Through the diligence and care of our God-loving brother Xael, son of the blessed Stephanos, the lion-rusher upon the man of the plains, from the heart of the city of Esna, this book was produced through his labor. He presented it to the monastery of Saint Macarius on the mountain of the city of Tbow for the salvation of his soul, so that the names of Saint John and the holy Apa Pachomius might be read in it, and so that Saint Macarius, the soldier and courageous martyr, Saint John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, and the holy Apa Pachomius, the archimandrite, might intercede with Christ for him: that Christ might bless him in this world, preserve him from every snare of the Devil and wicked people, assist him in every good thing, and, after the circumstances of this life, make him worthy of forgiveness of his sins and of receiving the inheritance of all the saints. May it be so. Amen.
Remember also me, Theopistis the deacon, son of Severus, archpriest of Saint Macarius of the city of Esna. I wrote this work with my own hand. Pray for me, that God may forgive the multitude of my sins, for they cry out exceedingly.
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