Ecclesiastical History

It is related that Isaac, who lived as a solitary at Constantinople, when he saw Valens marching out with his troops, cried aloud, “Where are you going, O emperor? To fight against God, instead of having Him as your ally? 'Tis God himself who has roused the barbarians against you, because you have stirred many tongues to blasphemy against Him and hast driven His worshippers from their sacred abodes. Cease then your campaigning and stop the war. Give back to the flocks their excellent shepherds and you shall win victory without trouble, but if you fight without so doing you shall learn by experience how hard it is to kick against the pricks. You shall never come back and shall destroy your army.” Then in a passion the emperor rejoined, “I shall come back; and I will kill you, and so exact punishment for your lying prophecy.” But Isaac undismayed by the threat exclaimed, “If what I say be proved false, kill me.”

Bretanio, a man distinguished by various virtues, and entrusted with the episcopal government of all the cities of Scythia, fired his soul with enthusiasm, and protested against the corruption of doctrines, and the emperor's lawless attacks upon the saints, crying in the words of the godly David, “I spoke of your testimonies also before Kings and was not ashamed.”