Letter 101

From: Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrrhus To: Celarina, Deaconess Date: ~440 AD Context: Theodoret writes to a prominent deaconess about renewed accusations that he teaches "two sons" (dividing Christ's divine and human natures into separate persons), and asks her to support the bishops traveling to Constantinople to defend orthodoxy. To the Deaconess Celarina, The flames of the war against us have been lit again. After yielding for a time, the enemy of mankind has armed against us once more -- men nurtured on lies who openly slander me, claiming that I divide our one Lord Jesus Christ into two sons. I, however, know the distinction between Godhead and manhood, and I confess one Son: God the Word made man. I affirm that he is God eternal, who became man at the end of days -- not through any change in the Godhead, but through the assumption of human nature. There is no need to explain my views to your piety at length, for you have precise knowledge of what I preach and how I instruct the uninformed. But I beg you: since these fabricators of lies have poured their insults on all the godly bishops of the East at once and overwhelmed the churches with a storm, show all possible zeal on behalf of the gospel teaching and the peace of the churches. The most devout bishops have left the churches in their care, braved the harshness of winter, and endured the hardships of a long journey in order to calm the tempest. I am confident that your pious excellency will receive them as champions of the faith and guardians of the churches.

Letter 101 Please help support the mission of New Advent and get the full contents of this website as an instant download. Includes the Catholic Encyclopedia, Church Fathers, Summa, Bible and more — all for only $19.99... To the Deaconess Celarina. The flames of the war against us have been lit up again. After yielding awhile, the enemy of men has once more armed against us men nurtured in lies, who utter open slander against me, and say that I divide our one Lord Jesus Christ into two sons. I however know the distinction between Godhead and manhood, and confess one Son, God the Word made man. I assert that He is God eternal, who was made man at the end of days, not by the change of the Godhead, but by the assumption of the manhood. It is however needless for me to inform your piety of my sentiments, for you have exact knowledge of what I preach, and how I instruct the ignorant. I beseech you therefore since the workers of lies have poured their insults upon all the godly bishops of the East at once, and overwhelmed the churches with a storm, that your piety will show all possible zeal on behalf of the doctrines of the gospel and the peace of the churches. On this account the very godly bishops have left the churches shepherded by them, have disregarded the inclemency of winter, and endured the labours of their long journey, that they may calm the tempest which has arisen. I am sure that your godly excellency will regard them as champions of piety and governors of the churches.