Letter 9
To Archbishop Theophilus.
Most holy and wise prelate — may you enjoy a long and comfortable old age! The continuation of your life is a great blessing to us in many ways, but the greatest contribution to Christian teaching is this growing series of Paschal letters, which expands with each passing year. The one you sent us this year has both instructed and charmed our cities, as much by the grace of its language as by the grandeur of its ideas.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.
Related Letters
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 forwards to Theophilus a translation of the latter's paschal letter for 404 A.D. and apologizes for his delay in sending it, on the ground that ill-health and grief for the death of Paula have prevented him from doing literary work. The date of the letter is 404 A.D.
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.