, ϥⲧⲣⲉⲉⲓⲣⲉ ⲛ̄ϩⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧϫⲟⲟ.

The saint Apa Pambo was standing over her, and he had them do as she said.

ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲣⲟⲩⲧⲟⲙⲥⲥ̄ ⲇⲉ, ϥⲕⲟⲧϥ̄ ϥϩⲙⲟⲟⲥ ϥϣⲁϫⲉ ⲙⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲥⲛⲏⲩ, ϥϫⲱ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟ, ϫⲉ

When she was buried, he sat back down and spoke with the brothers, saying:

ⲁⲗⲏⲑⲱⲥ ⲥⲕⲉⲩⲟⲥ ⲛ̄ϭⲱⲃ ϯ-ϣⲓⲡⲉ ⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲙⲏⲏϣⲉ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟⲛⲁⲭⲟⲥ ⲟⲩⲏϩ ϩⲛ̄ϣⲓⲏⲧ ⲙ̄ⲡⲟⲟⲩ! ⲛ̄ⲧⲁ-ⲛⲓⲙ ϫⲡⲟ ⲛⲁϥ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲓϩⲩⲡⲟⲙⲟⲛⲏ ϩⲱⲥⲧⲉ ⲧⲣⲉϭⲱ ϩⲛ̄ⲙⲏⲧⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲓⲁϣⲏ ⲛ̄ϩⲟⲟⲩⲧ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲓϩⲉ? ⲛ̄ⲧⲁ-ⲛⲓⲙ ϣⲱⲱⲧ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲛ̄ⲙⲟⲧⲛⲉⲥ ⲛ̄ⲥⲁⲣⲝ ⲛ̄ϩⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧⲁⲓ? ⲉⲓⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧⲁ-ⲛⲓⲙ ⲁⲡⲟⲧⲁⲥⲥⲉ ⲙ̄ⲉⲟⲟⲩ ⲉⲧϣⲟⲩⲉⲓⲧ ⲙ̄ⲡⲓⲕⲟⲥⲙⲟⲥ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲓϩⲉ ⲛ̄ϩⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧⲁⲓ?

“Truly a weak vessel has put to shame a host of monks living in Scetis today! Who has developed such patience, that she stayed among this amount of men, like she has? Who has lacked comfort of the flesh like she has? Indeed, who has given up the world's empty glory like this, like she has done?”

ⲛⲉⲥⲛⲏⲩ ⲇⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲣⲟⲩⲥⲱⲧⲙ ⲡⲉⲥⲃⲓⲟⲥ, ⲣ̄-ϣⲡⲏⲣⲉ, ⲁⲩⲱ ϯ-ⲉⲟⲟⲩ ⲙ̄ⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ, ⲉ-ⲛⲉ-ⲣ̄-ϫⲟⲩⲧⲟⲩⲉⲓ ⲛ̄ⲣⲟⲙⲡⲉ ⲟⲩⲏϩ ϩⲛ̄ⲙⲏⲧⲉ ⲛ̄ϯⲟⲩ ⲛ̄ϣⲉ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟⲛⲁⲭⲟⲥ, ⲁⲩⲱ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉ-ⲗⲁⲁⲩ ⲥⲟⲩⲱⲛⲥ̄ ϫⲉ ⲟⲩⲥϩⲓⲙⲉ ⲧⲉ ⲉⲓⲙⲏⲧⲓ ⲡⲉⲡⲣⲉⲥⲃⲩⲧⲉⲣⲟⲥ ⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ ⲁⲡⲁ ⲡⲁⲙⲃⲱ.

When the brothers heard about her life, they were amazed, and glorified God, as she had spent twenty-one years living among 500 monks, with no one knowing she was a woman except the holy elder Apa Pambo.

ⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲇⲉ ϥⲭⲁⲣⲓⲍⲉ ⲛⲁ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲓⲕⲉϩⲙⲟⲧ: ⲧⲣⲉϫⲱⲕ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲥⲃⲓⲟⲥ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉϩⲟⲟⲩ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲑⲉⲱⲇⲟⲕⲟⲥ ⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ, ⲉⲧⲉⲥⲟⲩϫⲟⲩⲧⲟⲩⲉ ⲡⲉ ⲙ̄ⲉⲃⲟⲧ ⲧⲱⲃⲉ.

