Letter 3006: The kindness you showed me when I was last in Limoges has stayed with me in the weeks since, and I wanted to...

From: Eufrasius (correspondent) To: Ruricius, Bishop of Limoges Date: ~490 AD Context: A layman thanks Ruricius for episcopal care and discusses church matters — showing the texture of Ruricius's pastoral correspondence. Eufrasius to the most holy Bishop Ruricius, in the peace of Christ. The kindness you showed me when I was last in Limoges has stayed with me in the weeks since, and I wanted to acknowledge it properly rather than let it pass into the ordinary background of life unremarked. You did not have to spend that time with me. I was not an important visitor; I brought no great business; I had nothing to offer you except gratitude and what I hope was at least interesting conversation. And yet you gave me the afternoon. I am not naive about episcopal hospitality — I know that receiving visitors is part of the office, and that some of what looks like generosity is simply duty. But I do not think that is what happened. On the church matters you raised: I have spoken with the people you mentioned, and the situation is more complicated than it looked from a distance. The dispute is not really about what it appears to be about on the surface; there is a history there that predates the current conflict and that will need to be understood before any resolution is possible. I will write more fully when I have learned more. Your servant in Christ, Eufrasius

VI. DOMNO SANCTO MERITIS BEATISSIMO PAPAE HONORIS CULTU SUSPICIENDO ATQVE APOSTOLICO PATRI DOMNO RURICIO EPISCOPO EUFRASIUS. Taediosam pietatem uestram esse tenui rumore cognoui, sed harum baiulum destinaui, ut anxietatem meam de acerbitate nuntii celeriter releuetis, quia scit diuina pietas, quod et tristitiam et infirmitatem uestram non conpatientis, sed perferentis dolore participo. sic ita concedat diuina miseratio, ut mihi per multos annos exterioris uestri uigorem et alacritatem integrae sanitatis indulgeat, quia uere tunc reparatum esse me sentio, si de sospitate uestra celerius optata cognouero.