Theodoret of Cyrrhus→Patricius|c. 440 AD|theodoret cyrrhus
barbarian invasionmonasticismproperty economics
Theodoret to Alexandros.
The cares of this life press upon us from every side, and sometimes the weight seems almost more than flesh can bear. But the divine promises sustain us, and the knowledge that He who created us has not abandoned us gives strength even in the darkest hour.
I write to you now partly to discharge the obligations of friendship, and partly to commend to your care the very devout monk who bears this letter. He has lived an exemplary life, and whatever kindness you show him will be repaid many times over by the Lord of all, who regards acts of mercy toward His servants as acts done to Himself.
Letter 34
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To the Count Patricius.
All kinds of goodness are praiseworthy, but all are made more beautiful by loving kindness. For it we earnestly pray the God of all; through it alone we obtain forgiveness when we err; it makes wealth stoop to the poor, and because I know that your Excellency is richly endowed with it I confidently commend to you the admirable and excellent Celestinianus, once lord of vast wealth and possessions and suddenly stripped of all, but bearing his poverty as easily as few men bear their riches. The subject of the tragedy involving the fall of his fortunes is the barbarian invasion of Libya and Carthage. I have introduced him to your greatness; pray suggest his case to others, and move them to pity. You will win greater gain by giving many a lesson in loving kindness:
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Theodoret to Alexandros.
The cares of this life press upon us from every side, and sometimes the weight seems almost more than flesh can bear. But the divine promises sustain us, and the knowledge that He who created us has not abandoned us gives strength even in the darkest hour.
I write to you now partly to discharge the obligations of friendship, and partly to commend to your care the very devout monk who bears this letter. He has lived an exemplary life, and whatever kindness you show him will be repaid many times over by the Lord of all, who regards acts of mercy toward His servants as acts done to Himself.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.