Letter CCCLXXX. To the Same

(A.D. 1149.)

On the unhappy state of the Church in the East.¹

To his very dear father and lord SUGER, by the grace of God Abbot of S. Denys, BERNARD, Abbot of Clairvaux, health and the assurance of his humble prayers.

The news which the Grand Master of the Temple and Brother John have brought I have received as joyfully as if² I thought it came from God Himself. For the Church in the East utters such cries of distress now that whosoever does not sympathize with his whole heart is shown not to be a son of the Church. But though rejoiced at the news, I am distressed at the short notice you give me, which renders me unable to come to you at the time you named. I had promised the Bishop of Langres to meet him on that day for a conference on grave and important matters, which he had accepted in reliance upon me. I have, however, mentioned a time when, if convenient to you, I will gladly come to you with the same Bishop, who will be perhaps of great service in the conference which we are to hold.

Footnotes

1. Formerly No. 362; the former No. 380 is now No. 360. KM) OK VOL. II. ↩

2. Formerly No. 361; the former No. 379 is now No. 353. Among the Letters of Suger it is No. 93. ↩