Theodoret of Cyrrhus→Claudianus|c. 440 AD|theodoret cyrrhus
arianismbarbarian invasionproperty economics
To Claudianus the Antigrapharius.
Although you have not yet met me in person, I believe your Excellency is already aware of the open slanders that have been published against me — for you have often heard me preaching in church, proclaiming the Lord Jesus and pointing out the distinct properties both of his Godhead and of his manhood. We do not divide the one Son into two; we worship the Only-begotten while recognizing the distinction between flesh and Godhead. Even the Arians, for that matter, acknowledge this much — they do not call the flesh Godhead, nor address the Godhead as flesh. Holy Scripture teaches us both natures clearly.
Nevertheless, though I have always spoken in this way, certain men are uttering lies against me. I rely on my conscience, and I have as witness to my teaching the one who looks into the heart. And so, as the prophet says, I regard the devices of slander as a spider's web. I wait for the great judgment that needs no words but makes manifest what in the meanwhile is hidden.
I send this letter through the devout bishops, thinking it worthwhile to greet your Excellency by means of them and to remind you of your promise. For even under attack I do not cease to cast the nets — knowing that the holy apostles themselves, even in the midst of every assault upon them, never abandoned the spiritual fisherman's work.
Letter 99
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 Claudianus the Antigrapharius.
Although you have not yet met me, I think that your excellency is aware of the open calumnies that have been published against me, for you have often heard me preaching in church, when I have proclaimed the Lord Jesus, and have pointed out the properties alike of the Godhead and of the manhood; for we do not divide one Son into two, but, worshipping the Only-begotten, point out the distinction between flesh and Godhead. This, indeed, is I think confessed even by the Arians, who do not call the flesh Godhead, nor address the Godhead as flesh. Holy Scripture clearly teaches us both natures. Nevertheless, though I have ever thus spoken, certain men are uttering lying words against me. But I rely on my conscience and have as witness to my teaching Him who looks into the hearts. So, as the prophet says, I regard the contrivances of calumny as a spider's web. I await the great judgment which needs no words, but makes manifest what in the meanwhile is unknown.
I send this by the very religious bishops, thinking it worth while to salute your excellency by them and to remind you of your promise. For attacked as I am I do not cease to go a-hunting, for I know that even the sacred apostles in the midst of the assaults made upon them did not cease to ply the net of the spirit.
◆
To Claudianus the Antigrapharius.
Although you have not yet met me in person, I believe your Excellency is already aware of the open slanders that have been published against me — for you have often heard me preaching in church, proclaiming the Lord Jesus and pointing out the distinct properties both of his Godhead and of his manhood. We do not divide the one Son into two; we worship the Only-begotten while recognizing the distinction between flesh and Godhead. Even the Arians, for that matter, acknowledge this much — they do not call the flesh Godhead, nor address the Godhead as flesh. Holy Scripture teaches us both natures clearly.
Nevertheless, though I have always spoken in this way, certain men are uttering lies against me. I rely on my conscience, and I have as witness to my teaching the one who looks into the heart. And so, as the prophet says, I regard the devices of slander as a spider's web. I wait for the great judgment that needs no words but makes manifest what in the meanwhile is hidden.
I send this letter through the devout bishops, thinking it worthwhile to greet your Excellency by means of them and to remind you of your promise. For even under attack I do not cease to cast the nets — knowing that the holy apostles themselves, even in the midst of every assault upon them, never abandoned the spiritual fisherman's work.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.