Letter 3007: As is your custom, you have heaped upon my longings the welcome tokens of your devotion.

Avitus of VienneClaudius in Spain|c. 498 AD|Avitus of Vienne
friendship
From: Avitus, bishop of Vienne
To: Claudius, bishop
Date: ~498 AD
Context: A brief Christmas greeting expressing joy at receiving news of Claudius's well-being.

Bishop Avitus to Bishop Claudius.

As is your custom, you have heaped upon my longings the welcome tokens of your devotion. Receiving your greeting, the joy of the Lord's nativity is doubled for us by the news of your good health. For this kindness, which Your Beatitude multiplies through your constant attention to us, may God in his mercy grant you many more years of life to come.

Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.

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