Letter 78

To Cyprian, our brother and colleague — Lucius, and all the brothers who are with me, greetings in the Lord. Your letter came to us, dearest brother, while we were rejoicing and exulting in God — because he had armed us for the contest and made us, by his condescension, conquerors in the battle. The letter you sent through Herennianus the sub-deacon, and Lucian and Maximus and Amantius the acolytes reached us, and when we read it we found in it a loosening of our bonds, a comfort in our affliction, and a support in our need. We were roused and more fiercely strengthened to bear whatever punishment may yet be waiting for us. Even before our suffering, you called us forward to glory — you who first showed us the way to confess the name of Christ. We who follow in the footprints of your confession hope for an equal grace. For whoever is first in the race is also first toward the prize; and you who first entered this course have shared it with us from its beginning, showing that undivided love with which you have always loved us, so that we who had one Spirit in the bond of peace might have the grace of your prayers, and one crown of confession. But in your case, dearest brother, to the crown of confession will be added the reward of all your labor — an abundant measure that you will receive from the Lord in the day of retribution. You have presented yourself to us through your letter as you showed yourself to us in that candid and blessed heart that is yours: full of love for us, anxious for our welfare, present with us though absent in body. We are upheld by your prayers. We await the end with courage.

Epistle 78 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... The Reply to the Same of Lucius and the Rest of the Martyrs. Argument.— The Argument of the Present Letter Is, in Substance, the Same as that of the Preceding; And Therefore It is Not a Letter of Lucius the Roman Bishop, But of Lucius the African Bishop and Martyr. 1. To Cyprian our brother and colleague, Lucius, and all the brethren who are with me in the Lord, greeting. Your letter came to us, dearest brother, while we were exulting and rejoicing in God that He had armed us for the struggle, and had made us by His condescension conquerors in the battle; the letter, namely, which you sent to us by Herennianus the subdeacon, and Lucian, and Maximus, and Amantius the acolytes, which when we read we received a relaxation in our bonds, a solace in our affliction, and a support in our necessity; and we were aroused and more strenuously animated to bear whatever more of punishment might be awaiting us. For before our suffering we were called forth by you to glory, who first afforded us guidance to confession of the name of Christ. We indeed, who follow the footsteps of your confession, hope for an equal grace with you. For he who is first in the race is first also for the reward; and you who first occupied the course thence have communicated this to us from what you began, showing doubtless the undivided love wherewith you have always loved us, so that we who had one Spirit in the bond of peace might have the grace of your prayers, and one crown of confession. 2. But in your case, dearest brother, to the crown of confession is added the reward of your labours — an abundant measure which you shall receive from the Lord in the day of retribution, who have by your letter presented yourself to us, as you manifested to us that candid and blessed breast of yours which we have ever known, and in accordance with its largeness have uttered praises to God with us, not as much as we deserve to hear, but as much as you are able to utter. For with your words you have both adorned those things which had been less in-strutted in us, and have strengthened us to the sustaining of those sufferings which we bear, as being certain of the heavenly rewards, and of the crown of martyrdom, and of the kingdom of God, from the prophecy which, being filled with the Holy Spirit, you have pledged to us in your letter. All this will happen, beloved, if you will have us in mind in your prayers, which I trust you do even as we certainly do. 3. And thus, O brother most longed-for, we have received what you sent to us from Quirinus and from yourself, a sacrifice from every clean thing. Even as Noah offered to God, and God was pleased with the sweet savour, and had respect unto his offering, so also may He have respect unto yours, and may He be pleased to return to you the reward of this so good work. But I beg that you will command the letter which we have written to Quirinus to be sent forward. I bid you, dearest brother and earnestly desired, ever heartily farewell, and remember us. Greet all who are with you. Farewell.