Letter 174

From: Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrrhus To: Himerius, Bishop of Nicomedia Date: ~433 AD Context: Theodoret advises Himerius that while Cyril's new letter is orthodox and communion with the Egyptians is now acceptable, he must not consent to the condemnation of Nestorius, and must recover his churches before entering communion. To Himerius, Bishop of Nicomedia, We wish to inform your holiness that after reading and frequently discussing the letter brought from Egypt [Cyril's conciliatory letter], we find it in harmony with the doctrine of the Church. Of the Twelve Chapters, on the other hand, we have proven the contrary, and we continue to oppose them to this day. We have therefore determined that if your holiness has recovered the churches divinely entrusted to you, you may communicate with the Egyptians and Constantinopolitans and the others who fought against us -- because they have professed to hold our faith, or rather I should say the faith of the apostles. But you must not give your consent to the alleged condemnation of the most holy and venerable Nestorius. We consider it impious and unjust, in a case where both parties stood as defendants, to lavish favor on one and slam the door of repentance on the other. Far more unjust and impious is it to condemn an innocent man to death. Your holiness should be assured: you must not communicate with them before you have recovered your churches. This is what not only I but all the holy bishops of our region decreed at our recent council.

Letter 174 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 Himerius, Bishop of Nicomedia. We wish to acquaint your holiness that on reading and frequently discussing the letter brought from Egypt we find it in harmony with the doctrine of the Church. Of the twelve Chapters we have proved the contrary, and up to the present time we continue to oppose them. We have therefore determined, if your holiness has recovered the churches divinely entrusted to you, that you ought to communicate with the Egyptians and Constantinopolitans and others who have fought with them against us, because they have professed to hold our faith, or I should rather say the faith of the apostles; but not to give your consent to the alleged condemnation of the very holy and venerable Nestorius. For we hold it impious and unjust in the case of charges in which both appeared as defendants to lavish favour on the one and shut the door of repentance on the other. Far more unjust and impious is it to condemn an innocent man to death. Your holiness should be assured that you ought not to communicate with them before you have recovered your churches. For this not only I but all the holy bishops of our district decreed in the recent Council.