Theodoret of Cyrrhus→Dioscorus, of Alexandria|c. 440 AD|theodoret cyrrhus
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From: Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrrhus
To: Dioscorus, Bishop of Alexandria
Date: ~440 AD
Context: Theodoret writes a carefully diplomatic letter to the powerful patriarch of Alexandria, praising his modesty and requesting his prayers -- a striking gesture given that Dioscorus would later become Theodoret's bitter enemy at the "Robber Council" of Ephesus in 449.
To Dioscorus, Bishop of Alexandria [the patriarch of the most powerful see in the eastern church after Constantinople],
Among the many virtues we hear adorn your holiness -- for the fame of your glory fills every ear and flies in every direction -- men unanimously single out your modesty for special praise. This is a virtue our Lord set himself as the example of in his teaching: "Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart" [Matthew 11:29]. For though God is exalted -- indeed, the Most High -- he honored the meek and lowly spirit when he took on human flesh.
Looking to him, my lord, you do not fix your gaze on the multitude of your subjects or the height of your throne. Instead you see human nature itself, with all its swift reversals, and you follow the divine laws whose observance wins us the kingdom of heaven.
Hearing of this modesty, I take courage to greet in this letter one who is sacred and dear to God, and I offer prayers whose fruit is salvation. The occasion for writing is provided by the deeply devout presbyter Eusebius. When I learned of his journey to Alexandria, I immediately wrote this letter to ask your holiness to support us with your prayers, and to gladden us with a reply -- sending to us who are hungry the blessed banquet of your words.
Letter 60
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To Dioscorus, Bishop of Alexandria.
Among many forms of virtue by which we hear that your holiness is adorned (for all men's ears are filled by the flying fame of your glory, which speeds in all directions) special praise is unanimously given to your modesty, a characteristic of which our Lord in His law has given Himself as an ensample, saying, Learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; for though God is high, or rather most high He honoured at His incarnation the meek and lowly spirit. Looking then to Him, sir, you do not behold the multitude of your subjects nor the exaltation of your throne, but you see rather human nature, and life's rapid changes, and follow the divine laws whose observance gives us the kingdom of heaven. Hearing of this modesty on the part of your holiness, I take courage in a letter to salute a person sacred and dear to God, and I offer prayers whereof the fruit is salvation. Occasion is given me to write by the very pious presbyter Eusebius, for when I heard of his journey there I immediately indited this letter to call upon your holiness to support us by your prayers, and by your reply to give us a spiritual feast, sending to us who are hungry the blessed banquet of your words.
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From:Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrrhus
To:Dioscorus, Bishop of Alexandria
Date:~440 AD
Context:Theodoret writes a carefully diplomatic letter to the powerful patriarch of Alexandria, praising his modesty and requesting his prayers -- a striking gesture given that Dioscorus would later become Theodoret's bitter enemy at the "Robber Council" of Ephesus in 449.
To Dioscorus, Bishop of Alexandria [the patriarch of the most powerful see in the eastern church after Constantinople],
Among the many virtues we hear adorn your holiness -- for the fame of your glory fills every ear and flies in every direction -- men unanimously single out your modesty for special praise. This is a virtue our Lord set himself as the example of in his teaching: "Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart" [Matthew 11:29]. For though God is exalted -- indeed, the Most High -- he honored the meek and lowly spirit when he took on human flesh.
Looking to him, my lord, you do not fix your gaze on the multitude of your subjects or the height of your throne. Instead you see human nature itself, with all its swift reversals, and you follow the divine laws whose observance wins us the kingdom of heaven.
Hearing of this modesty, I take courage to greet in this letter one who is sacred and dear to God, and I offer prayers whose fruit is salvation. The occasion for writing is provided by the deeply devout presbyter Eusebius. When I learned of his journey to Alexandria, I immediately wrote this letter to ask your holiness to support us with your prayers, and to gladden us with a reply -- sending to us who are hungry the blessed banquet of your words.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.