Letter 121: (Written a little later, as a letter of thanks for an Easter gift. Theodore had quite recently been made Archbishop of Tyana.) We rejoice in the tokens of love, and especially at such a season, and from one at once so young a man, and so perfect; and, to greet you with the words of Scripture, established in your youth, for so it calls him who i...

Gregory of NazianzusTheodore, Physician|gregory nazianzus
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Gregory to Theodore, Archbishop of Tyana.

We rejoice in the tokens of your love, especially at such a season, and from one who is at once so young and so distinguished a bishop. Your Easter gift was welcome not for its material value but for the affection it expressed.

May the Lord bless you in your new office. The see of Tyana needs a strong and faithful shepherd, and I believe He has provided one. Govern well, teach faithfully, and remember that the glory of a bishop consists not in the splendor of his throne but in the holiness of his life.

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

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