Letter 68
To Theophilus.
The man carrying this letter has been sent on a piece of business that piety does not allow me to describe. But that he has cultivated virtue from his youth — this I can say truthfully. Honor him as a good man. As for the accusation he has made, let it follow its own course. Surely you would never interfere with a justifiable homicide.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.
Related Letters
Jerome congratulates Theophilus on the success of his crusade against Origenism, and speaks of the good work done in Palestine by his emissaries Priscus and Eubulus. He then (by a singular change in his sentiments) asks Theophilus to forgive John of Jerusalem for having unwittingly received an excommunicated Egyptian. The date of the Letter is 4...
The synodical letter of the council of Jerusalem sent to Theophilus in reply to the preceding. The translation as before is due to Jerome. The following is an epitome: We have done all that you wished, and Palestine is almost wholly free from the taint of heresy.