Chapter II explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Persecution and Martyrdom

  King Abenner intensifies persecution of Christians, and the monk longs for martyrdom but is instead banished.

• Idolatry vs. True Worship

  The king offers sacrifices to idols, while the monk defends the worship of the true God.

• Renunciation of Worldly Wealth

  The satrap abandons his high position and riches to become a monk, embracing poverty and asceticism.

Characters to notice

• Abenner

  King Abenner persecutes Christians, worships idols, and celebrates the birth of his son Ioasaph with pagan sacrifices.

• Ioasaph

  Ioasaph is born to King Abenner, described as a beautiful child whose birth is celebrated with pagan rites.

• Barlaam

  Barlaam is the unnamed satrap who becomes a monk, is brought before the king, defends his faith, and is banished to the desert.

• Paul

  Blessed Paul is referenced in the text regarding spiritual warfare.

Key passages

• “the desert, grieved to have lost the crown of martyrdom, but daily a martyr in his conscience, and 'wrestling against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness'; as saith Blessed Paul.”

  The monk returned to the desert, saddened that he did not achieve martyrdom, yet he remained a martyr in spirit, fighting against evil forces as described by Saint Paul.

  Describes the monk's internal spiritual struggle after being banished.

• “If it be thy pleasure, O king, to converse with me, remove thine enemies out of mid court; which done, I will answer thee concerning whatsoever thou mayest desire to learn; for while these are here, I cannot speak with thee.”

  The monk asks the king to banish his own anger and desire before he will speak freely.

  The monk identifies anger and desire as enemies that hinder truthful conversation.