God granted her this favor too: that she conclude her life on the day of the holy Theodokos Maria, namely the twenty-first of the month of Tobe.

Monks inform emperor of Hilaria's passing

ⲥϩⲁⲓ ⲇⲉ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲥⲉⲓⲱⲧ ⲉⲧⲃⲉⲡⲉⲥϫⲱⲕ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ. ϥⲗⲩⲡⲉⲓ ⲙⲉⲛ, ϩⲱⲥ ⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲛ̄ⲃⲓⲱⲧⲓⲕⲟⲥ.

They wrote to her father about her passing. He grieved, as does any mortal person.

ⲙⲛ̄ⲛ̄ⲥⲱ ϥⲥⲉⲗⲥⲉⲗ-ⲧⲉⲥⲙⲁⲁⲩ, ϥϫⲱ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟ, ϫⲉ

Afterwards he consoled her mother, saying:

ⲉϣϫⲉ ⲥⲉⲛⲁⲙⲁⲕⲁⲣⲓⲍⲉ ⲙ̄ⲉⲧⲉⲩⲛ̄ⲧϥ̄-ⲟⲩⲥⲡⲉⲣⲙⲁ ϩⲛ̄ⲥⲓⲱⲛ ⲁⲩⲱ ϩⲉⲛⲣⲙⲛⲏⲓ ϩⲛ̄ⲧϩⲓⲉⲣⲟⲩⲥⲁⲗⲏⲙ ⲛ̄ⲡⲉ, ⲉⲓⲉ ⲛⲁⲓⲁⲧⲛ̄ ϩⲱⲱ, ϫⲉ ⲟⲩⲛ̄ⲧⲁ ⲙ̄ⲙⲁⲩ ⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲥⲡⲉⲣⲙⲁ ϩⲛ̄ⲧϩⲓⲉⲣⲟⲩⲥⲁⲗⲏⲙ ⲛ̄ⲡⲉ. ⲁⲣⲏⲩ ⲣⲱ ⲥⲉⲛⲁϣϭⲙϭⲟⲙ ⲧⲱⲃϩ ⲉϫⲱ ⲛⲁϩⲣⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲭ︤ⲥ︥ ⲧⲣⲉϥⲕⲱ ⲛⲁ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲛⲛⲟⲃⲉ ⲙⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲛⲡⲁⲣⲁⲡⲧⲱⲙⲁ.

“If those who have seeds in Zion, and relatives in heavenly Jerusalem, are blessed, then we too are blessed, since we have a seed in heavenly Jerusalem. Perhaps they'll even be able to appeal to Christ for us, and have him forgive our sins and our transgressions.”

Afterword

ⲡⲉⲡⲣⲉⲥⲃⲩⲧⲉⲣⲟⲥ ⲇⲉ ⲁⲡⲁ ⲡⲁⲙⲃⲱ ϥⲥϩⲁⲓ ⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲓϣⲁϫⲉ ϥⲕⲁⲁ ϩⲛ̄ⲉⲕⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ ⲛ̄ϣⲓⲏⲧ, ϩⲏⲩ ⲙⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲥⲟⲗⲥⲗ ⲛ̄ⲉⲧⲥⲱⲧⲙ ⲉⲣⲟⲟⲩ, ⲉⲟⲟⲩ ⲙ̄ⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲉⲓⲱⲧ, ⲙⲛ̄ⲡⲉϥⲙⲉⲣⲓⲧ ⲛ̄ϣⲏⲣⲉ ⲓ︤ⲥ︥ ⲡⲉⲭ︤ⲥ︥ ⲡⲉⲛϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ, ⲙⲛ̄ⲡⲉⲡⲛⲉⲩⲙⲁ ⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ, ϣⲁⲉⲛⲉϩ ⲛ̄ⲉⲛⲉϩ. ϩⲁⲙⲏⲛ.

The elder Apa Pambo wrote these words and placed them in the church of Scetis, for the benefit and consolation of those who hear them, for the glory of God the Father, and his beloved son Jesus Christ our Lord, and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.