Letter 108

Theodoret of CyrrhusAcacius Presbyter|c. 440 AD|theodoret cyrrhus
property economics
From: Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrrhus
To: Acacius, Presbyter
Date: ~440 AD
Context: Theodoret praises the presbyter Acacius for caring for orphaned communities and defending apostolic doctrine, invoking the parable of the talents.

To Acacius the Presbyter,

The promise of David's psalm is true indeed, for through him the Spirit of truth gave this assurance to believers: "Commit your way unto the Lord; trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your judgment as the noonday" [Psalm 37:5-6].

We find this fulfilled in your case. The great care you lavish on those weeping in their orphanhood, and your battles on behalf of the apostolic teachings, are on everyone's lips. As the prophets say, "Hidden things are made plain."

Since I too have heard of your admirable efforts, I write to greet you, most reverent sir, and to beg you to add to your glory by adding to your labors. Fight on behalf of the gospel doctrine, so that we may both keep the inheritance of our fathers intact and bring our Master his talent with good interest [cf. Matthew 25:14-30].

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

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