Letter 75

From: Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrrhus To: The Clergy of Beroea Date: ~440 AD Context: Theodoret celebrates his warm ties with the clergy of Beroea, tracing their bond through a shared spiritual father, a beloved bishop, geographic proximity, and above all agreement in the faith. To the Clergy of Beroea [modern Aleppo], I see that my warm feelings toward your reverences are well founded, for your kind letter has assured me that my affection is returned. There are many reasons for this affection of mine. First, your father -- that great and apostolic man -- was my father too. Second, I regard the truly devout bishop who now governs your church as a brother, in both blood and sympathy. Third, our cities are near neighbors. Fourth, our frequent dealings with one another naturally create friendship and, once created, strengthen it. If you like, I will add a fifth: we share the same relationship as the tongue has with the ears -- the one uttering speech, the other receiving it. For you listen most gladly to my words, and I am happy to let fall my small contribution. But the crown of our union is our harmony in the faith: our refusal to accept any counterfeit doctrines, our preservation of the ancient apostolic teaching -- a tradition brought to you by venerable wisdom and nourished by the hard labor of virtue. I urge you, then, to take even greater care of the flock: preserve it unharmed for the Shepherd, and boldly speak the famous words of the patriarch: "That which was torn by beasts I did not bring to you" [Genesis 31:39 -- Jacob's declaration that he never passed off a loss as unavoidable].

Letter 75 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 the Clergy of Berœa. I perceive that it is with reason that I am well disposed to your reverences, for I have been assured by your kindly letter that my affection was returned. For this affection of mine towards you I have many reasons. First of all there is the fact that your father, that great and apostolic man, was my father too. Secondly I look upon that truly religious bishop, who now rules your church, as I might on a brother both in blood and in sympathy. Thirdly there is the near neighbourhood of our cities, and fourthly our frequent intercourse with one another, which naturally begets friendship and increases it when it is begotten. If you like, I will name yet a fifth, and that is that we have the same close connection with you as the tongue has with the ears, the former uttering speech, and the latter receiving it; for you most gladly listen to my words, and I am delighted to let fall my little drop upon you. But the colophon of our union is our harmony in faith; our refusal to accept any spurious doctrines; our preservation of the ancient and apostolic teaching, which has been brought to you by hoary wisdom and nurtured by virtue's hardy toil. I beseech you therefore to take greater care of the flock, to preserve it unharmed for the Shepherd, and boldly to utter the famous words of the patriarch that which was born of beasts I offered not unto You.