Theodoret of Cyrrhus→Lupicius|c. 440 AD|theodoret cyrrhus
grief death
From: Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrrhus
To: Lupicius [likely a Western official or churchman]
Date: ~449 AD
Context: A brief appeal asking Lupicius to seize the present crisis as an opportunity to act for the truth and restore church unity.
To Lupicius,
Even the enemies of the truth, I think, must be outraged at the injustice and illegality of the violence done to us. It stands to reason that those nurtured in the truth -- headed by your excellency -- should be even more distressed at this shocking turn of events. Those who grieve most deeply should show the greatest zeal in countering what has been done so impiously and illegally, and in restoring the Church's body, now in danger of being torn apart, to its former unity.
I therefore ask your excellency to see the present crisis as an opportunity for spiritual service: give your earnest effort on behalf of the truth, and receive from our generous Master both His care in this present life and the kingdom of heaven in the life to come.
Letter 120
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To Lupicius.
Even the enemies of the truth must, I think, be indignant at the injustice and illegality of the violence done us. It is only reasonable that the nurslings of the truth, at whose head stands your excellency, should be still more distressed at this new and surprising tragedy. It is only right that those who are the more grieved should show the more earnestness and zeal to counteract the deeds impiously and illegally done; and restore to its previous concord the Church's body now in peril of being torn asunder. Wherefore I beseech your excellency to reckon the present crisis an opportunity for spiritual reciprocity; to give on your side earnestness on behalf of the truth, and to receive from our generous Master alike His kindly care in this present life and in the life to come the kingdom of heaven.
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From:Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrrhus
To:Lupicius [likely a Western official or churchman]
Date:~449 AD
Context:A brief appeal asking Lupicius to seize the present crisis as an opportunity to act for the truth and restore church unity.
To Lupicius,
Even the enemies of the truth, I think, must be outraged at the injustice and illegality of the violence done to us. It stands to reason that those nurtured in the truth -- headed by your excellency -- should be even more distressed at this shocking turn of events. Those who grieve most deeply should show the greatest zeal in countering what has been done so impiously and illegally, and in restoring the Church's body, now in danger of being torn apart, to its former unity.
I therefore ask your excellency to see the present crisis as an opportunity for spiritual service: give your earnest effort on behalf of the truth, and receive from our generous Master both His care in this present life and the kingdom of heaven in the life to come.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.