Letter 94

To Protogenes the Prefect. The loving-kindness of the Lord has already given you an opportunity to carry out your good intentions. He has given you a greater opportunity now, so that your Excellency may more easily champion the cause of truth under attack, bring the lies to nothing, and give the churches the calm for which they so intensely long. Your Excellency will have learned from many other sources how great a surge is overwhelming the churches of the East. You will gain more precise information, however, from the devout bishops who, on account of it, have undertaken this long winter journey — relying, next after the grace of God, on the providence of your authority. Scatter the storm for us, O Christian man. Change this moonless night into clear sunshine. Bridle the tongues that are being set in motion against us. We, by God's grace, are ever fighting for the apostolic decrees, and we preserve undefiled the faith laid down at Nicaea, calling impious all who dare to violate its definitions. As evidence that what I say is true, call as witnesses my catechumens, those I have baptized, the hearers of my discourses in the churches. If these men mean to accuse me in accordance with the law, they must convict me in my presence, not slander me behind my back. Your Excellency, in judging other cases, is accustomed to render verdicts precisely in this way — discerning which side holds the right from the arguments of both prosecution and defense.

Letter 94 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 Protogenes The Præfect. The loving-kindness of the Lord has already given you an opportunity of carrying out your good intentions. He has given you a greater opportunity now, that your excellency may the more easily champion the cause of the truth that is assailed, bring lies to nought, and give the churches the calm for which they so intensely long. Your excellency has already learned from many other sources how great is the surge by which the churches in the East are overwhelmed, but you will acquire more accurate information concerning it from the very religious bishops who, on account of it, have undertaken their long journey in the winter, relying, next after the Grace of God, on the providence of your authority. Disperse for us, then, O Christian man, the storm, change the moonless night into clear sunshine, and bridle the tongues set wagging against us. We by God's grace are ever fighting for the apostolic decrees, and we preserve undefiled the faith laid down at Nicæa, and style impious all who dare to violate its dogmas. In evidence of the truth of what I say may be cited my catechumens, those who are from time to time baptized by me, and the hearers of my discourses in the churches. If they mean to accuse me in accordance with the law, they must convict me in my presence, not slander me in my absence. In this manner your excellency, when giving judgment in other cases, is wont to deliver your sentences, perceiving on which side lies the right from the pleadings both of the prosecution and of the defense.