Theodoret of Cyrrhus→Florentius|c. 440 AD|theodoret cyrrhus
famine plaguemonasticism
From: Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrrhus
To: Florentius, Bishop [a Western bishop, likely in Italy]
Date: ~449 AD
Context: Theodoret appeals to Florentius for help restoring peace to the Eastern churches after the "Robber Synod" of Ephesus.
To Bishop Florentius,
Truly the grace of our God and Savior has not yet abandoned the human race. He has left us a "seed" in your holiness, lest we become like Sodom and Gomorrah [Isaiah 1:9]. This seed keeps us from losing heart entirely and gives us reason to wait for the passing of this terrible storm.
We have therefore sent to your holiness the godly presbyters Hypatius and Abramius, chorepiscopi, and Alypius, head of our monks, so that you may help end the disaster that has struck the churches of the East. First, confirm the faith handed down to us from the beginning by the holy apostles; condemn the heresy that has emerged; and publicly convict the men who dare to debase the preaching of the divine plan of salvation [the "Economy" -- the incarnation of Christ]. Second, champion those of us who are under attack for the truth's sake.
It is for the apostolic faith, most holy brother, that we have endured this unjust massacre -- because we refused to abandon the truth of the Gospel. It is now your duty not to overlook the unjust persecution of men who share your beliefs. Use your righteous influence to put a stop to this injustice, and teach those who act lawlessly at their own pleasure that they cannot be allowed to carry out their designs unchecked.
Letter 117
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To the Bishop Florentius.
Truly the grace of our God and Saviour has not yet abandoned the human race, but has left us a seed in your holiness lest we should become as Sodom, and be made like Gomorrha. This seed suffers us not altogether to faint, but charges us to wait for the passing away of the dire storm; this renders us hopeful.
We have therefore sent to your holiness the very godly presbyters Hypatius and Abramius, chorepiscopi, and Alypius, exarch of our monks, that you may put an end to the disaster which has befallen the churches of the East; that in the first place you may confirm the faith handed down to us from the first by the holy Apostles, may proscribe the heresy that has started up, and openly convict the men who have the hardihood to debase the preaching of the Œconomy; and secondly may fight as champion of them who are being attacked for the truth's sake. For it is in the cause of the apostolic Faith, most holy, that we have undergone that unrighteous massacre, because we refused to abandon the truth of the Gospel doctrines. Now it behooves your holiness not to overlook the unjust persecution of men of like mind with yourself, but by your just help to put a stop to injustice, and teach the assailants of the truth that men who strive to act unscrupulously at their own good pleasure cannot be allowed to work out their ends.
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From:Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrrhus
To:Florentius, Bishop [a Western bishop, likely in Italy]
Date:~449 AD
Context:Theodoret appeals to Florentius for help restoring peace to the Eastern churches after the "Robber Synod" of Ephesus.
To Bishop Florentius,
Truly the grace of our God and Savior has not yet abandoned the human race. He has left us a "seed" in your holiness, lest we become like Sodom and Gomorrah [Isaiah 1:9]. This seed keeps us from losing heart entirely and gives us reason to wait for the passing of this terrible storm.
We have therefore sent to your holiness the godly presbyters Hypatius and Abramius, chorepiscopi, and Alypius, head of our monks, so that you may help end the disaster that has struck the churches of the East. First, confirm the faith handed down to us from the beginning by the holy apostles; condemn the heresy that has emerged; and publicly convict the men who dare to debase the preaching of the divine plan of salvation [the "Economy" -- the incarnation of Christ]. Second, champion those of us who are under attack for the truth's sake.
It is for the apostolic faith, most holy brother, that we have endured this unjust massacre -- because we refused to abandon the truth of the Gospel. It is now your duty not to overlook the unjust persecution of men who share your beliefs. Use your righteous influence to put a stop to this injustice, and teach those who act lawlessly at their own pleasure that they cannot be allowed to carry out their designs unchecked.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.