Letter 171: Leo, the bishop, to Timothy, Catholic bishop of the church of Alexandria. I. He congratulates him on his election, and bids him win back wanderers to the fold.

Leo, the bishop, to Timothy [Timothy Salophaciolus, the orthodox Patriarch of Alexandria, appointed 460], Catholic bishop of the church of Alexandria. I. He congratulates him on his election and urges him to win back those who have strayed. The truth of the Apostle's words shines clearly: "All things work together for good for those who love God" (Romans 8:28). By the merciful ordering of God's providence, where adversity has been endured, prosperity is also given. The experience of the Alexandrian church demonstrates this: the patience and long-suffering of the humble have stored up great rewards in return for their endurance. For "the Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." Our noble Emperor's faith is being glorified in all things, through whom "the right hand of the Lord has done mighty deeds" — by preventing the abomination of antichrist [Timothy Aelurus, the Eutychian anti-patriarch who had seized the see of Alexandria by violence and murder] from any longer occupying the throne of the blessed Fathers. His blasphemy has harmed no one more than himself, because although he induced some to become partners in his guilt, he has stained himself irreparably with blood. Regarding what has been accomplished under the guidance of the Faith through your election, brother — by the clergy, the laity, and all the faithful — I assure you that the whole of the Lord's Church rejoices with me. It is my strong desire that God's mercy will in His loving-kindness confirm this joy with many signs of grace, with your own devotion serving this end in all things. May you diligently win over, through the Church's prayers, even those who have until now resisted the Truth, reconciling them to God. As a zealous pastor, bring them into union with the mystical body of the Catholic Faith, whose wholeness allows no division — imitating that true and gentle Shepherd who laid down His life for His sheep and, when one sheep wandered, did not drive it back with a whip but carried it home on His own shoulders. II. Let him be watchful against heresy and send frequent reports to Rome. Take care, then, dearly beloved brother, that no trace of either Nestorius' or Eutyches' error be found among God's people. For "no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Christ Jesus" (1 Corinthians 3:11) — who would not have reconciled the whole world to God the Father had He not, through the regeneration of faith, adopted us all in the reality of our flesh. Therefore, brother, whenever opportunities arise for writing — just as you properly and in keeping with custom have already done by sending a report of your ordination to us through our sons Daniel the presbyter and Timothy the deacon — continue to do so at all times. Send us, who will be anxious for news, as frequent reports as possible on the progress of peace, so that through regular correspondence "we may feel that the love of God is poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us" (Romans 5:5). Dated August 18, in the consulship of Magnus and Apollonius (460).

Leo, the bishop, to Timothy, Catholic bishop of the church of Alexandria. I. He congratulates him on his election, and bids him win back wanderers to the fold. It is clearly apparent from the brightness of the sentiment quoted by the Apostle, that all things work together for good to them that love God Romans 8:28, and by the dispensation of God's pity, where adversities are received, there also prosperity is given. This the experience of the Alexandrine church shows, in which the moderation and long suffering of the humble has laid up for themselves great store in return for their patience: because the Lord is near them that are of a contrite heart, and shall save those that are humble in spirit , our noble Prince's faith being glorified in all things, through whom the right-hand of the Lord has done great acts , in preventing the abomination of antichrist any longer occupying the throne of the blessed Fathers; whose blasphemy has hurt no one more than himself, because although he has induced some to be partners of his guilt, yet he has inexpiably stained himself with blood. And hence concerning that which under the direction of Faith your election, brother, by the clergy, and the laity, and all the faithful, has brought about, I assure you that the whole of the Lord's Church rejoices with me, and it is my strong desire that the Divine pity will in its loving-kindness confirm this joy with manifold signs of grace, your own devotion ministering thereto in all things, so that you may sedulously win over, through the Church's prayers, those also who have hitherto resisted the Truth, to reconciliation with God, and, as a zealous ruler, bring them into union with the mystic body of the Catholic Faith, whose entirety admits of no division, imitating that true and gentle Shepherd, who laid down His life for His sheep, and, when one sheep wandered, drove it not back with the lash, but carried it back to the fold on His own shoulders. II. Let him be watchful against heresy and send frequent reports to Rome. Take heed, then, dearly beloved brother, lest any trace of either Nestorius' or Eutyches' error be found in God's people: because no one can lay any foundation except that which is laid, which is Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 3:11; who would not have reconciled the whole world to God the Father, had He not by the regeneration of Faith adopted us all in the reality of our flesh. Whenever, therefore, opportunities arise which you can use for writing, brother, even as you necessarily and in accordance with custom have done in sending a report of your ordination to us by our sons, Daniel the presbyter and Timothy the deacon, so continue to act at all times and send us, who will be anxious for them, as frequent accounts as possible of the progress of peace, in order that by regular intercourse we may feel that the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Ghost, which is given unto us Romans 5:5 . Dated the 18th of August, in the consulship of Magnus and Apollonius (460). About this page Source. Translated by Charles Lett Feltoe. From Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, Vol. 12. Edited by Philip Schaff and Henry Wace. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1895.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight. <https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3604171.htm>. Contact information. The editor of New Advent is Kevin Knight. My email address is feedback732 at newadvent.org. (To help fight spam, this address might change occasionally.) Regrettably, I can't reply to every letter, but I greatly appreciate your feedback — especially notifications about typographical errors and inappropriate ads.