Letter 113: Theophilus, bishop of Alexandria, had compiled an invective against John Chrysostom, bishop of Constantinople who was nosy (largely through his efforts) an exile from his see. This he now sends to Jerome with a request that the latter will render it into Latin for dissemination in the West. The invective (of which only a few fragments remain) is...

Theophilus, Bishop of Alexandria, to his most dear and loving brother Jerome — greetings in the Lord. At first, a verdict that accords with the truth pleases only a few. But the Lord says through His prophet: "My judgment goes forth as the light" (Hosea 6:5). Those who huddle in darkness, unable to see things clearly, are covered with shame in the end, and the outcome of events proves their efforts to have been futile. We were, for our part, always prepared to extend grace to John, who had for a time presided over the Church of Constantinople — hoping that he might bring himself to please God. We were slow to attribute to him the rash actions that ultimately led to his downfall. But there is no avoiding the facts: he took Origenists into his confidence, promoted many of them to the priesthood, and in doing so inflicted deep grief on that man of God, the blessed Epiphanius, a bright star among bishops in his generation. And so he has rightly come to hear the words of doom: "Babylon is fallen, is fallen" (Isaiah 21:9). "Judge not by appearances, but judge with righteous judgment" (John 7:24). I have followed this counsel in preparing my response, which I am sending you herewith. I ask that you translate it into Latin and distribute it throughout the West, so that those who might otherwise be deceived by John's reputation or by the sympathy of his supporters can see clearly what he has done and what the Church has decided. I know the task I am setting you is considerable, especially given the demands already pressing on you from all sides. But the work is urgent, and there is no one I trust more than you to render these matters into Latin with the precision and force they require.

From Theophilus to Jerome Theophilus, bishop of Alexandria, had compiled an invective against John Chrysostom, bishop of Constantinople who was nosy (largely through his efforts) an exile from his see. This he now sends to Jerome with a request that the latter will render it into Latin for dissemination in the West. The invective (of which only a few fragments remain) is of the most violent kind. Nevertheless Jerome translated it along with this letter, the date of which is 405 A.D. The latter part of the letter has perished. To the well-beloved and most loving brother Jerome, Theophilus sends greeting in the Lord. 1. At the outset the verdict which is in accordance with the truth satisfies but few. But the Lord speaking by the prophet says: my judgment goes forth as the light: Hosea 6:5 and they who are surrounded with a horror of darkness and do not with clear comprehension perceive the nature of things, are covered with eternal shame and know by the issues of their acts that their efforts have been in vain. Wherefore we also have always desired for John who has for a time ruled the church of Constantinople grace that he might please God, and we have been slow to attribute to him the rash acts which have caused his downfall. But, not to speak of his other misdeeds, he has taken the Origenists into his confidence, has advanced many of them to the priesthood, and by committing this crime has saddened with no slight grief that man of God, Epiphanius of blessed memory, who has shone throughout all the world a bright star among bishops. And therefore he has rightly come to hear the words of doom: Babylon is fallen, is fallen. Isaiah 21:9 2. Knowing then that the Saviour has said: judge not according to the appearance but judge righteous judgment. John 7:24 ... About this page Source. Translated by W.H. Fremantle, G. Lewis and W.G. Martley. From Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, Vol. 6. Edited by Philip Schaff and Henry Wace. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1893.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight. <https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3001113.htm>. Contact information. The editor of New Advent is Kevin Knight. My email address is feedback732 at newadvent.org. (To help fight spam, this address might change occasionally.) Regrettably, I can't reply to every letter, but I greatly appreciate your feedback — especially notifications about typographical errors and inappropriate ads.