Psellos told the krites of Opsikion about Elias Krystalas

Summary:
Psellos sailed from Trigleia (he told the krites of Opsikion) along the coast, with rowers (from Syke) and passengers amused by the monk Elias' critical catalogue of the capital's prostitutes. The sea was calm, though Psellos expected a storm like Jonah's. Elias claimed no direct contact with the prostitutes he listed. if true, Psellos said he was only half evil; if not, the whale should not swallow him, for it would never spit him out again. Another letter indicated that Elias had invented a distinct term between God and Mammon and between other dualities like heaven and hell, monastery and brothel, switching between the two extremes. After death he might be condemned to be hot on one side and cool on the other, as his days now belonged to God and nights to Satan  
Dates:
1067 (Uncertain) 
krites of Opsikion (Anonymus 2419)
  • He received a letter with an account of a boat-journey enlivened by a catalogue of the capital’s prostitutes delivered by Elias 2101 (:) Psellos Letters (K - D) 97, 125.10-126.16
  • He received a letter from Michael 61 about Elias 2101, indicating that he had invented a third term between God and Mammon (:) Psellos Letters (K - D) 98, 126.17-127.16
Elias Krystalas, monk (Elias 2101)
  • He amused people on a boat with a critical catalogue of the capital’s prostitutes; claiming no contact with them: if true, Michael 61 judged him only half evil, if not, Jonah’s whale should not swallow him, for it would never spit him out again (:) Psellos Letters (K - D) 97, 125.10-126.16
  • He had added a third term to the dualities God - Mammon, heaven - hell, monastery - brothel, switching between the others; after death he may be hot on one side and cool on the other, as days now belong to God and nights to Satan (:) Psellos Letters (K - D) 98, 126.17-127.16
Michael Psellos (named Konstantinos till tonsure in 1054) (Michael 61)
  • He sailed from Trigleia (he told Anonymus 2419) along the coast, with rowers (from Syke) and passengers amused by Elias 2101’s critical catalogue of the capital’s prostitutes; the sea was calm, though Psellos expected a storm like Jonah’s (:) Psellos Letters (K - D) 97, 125.10-126.12
  • Elias 2101 claimed no direct contact with the prostitutes he listed: if true, Michael 61 said he was only half evil, if not, the whale should not swallow him, for it would never spit him out again (:) Psellos Letters (K - D) 97, 126.12-16
  • He said that Elias 2101 added a third term to the dualities God - Mammon, heaven - hell, monastery - brothel, switching between the others; in death he may be hot on one side and cool on the other, as days now belong to God and nights to Satan (:) Psellos Letters (K - D) 98, 126.17-127.16