Letter 181

From: Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrrhus To: Abundius, Bishop of Como [a Western bishop in northern Italy] Date: ~451 AD Context: One of Theodoret's last surviving letters, written to a Western bishop. He thanks the West for preserving the true faith, compares the Western bishops to Noah's family saved from the flood, and affirms his adherence to the Tome of Pope Leo. To Abundius, Bishop of Como, My dear lord and very holy brother, Theodoret sends greetings in the Lord. I have learned that your piety faithfully preserves the true and apostolic faith, and I have thanked Almighty God that the truth which was in danger has been renewed and brought to light by your holiness. Long ago, after the flood, Noah and his sons were left as seed for the human race. Just so in our own day, the Fathers of the West have been preserved, so that through them the holy churches of the East may recover the true religion that has been threatened with devastation and destruction by a new and impious heresy. We may well quote the words of the prophet: "Unless the Lord of hosts had left us a very small remnant, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been made like Gomorrah" [Isaiah 1:9]. For upon us, from this impious heresy, the wrath of God has fallen like a flood. We acknowledge the presence of our Savior in a human body, and one Son of God -- His Godhead perfect and His manhood perfect. We do not divide our one Lord Jesus Christ into two sons, for He is one. But we recognize the distinction between God and man. We know that one nature is from the Father, the other from the seed of David and Abraham, according to the divine Scriptures. The divine nature is free from suffering; the body, which was formerly subject to suffering, is now itself free from suffering as well -- for after the resurrection it is clearly delivered from all passion. This is what we have learned from the letter of the most holy and religious archbishop, our lord Leo [the Tome of Leo]. We have read what he wrote to Flavian of holy and blessed memory, and we have thanked the loving-kindness of the Lord for giving us an advocate and defender of the truth. I have given my full assent to this letter and have appended a copy to this present epistle, which I have also signed -- thereby proving that I follow the apostolic teachings, that I hold to them to this day, and that I am suffering for their sake. Assent has also been given by my lord Ibas and my lord Aquilinus, against whom the inventors of the new heresy have turned the imperial power. It remains for you and your most holy colleagues to bring aid to the beleaguered Church and drive away the war that threatens it. Banish the impious faction that has been roused against the truth. Restore to the churches their ancient peace. So will you receive from the Lord, who has promised to reward those who fight for Him, the recompense of eternal blessings.

Letter 181 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... Letter to Abundius, Bishop of Como. To my dear lord and very holy brother Abundius Theodoretus sends greeting in the Lord. I have discovered that your piety religiously preserves the true and apostolic faith; and I have thanked Almighty God that the truth which was in peril has been renewed and brought to light by your holiness. Of old, after the flood, it came to pass that Noah and his sons were left for seed of the human race. Just so in our own day are reserved the fathers of the West, that by them the holy churches of the East may be able to preserve that true religion which has been threatened with devastation and destruction by a new and impious heresy. Well may we quote those words of the prophet Except the Lord of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant we should have been as Sodom and we should have been like Gomorrha. So upon us from this impious heresy the wrath of God has fallen like a flood and invasion. Now we acknowledge the presence of our Saviour in a human body, and one Son of God, His perfect Godhead and His perfect manhood. We do not divide our one Lord Jesus Christ into two sons for He is one; but we recognise the distinction between God and man; we know that one is of the Father, the other of the seed of David and Abraham, according to the divine Scriptures, and that the divine nature is free from passion, the body which was before subject to passion being now itself too free from passion; for after the resurrection it is plainly delivered from all passion. This we have learned from the letter of the very holy and religious Archbishop our lord Leo. For we have read what he wrote to Flavianus, of holy and blessed memory, and have thanked the loving-kindness of the Lord because we have found an advocate and defender of the truth. To this letter I have given my adhesion, and have subjoined a copy of it to my present epistle, which I have also subscribed and have thereby proved that I obey the apostolic rules, that is true doctrines; that I abide in them to this day, and am suffering in their cause. Assent has also been given by my lord Ibas and my lord Aquilinus against whom the inventors of the new heresy have armed the imperial power. It remains for you with your very holy colleagues to bring aid to the sacred Church, and to drive away the war that threatens it. Banish the impious party which has been roused against the truth; give back the churches their ancient peace; so will you receive from the Lord, Who has promised to grant this boon, the fruits of your apostolic labours. All the very religious and godly presbyters and reverend deacons and brethren by your holiness I greet; and I and all who are with me salute your reverence.