Letter 47

From: Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrrhus To: Proclus, Bishop of Constantinople Date: ~440 AD Context: Theodoret appeals to the patriarch of Constantinople to block a renegade bishop's attempt to overturn the tax relief granted to Cyrrhus twelve years earlier. To Proclus, Bishop of Constantinople, A year ago, thanks to your holiness, the distinguished Philip -- governor of our city -- was delivered from serious danger. Once he was safely enjoying the security your intervention had secured, he filled our ears with your praises. But now a certain "most pious" individual is working to undo everything you accomplished. He is attacking a tax assessment carried out twelve years ago, and has adopted a style of slander that would be beneath even a respectable slave. I beg your sanctity to put a stop to his lies and to persuade the illustrious prefects to ratify the decision they rightly and mercifully rendered. The facts are these: our city was taxed more heavily than any other in the province. Even after every other city received relief, ours continued to this day assessed at over sixty-two thousand acres. Eventually the authorities were persuaded -- with difficulty -- to send inspectors. Their report was first accepted by Isidorus of blessed memory, then confirmed by the distinguished and Christ-loving lord Florentius, and the entire matter was carefully reviewed by our present ruler, whose fairness adorns his office. He confirmed the assessment by imperial decree. Yet this self-proclaimed champion of truth, motivated entirely by his hatred of one man -- the excellent Philip -- has declared war on the poor. I implore your holiness: marshal the forces of your righteous eloquence against his eloquence of wrong. Throw your shield over the truth that is under attack, and prove at once her strength and the futility of his lies.

Letter 47 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 Proclus, Bishop of Constantinople. A year ago, thanks to your holiness, the illustrious Philip governor of our city was delivered from serious danger. After entering into the enjoyment of the security which he owed to your kindness, he filled our ears with your praises. But all your labour a certain most pious personage was endeavouring to make null and void. The visitation made several times twelve years ago he calumniates, and has adopted a style of slander which would be unbecoming even in a respectable slave. Now I beseech your sanctity to put a stop to his lies, and to induce the illustrious præfects to ratify the decision which they duly and mercifully gave. As a matter of fact our city was taxed more severely than all the cities of the provinces, and after every city had been relieved ours continued to this day assessed at over sixty-two thousand acres. At last the occupants of that seat of honour were with difficulty induced to send inspectors of the district; their report was first received by Isidorus of famous memory and confirmed by the glorious and Christ-loving lord Florentius, and the whole matter was very carefully enquired into by our present ruler, whose equity adorns the throne, and he confirmed the assessment by an imperial decree. But this truth-loving person, all for his hatred of one single individual, the excellent Philip, has declared war against the poor. Under these circumstances I implore your holiness to array the forces of your righteous eloquence against his eloquence of wrong, to throw your shield over the truth which is attacked and at once prove her strength and the futility of lies.