Theodoret of Cyrrhus→Pompianus, of Emesa|c. 440 AD|theodoret cyrrhus
property economicswomen
Theodoret to Ibas, Bishop of Edessa.
What I have long feared has now come to pass. The enemies of the true faith, emboldened by the silence of those who should resist them, press their advantage with growing audacity. Yet I take comfort in the knowledge that Your Holiness stands firm, a rock amid the rising tide.
I ask you to receive the bearer of this letter with your customary kindness. He is a man of proven piety who has been driven from his home by the violence of the times. Commend him to such of your brethren as may be able to assist him, and in doing so you will lay up treasure where moth and rust do not corrupt.
The times demand vigilance and courage. Let us not fail the truth that has been entrusted to us.
Letter 36
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 Pompianus, Bishop of Emesa.
I know very well that your means are small and your heart is great, and that in your case generosity is not prevented by limited resources. I therefore introduce to your holiness the admirable and excellent Celestinianus, once enjoying much wealth and prosperity, but now escaped from the hands of the barbarians with nothing but freedom, and having no means of livelihood except the mercy of men like your piety. And cares crowd round him, for travelling with him are his wife, children and servants, whom he has brought with him from no motives but those of humanity, for he cannot think it right to dismiss them when they refuse to abandon him. I beg you of your goodness to make him known to our wealthy citizens, for I think that, after being informed by your holiness and seeing how soon prosperity may fall away, they will bethink them of our common humanity, and, in imitation of your magnanimity, will give him such help as they can.
◆
Theodoret to Ibas, Bishop of Edessa.
What I have long feared has now come to pass. The enemies of the true faith, emboldened by the silence of those who should resist them, press their advantage with growing audacity. Yet I take comfort in the knowledge that Your Holiness stands firm, a rock amid the rising tide.
I ask you to receive the bearer of this letter with your customary kindness. He is a man of proven piety who has been driven from his home by the violence of the times. Commend him to such of your brethren as may be able to assist him, and in doing so you will lay up treasure where moth and rust do not corrupt.
The times demand vigilance and courage. Let us not fail the truth that has been entrusted to us.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.