Theodoret of Cyrrhus→Irenæus|c. 440 AD|theodoret cyrrhus
friendshipgrief death
To Bishop Irenaeus.
Job — that famous fortress of unyielding resolve, that noble champion of goodness — was not shaken even by the weight of every kind of continuous trouble. He stood immovable. And at the end of all his trials, the righteous Lawgiver himself explained why they had been sent: "Do you think I answered you for any other reason than that you might appear just?" I believe your piety knows these words well — your piety that has been able to endure so many varied assaults of trouble and anxiety, and far from flinching under them, has made the firmness and steadiness of your rule all the more evident.
The generous Lord, seeing the courage and holiness of your soul, has refused to keep so worthy a champion hidden. He has brought you forward into the contest, to adorn your venerable head with a crown of victory and to set your struggles before others as a high example of faithful service.
Stand firm in this battle too, my dear friend. Bear bravely the death of your son-in-law, who was also dear to me — a man of noble and generous character whose memory no painter's brush or rhetorician's tongue could do justice. Push back the assault of grief with the thought of him who wisely governs all human affairs, who sees the future perfectly and guides it for our good. Let us share in the joy of one who has been delivered from the storms of this life. Let us give thanks that, carried on favorable winds, he has cast anchor in a windless harbor, and escaped the fearful shipwrecks of which this life is so full.
But need I say any of this to one who is himself a tested warrior of goodness? Am I trying to anoint for endurance one who is himself a trainer of other athletes?
Letter 12
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To the Bishop Irenæus.
Job, that famous tower of adamant and noble champion of goodness, was not shaken even by blows of continuous troubles of every sort and kind, but stood impregnable and firm. At the end however of all his trials the righteous Law-giver explained the reason of them in the words, Do you think that I answered you for any other reason than that you might appear just? I think that these words are known to your piety which is able to support the many and various attacks of troubles and anxieties, and so far from shrinking from them, exhibits the strength and stability of your administration. So the bountiful Lord, seeing the bravery and holiness of your soul, has refused to keep a worthy champion in concealment, and has brought him forth to the contest to adorn your venerable head with a crown of victory, and give your struggles as a high example of good service to the rest. So, my dear friend, conquer in this battle too, and bear bravely the death of your son-in-law, my own dear friend. Conquer in your wisdom the claims of kinsmanship and the memory of a noble and generous character, a memory which must always recall something beyond painter's art or rhetorician's skill. Repel the assault of sorrow by the thought of Him who wisely administers all the affairs of men, with perfect knowledge of the future and right guidance of it for our good. Let us join in the joy of him who has been delivered from this life's storms. Let us rather give thanks because, wafted by kindly winds, he has cast anchor in the windless haven and has escaped the grievous shipwrecks whereof this life is full. But need I say all this to one who is a tried gladiator of goodness? Need I, as it were, anoint for endurance one who is a trainer of other athletes? Still I write. It is a comfort to myself to write as I do. I am really and truly grieved when I remember an intimacy that I esteemed so highly. Once more I praise the great Guide of all, Who both knows what would be good for us and guides our life accordingly. I have dictated this after writing my former communication, on one of my friends in Antioch telling me that the end had come.
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To Bishop Irenaeus.
Job — that famous fortress of unyielding resolve, that noble champion of goodness — was not shaken even by the weight of every kind of continuous trouble. He stood immovable. And at the end of all his trials, the righteous Lawgiver himself explained why they had been sent: "Do you think I answered you for any other reason than that you might appear just?" I believe your piety knows these words well — your piety that has been able to endure so many varied assaults of trouble and anxiety, and far from flinching under them, has made the firmness and steadiness of your rule all the more evident.
The generous Lord, seeing the courage and holiness of your soul, has refused to keep so worthy a champion hidden. He has brought you forward into the contest, to adorn your venerable head with a crown of victory and to set your struggles before others as a high example of faithful service.
Stand firm in this battle too, my dear friend. Bear bravely the death of your son-in-law, who was also dear to me — a man of noble and generous character whose memory no painter's brush or rhetorician's tongue could do justice. Push back the assault of grief with the thought of him who wisely governs all human affairs, who sees the future perfectly and guides it for our good. Let us share in the joy of one who has been delivered from the storms of this life. Let us give thanks that, carried on favorable winds, he has cast anchor in a windless harbor, and escaped the fearful shipwrecks of which this life is so full.
But need I say any of this to one who is himself a tested warrior of goodness? Am I trying to anoint for endurance one who is himself a trainer of other athletes?
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.