Letter 52: To Ibas, Bishop of Edessa [one of the major cities of Roman Mesopotamia, modern Urfa in southeastern Turkey],

To Ibas, Bishop of Edessa [one of the major cities of Roman Mesopotamia, modern Urfa in southeastern Turkey], I believe it is part of God's providential care for our common salvation that he allows certain calamities to fall upon some people. For the chastened, such misfortunes become a healing remedy. For those already striving toward virtue, they are an encouragement to hold firm. And for everyone who witnesses them, they serve as a powerful example -- since it is natural, when we see others punished, to be seized by fear ourselves. With these thoughts in mind, I view the disaster in Africa [the Vandal conquest of Roman North Africa, which devastated the Catholic church there] as carrying a lesson for all of us. When I recall their former prosperity and then contemplate their sudden ruin, I see how unstable all human affairs are, and I learn a double lesson: not to rejoice in good fortune as though it will last forever, and not to be crushed by calamity as though it were unbearable. Then I remember my own past failings, and I tremble at the thought of suffering a similar fate. My main reason for writing, however, is to introduce to your holiness the deeply devout bishop Cyprianus. He has come from that famous Africa and is now compelled by the barbarians' savagery to wander through foreign lands. He carries a letter of introduction from the most holy bishop Eusebius, who wisely governs the Galatians. When your piety has received him with your customary kindness, I ask you to send him on with letters to whatever faithful bishops you think fitting, so that while he enjoys their consolation, he may in turn be the means of their receiving heavenly and lasting blessings.

Letter 52