# Chapter XXII explained — Barlaam and Ioasaph

> Chapter companion for Barlaam and Ioasaph by Anonymous.

## What happens

After Barlaam departs, Ioasaph devotes himself to prayer and ascetic discipline, seeking purity of soul and body. Zardan, observing Ioasaph's conversion, feigns illness and reveals to King Abenner that Barlaam has converted the prince. The king, enraged, orders a search for Barlaam. His counselor Araches proposes a plan to capture Barlaam or use a look-alike named Nachor to discredit Christianity. The king pursues Barlaam but fails to find him. Araches captures a group of monks, who bravely refuse to betray Barlaam, enduring torture and humiliation.

## Themes in this chapter

### Persecution and Martyrdom

The king's pursuit of Barlaam and the torture of monks who refuse to betray their brother exemplify persecution for faith.

### Spiritual Warfare

Ioasaph's prayer for strength against the flesh and the devil, and the monks' resistance to torture, highlight the spiritual battle.

### Divine Providence and Free Will

Ioasaph's prayer invokes divine help, while the king's schemes and the monks' choices reflect the interplay of providence and human will.

## Character check-ins

### Ioasaph

Devotes himself to prayer, tears, and asceticism after Barlaam's departure.

### Zardan

Observes Ioasaph's conversion, feigns illness, and reveals the truth to King Abenner.

### Abenner

Filled with anger and dismay upon learning of Ioasaph's conversion; orders the capture of Barlaam.

### Araches

King's counselor who devises a plan to capture Barlaam or use Nachor as a substitute.

### Barlaam

Sought by the king; evades capture as he has already departed.

### Nachor

Eremite proposed by Araches to impersonate Barlaam and discredit Christianity.

## Key lines

> O God, haste thee to help me: O Lord, make speed to help me, because the poor hath committed himself unto thee; thou art the helper of the orphan.

Ioasaph prays urgently for God's assistance, acknowledging his own weakness and God's role as protector of the helpless.

_This prayer sets the tone for Ioasaph's deepened spiritual commitment._

> I have been unable to discover any root of disease in the man: wherefore I suppose that this weakness is to be ascribed to distress of spirit.

The physician reports that Zardan's illness is not physical but stems from emotional or spiritual distress.

_This leads the king to investigate Zardan's true concerns._

> We shall neither reveal the dwelling-place of our brother, whom God loveth, although we know it, nor shall we betray any other monasteries unbeknown to ye. We will not endure to escape death by such cowardice.

The captured monks refuse to disclose Barlaam's location or any other monasteries, preferring death over betrayal.

_Demonstrates the monks' steadfast faith and courage under persecution._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/barlaam_and_ioasaph_se/chapters/xxii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/barlaam_and_ioasaph_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/barlaam_and_ioasaph_se/chapters