Letter 127

From: Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrrhus To: Jobius, Presbyter and Archimandrite [head of a monastery] Date: ~449 AD Context: A warm letter to an elderly monastic leader, praising his courage and lamenting that imperial restrictions prevent them from meeting. To Jobius, Presbyter and Archimandrite, The patriarch Abraham won his victory in old age. The great Moses was already an old man when, so long as he stretched out his hands in prayer, he defeated Amalek [Exodus 17:11-12]. The divine Samuel was old when he routed the enemy [1 Samuel 7:10-11]. Your venerable old age follows in their footsteps. In our wars for true religion you are playing the hero, championing the Gospel doctrines and putting younger men to shame by the vigor of your spirit. I rejoice to hear it and long to embrace your honored gray head. But I cannot: your years keep you at home, and the imperial decree keeps me confined here. So I cheat my longing with this letter and send you this most affectionate embrace. I ask you in your prayers to help the churches now engulfed by the storm, and to win divine support for me -- assailed as I am for the sake of the Gospel and in desperate need of help from above.

Letter 127 Please help support the mission of New Advent and get the full contents of this website as an instant download. Includes the Catholic Encyclopedia, Church Fathers, Summa, Bible and more — all for only $19.99... To Jobius, Presbyter and Archimandrite. The patriarch Abraham won a victory in his old age. The great Moses was now an old man when, so long as he stretched out his hands in prayer, he vanquished Amalek. The divine Samuel was an old man when he put the aliens to flight. These are emulated by your venerable old age. In our wars for true religion's sake you are playing the man, and championing the cause of the gospel doctrines, and putting young men in the shade by the vigour of your spirit. I rejoice to hear it, and am glad, and long to embrace your right venerable gray hairs. This I cannot do, for your reverence is kept at home by your years, and I am kept in durance here by the imperial decree. But I cheat my love by this letter, and give your piety this most loving embrace. I call upon you in your prayers to help the churches now whelmed in the storm, and to win for me the divine support, assailed as I am for the sake of the doctrines of the gospel, and standing sorely in need of help from above.