Letter 131

From: Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrrhus To: Longinus, Archimandrite of Doliche [head of a monastery in Doliche, near Cyrrhus] Date: ~449 AD Context: Theodoret thanks a monastic leader for his solidarity during his exile, praising both his doctrinal zeal and his personal kindness. To Longinus, Archimandrite of Doliche, You have demonstrated both your zeal for true religion and your love for your neighbor -- two things closely connected at the present time, since I am being attacked precisely because of the apostolic teachings. I refuse to give up the inheritance of my fathers, and I would rather endure any suffering than stand by while a single letter is stolen from the faith of the Gospel. You have joined in my sufferings -- not only by comforting me with your letter, but by sending the honorable and devout Matthew and Isaac. You will surely hear from the lips of the righteous Lord: "I was in prison, and you visited me" [Matthew 25:36]. I am small and of no account, weighed down by a great burden of sins, but the Lord is generous. He remembers the small rather than the great and says: "Inasmuch as you have done it to one of the least of these who believe in me, you have done it to me" [Matthew 25:40]. Since you are distinguished for sound doctrine and shine by the worthiness of your life, and therefore have great boldness before God, I beg you: help me with your prayers. Pray that I may be able to stand, as the Apostle says, "against the wiles of error" [Ephesians 6:11], escape the snares of the destroyer, and stand -- however little boldness I may have -- on the day when we appear before the righteous Judge.

Letter 131 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 Longinus, Archimandrite of Doliche. You have shown alike your zeal for the true religion, and your love for your neighbour, both of which are at the present time clearly connected, for it is for the sake of the apostolic decrees that I am being attacked, because I refuse to give up the heritage of my fathers, and prefer to undergo any suffering to looking lightly on the robbery of one tittle from the faith of the Gospel. You have accepted fellowship in my sufferings, not only by comforting me by means of your letter, but further by sending to me the very honourable and pious Matthew and Isaac. You shall hear, I am well assured, from the lips of the righteous Lord, I was in prison, and you visited me. We are small and of no account, and burdened by a great load of sins, but the Lord is bountiful and generous. He remembers the small rather than the great, and says, Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these which believe in me you have done it unto me. I pray you in that you are conspicuous for right doctrine, and shine by worthiness of life, and therefore have great boldness before God, help me in your prayers, that I may be able to stand, to use the words of the Apostle, against the wiles of error, escape the sins of the destroyer, and stand, though with little boldness, in the day of the appearing before the righteous Judge.