Letter 5019: Ad Aredium abbatem

Venantius FortunatusAbbot Aredius|c. 580 AD|Venantius Fortunatus
friendshipmonasticismwomen

To Abbot Aredius

I wish, kind father, to bring you greetings by word — since I cannot see you here with my eye. For my cultivation of your honor is so great that I have sent this page to reach you from here on my behalf. Still, blessed one, I ask: through the sweet pastures of Christ, do remember me when you offer prayers by mouth.

I believe that God's gifts will be granted to me, pastor Aredius [Yrieix of Atane, abbot of the monastery of Atane in the Limousin, later canonized as Saint Yrieix], if you are mindful of your Fortunatus, kind one.

On my behalf too, dear one, greet the holy mother [presumably the abbess of a community associated with Aredius's monastery], and when this boy returns, send back the help of your speech.

Your own daughters [Agnes and Radegund at Poitiers] greet you in turn, ample father — Agnes together with Radegund in faithful love.

Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.

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