Letter 94: In this letter (translated into Latin by Jerome) Dionysius, bishop of Lydda, praises Theophilus for his signal victories over Origenism and urges him to continue his efforts against that heresy. Written in 400 A.D. About this page Source.
Dionysius, Bishop of Lydda, to Theophilus of Alexandria — greetings in the Lord.
(Translated from the Greek by Jerome)
The news of your victories against Origenism has filled us with joy and renewed our courage. You have done what many of us barely dared to hope: you have named the heresy plainly, condemned it formally, and driven its promoters from their positions of influence. The Church owes you a debt that cannot easily be repaid in words.
Do not relent now. The serpent has been wounded, not killed. Those who spread Origen's errors are resourceful, well-connected, and unashamed. They will regroup, find new patrons, and present themselves as innocent victims of episcopal tyranny. You know better, and so do we. Continue the work. We stand with you and will follow your lead in whatever further action the cause requires.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.
Related Letters
Replying to the preceding letter Jerome again congratulates Theophilus on the success of his efforts to put down Origenism, and informs him that they have already borne fruit as far west as Italy. He then asks him for the decrees of his council (held recently at Alexandria). The date of the letter is 400 A.D.
When the dispute arose between Jerome and Epiphanius on the one side and Rufinus and John of Jerusalem on the other (see Letter LI.), Theophilus bishop of Alexandria, being appealed to by the latter sent the presbyter Isidore to report to him on the matter. Isidore reported against Jerome and consequently Theophilus refused to answer several of ...