Thou sayest, O Questioner: ‘Our most serene Hossoudar and most prosperous Tsar committed to Nicon the supervision of all ecclesiastical causes and judgments—that is, he made a grant to him of all the privileges which Constantine the Great, out of his great respect for the Roman Pope Sylvester, had given to that Pope. In like manner to Nicon also our sovereign the Tsar granted in writing many privileges;’ &c.

Thy question, O Questioner, is full of satanical fear and pride. However, the broaching of this subject is not from me ; but it is thine own fault; since thou by thy question hast forced us to this answer. Thou sayest: ‘Our most serene Hossoudar and most prosperous Tsar,’ &c. As to the complete prosperity of the Tsar there is no need for us to answer. All the people know how far the Tsar is prosperous, or the contrary: at least, each man knows what advantage he has himself received from the Tsar's prosperity. But for what thou sayest, that he committed to us the supervision of all ecclesiastical judgments, this is simply a foul blasphemy, and one that exceeds the pride of Lucifer. For he said: ‘I will set my throne in the heaven, and I will be like unto the Most High.’ But here he thinks to have power even over God. Thou sayest that ‘our most serene Hossoudar and most prosperous Tsar committed to Nicon the supervision of all ecclesiastical judgments.’