Letter 128

From: Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrrhus To: Candidus, Presbyter and Archimandrite Date: ~449 AD Context: A brief appeal to an aging monastic leader, urging him to keep praying despite his weakness, using the image of Moses needing Aaron and Hur to hold up his arms. To Candidus, Presbyter and Archimandrite, I am afraid that the vigor of your godly spirit has been overcome by old age, and that you can no longer keep your hands stretched out as you once did. So Amalek is trying to prevail. May there be people to support your weakness, just as Aaron and Hur once held up the hands of the lawgiver [Exodus 17:12], so that you may overthrow Amalek and save Israel. These are days when we especially need more earnest prayer. Pagans, Jews, and every heresy enjoy peace -- it is the Church alone that is beaten by the storm, battered by the waves on every side. We especially need the help of your prayers, because those we counted as allies are fighting for our enemies.

Letter 128 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 Candidus, Presbyter and Archimandrite. I am afraid that the vigour of your godly soul has been overcome by old age, and that you do not keep your hands stretched out as usual. So Amalek is trying to win. May there be some to succour your weakness, as once of old Ur and Aaron supported the hands of the law-giver, that you may overthrow Amalek and save Israel. These are days when we specially need more earnest prayers, when Gentiles and Jews and every heresy are at peace, and the Church alone is beaten by the storm and surrounded by the boisterous billows. We indeed specially need the aid of your prayers, for those whom we reckoned to be fighting on our side are fighting on that of our foes.