Theodoret of Cyrrhus→Flavianus of Constantinople|c. 440 AD|theodoret cyrrhus
grief death
To Flavianus, Bishop of Constantinople.
The Creator and Governor of all the universe has made you a light to the world, and changed deep, moonless night into the brightness of noon. Just as the beacon fire beside the harbor mouth shows sailors in the darkness where the safe anchorage lies, so the bright ray of Your Holiness shines out to comfort all who are under attack for the sake of true religion, and shows them the safe haven of the apostolic faith. Those who already knew it are filled with courage; those who did not are saved from the rocks.
I am especially bound to praise the giver of all good things, because I have found in you a noble champion who drives out the fear of men by the power of the fear of God — who fights wholeheartedly in the front rank for the teachings of the Gospel, and who bears the weight of the apostolic struggle gladly. Today every tongue speaks your praises, my lord, for it is not only the children of true religion who admire the purity of your faith — even your enemies sing the courage of your witness. Falsehood vanishes in the lightning flash of truth.
I write this knowing that the very reverend and devout Hypatius the reader both obeys your every command and speaks constantly of your praiseworthy deeds. I salute you, holy one, beloved of God. Support us with your prayers, I beg you, that we may spend the rest of our lives according to God's laws.
Letter 11
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To Flavianus Bishop of Constantinople.
The Creator and Guide of the Universe has made you a luminary of the world, and changed the deep moonless night into clear noon. Just as by the haven's side, the beacon light shows sailors in the night time the harbour mouth, so shines the bright ray of your holiness to give great comfort to all that are attacked for true religion's sake, and shows them the safe port of the Apostles' faith. They that know it already are filled with comfort, and they that knew it not are saved from being dashed upon the rocks. I indeed am especially bound to praise the giver of all good, because I have found a noble champion who drives away fear of men by the power of the fear of God, fights heartily in the front rank for the doctrines of the Gospel, and gladly bears the brunt of the apostolic war. So today every tongue is moved in eulogy of your holiness, for it is not only the nurslings of true religion who admire the purity of your faith, but the praises of your courage are sung even by the enemies of the truth. Falsehood vanishes at truth's lightning flash.
I write thus knowing that the very reverend and pious Hypatius the reader, both readily obeys the bidding of your holiness, and constantly, my Lord, mentions your laudable deeds. I salute you as holy and right dear to God. I exhort you to support us with your prayers that we may lead the rest of our lives according to God's laws.
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To Flavianus, Bishop of Constantinople.
The Creator and Governor of all the universe has made you a light to the world, and changed deep, moonless night into the brightness of noon. Just as the beacon fire beside the harbor mouth shows sailors in the darkness where the safe anchorage lies, so the bright ray of Your Holiness shines out to comfort all who are under attack for the sake of true religion, and shows them the safe haven of the apostolic faith. Those who already knew it are filled with courage; those who did not are saved from the rocks.
I am especially bound to praise the giver of all good things, because I have found in you a noble champion who drives out the fear of men by the power of the fear of God — who fights wholeheartedly in the front rank for the teachings of the Gospel, and who bears the weight of the apostolic struggle gladly. Today every tongue speaks your praises, my lord, for it is not only the children of true religion who admire the purity of your faith — even your enemies sing the courage of your witness. Falsehood vanishes in the lightning flash of truth.
I write this knowing that the very reverend and devout Hypatius the reader both obeys your every command and speaks constantly of your praiseworthy deeds. I salute you, holy one, beloved of God. Support us with your prayers, I beg you, that we may spend the rest of our lives according to God's laws.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.