Letter 93: The synodical letter of the council of Jerusalem sent to Theophilus in reply to the preceding. The translation as before is due to Jerome. The following is an epitome: We have done all that you wished, and Palestine is almost wholly free from the taint of heresy.
Jerome→Theophilus|c. 401 AD|jerome
christology
Theological controversy; Church council; Jewish-Christian relations
The Synodical Letter of the Bishops of Palestine to Theophilus
(Translated from the Greek by Jerome)
To our brother and fellow bishop Theophilus: the bishops of Palestine, gathered in council, send greetings in the Lord.
We have carried out everything you asked, and Palestine is now almost entirely free from the taint of heresy. We could only wish that not merely the Origenists, but also the Jews, the Samaritans, and the pagans might be brought to account — though that, we acknowledge, lies beyond our immediate authority.
Origenism, we assure you, has no foothold among us. The doctrines you have described are not heard in our churches. We formally anathematize all who hold such teachings, and likewise the errors of Apollinaris. We shall not receive into communion anyone whom you have excommunicated.
We count it a great blessing to stand together with you in defense of the Catholic faith.
From the Bishops of Palestine to Theophilus
The synodical letter of the council of Jerusalem sent to Theophilus in reply to the preceding. The translation as before is due to Jerome.
The following is an epitome: We have done all that you wished, and Palestine is almost wholly free from the taint of heresy. We wish that not only the Origenists, but Jews, Samaritans and heathen also, could be put down. Origenism does not exist among us. The doctrines you describe are never heard here. We anathematize those who hold such doctrines, and also those of Apollinaris, and shall not receive anyone whom you excommunicate.
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/3001093.htm>.
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The Synodical Letter of the Bishops of Palestine to Theophilus (Translated from the Greek by Jerome)
To our brother and fellow bishop Theophilus: the bishops of Palestine, gathered in council, send greetings in the Lord.
We have carried out everything you asked, and Palestine is now almost entirely free from the taint of heresy. We could only wish that not merely the Origenists, but also the Jews, the Samaritans, and the pagans might be brought to account — though that, we acknowledge, lies beyond our immediate authority.
Origenism, we assure you, has no foothold among us. The doctrines you have described are not heard in our churches. We formally anathematize all who hold such teachings, and likewise the errors of Apollinaris. We shall not receive into communion anyone whom you have excommunicated.
We count it a great blessing to stand together with you in defense of the Catholic faith.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.