Theodoret of Cyrrhus→learned Maximus|c. 440 AD|theodoret cyrrhus
imperial politics
From: Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrrhus
To: Maranas, a learned layman
Date: ~449 AD
Context: A brief, reflective letter from exile. Theodoret expresses calm acceptance of his own removal while warning that divine judgment awaits those who continue their lawlessness.
To the Learned Maranas,
I too grieve at the calamities of the Church and weep over the storm that rages. But for myself, I am glad to be free of the turmoil and to enjoy a calm I find deeply welcome.
As for the men your learning tells me are still carrying on their crimes -- the day is not far off when they will pay the price for their present recklessness. All things are governed by the Lord of all with measure and justice. Whenever anyone sinks into unchecked wickedness, His patience reaches its limit, and He acts as Judge and appoints their punishment. Seeing this coming, I pray they will stop their lawlessness, so I am not compelled to weep again when I see them punished.
Your excellency I can never forget, and I beg our common Master to fill your house with blessings.
Letter 124
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To the Learned Maranas.
I too am distressed at the calamities of the Church, and wail over the storm that is raging; for myself I am glad to be quit of agitation, and to be enjoying a calm which is delightful to me. As to the men whom your learning states to be still carrying on their iniquities, the day is not far distant when they will pay the penalty of their present rash lawlessness. All things are governed by the Lord of all with weight and rule, and whenever any fall away into unbounded iniquity His long suffering comes to an end, and He then acts as Judge and appoints punishment. Foreseeing this I pray that they may cease from their license that I may not be compelled to weep once more for them as I behold them undergoing chastisement.
Your excellency I can never forget, and I beg our common Master to fill your house with blessing.
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From:Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrrhus
To:Maranas, a learned layman
Date:~449 AD
Context:A brief, reflective letter from exile. Theodoret expresses calm acceptance of his own removal while warning that divine judgment awaits those who continue their lawlessness.
To the Learned Maranas,
I too grieve at the calamities of the Church and weep over the storm that rages. But for myself, I am glad to be free of the turmoil and to enjoy a calm I find deeply welcome.
As for the men your learning tells me are still carrying on their crimes -- the day is not far off when they will pay the price for their present recklessness. All things are governed by the Lord of all with measure and justice. Whenever anyone sinks into unchecked wickedness, His patience reaches its limit, and He acts as Judge and appoints their punishment. Seeing this coming, I pray they will stop their lawlessness, so I am not compelled to weep again when I see them punished.
Your excellency I can never forget, and I beg our common Master to fill your house with blessings.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.