Letter 87: Theophilus informs Jerome that he has expelled the Origenists from the monasteries of Nitria, and urges him to show his zeal for the faith by writing against the prevalent heresy. The date of the letter is 400 A.D. Theophilus, bishop, to the well-beloved and most loving brother, the presbyter Jerome.

Letter 87: From Theophilus to Jerome (400 AD) [Theophilus, the bishop of Alexandria, informs Jerome that he has expelled the Origenist monks from the monasteries of Nitria and urges him to demonstrate his zeal by writing against the heresy.] Theophilus, bishop, to the beloved and most loving brother, the priest Jerome. The reverend bishop Agatho and the beloved deacon Athanasius are accredited to you with news about the church. When you learn what has happened, I have no doubt you will approve my decision and rejoice in the church's victory. For we have cut down the thorns of heresy in the monasteries of Nitria, and the garden of the Lord is now being restored. I urge you to use the gifts God has given you — your pen and your learning — in the service of the faith. Write against this pestilent heresy, so that those in the West who have been deceived may learn the truth from your writings.

From Theophilus to Jerome Theophilus informs Jerome that he has expelled the Origenists from the monasteries of Nitria, and urges him to show his zeal for the faith by writing against the prevalent heresy. The date of the letter is 400 A.D. Theophilus, bishop, to the well-beloved and most loving brother, the presbyter Jerome. The reverend bishop Agatho with the well-beloved deacon Athanasius is accredited to you with tidings relating to the church. When you learn their import I feel no doubt but that you will approve my resolution and will exult in the church's victory. For we have cut down with the prophet's sickle Joel 3:13 certain wicked fanatics who were eager to sow broadcast in the monasteries of Nitria the heresy of Origen. We have remembered the warning words of the apostle, rebuke with all authority. Titus 2:15 Therefore on your part, as you hope to receive a share in this reward, you should hasten to bring back with scriptural discourses those who have been deceived. It is our desire, if possible, to guard in our days not only the Catholic faith and the rules of the church, but the people committed to our charge, and to give a quietus to all strange doctrines. 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/3001087.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.