Letter 123

From: Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrrhus To: Uranius, Bishop of Emesa [continued correspondence] Date: ~449 AD Context: A warm reply to Uranius, using the story of Jonah as a metaphor for his own situation, and noting that he has accepted Uranius's gift despite normally refusing such aid. To the Same, Your letter was long and delightful, and it shows how warm and genuine your affection is. I am so pleased by it that I do not regret misunderstanding the opening of your previous one. My misreading has drawn out your brotherly love, revealed the sincerity of your faith, and displayed your zeal for true religion. We have, it seems, divided the prophet Jonah's story between us: your holiness has supplied the words, while I am battered by the hurricane and the waves. Against the sailors of this ship I cry out in Jonah's own words: "Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the mercy that could be theirs" [Jonah 2:8]. Perhaps He who is Lord of both Jonah and me will grant that I too may rise and be released from the belly of the beast. But even if the storm continues to rage, I trust in divine protection and will learn from my own experience how "His strength is made perfect in weakness" [2 Corinthians 12:9] -- for He has measured the danger to match my frailty. The prophet Jonah was thrown into the sea by all of his shipmates at once, but I have been granted the consolation of your holiness and of other godly people. For you and for them I pray that the blessing given to the excellent Onesiphorus may be yours, "for you have not been ashamed of my chains" [2 Timothy 1:16] -- indeed, you have shared in my afflictions for the faith's sake. One thing I want you to know: although other godly bishops have sent me gifts, I have declined to accept them -- not out of disrespect, God forbid, but because my daily bread has always been provided by the One who feeds even the ravens without fail. But in your case I have made an exception. The warmth of your friendship has overridden my usual principle. Be assured, my godly friend, that ever since our friendship began, the fire of our affection has only burned hotter.

Letter 123 Please help support the mission of New Advent and get the full contents of this website as an instant download. Includes the Catholic Encyclopedia, Church Fathers, Summa, Bible and more — all for only $19.99... To the Same. Your letter was a long one, and a pleasant one, and it shows how warm and genuine is your affection. So delighted am I with it that I am not at all sorry for having erroneously conjectured the meaning of the beginning of your former one. For my misapprehension of the intention of your letter has disclosed your brotherly love, made plain the sincerity of your faith, and shown your zeal for the true religion. We have indeed shared between us the words and the trials of the prophet; your holiness has used the words; I am buffeted by the hurricane and billows, and against the rowers of the ship I exclaim in his words They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy. Perhaps He who is Jonah's Lord and mine will grant that I too may rise and be released from the monster. But if the surge continue to boil I trust that even thus I shall enjoy the divine protection, and learn by my own experience how His strength is made perfect in weakness, for He has measured the peril by my infirmity. The divine prophet whom I have mentioned was flung into the sea by his shipmates one and all, but I am granted the consolation of your holiness, and of other godly men. For them and for your godliness I pray that the blessing bestowed upon the excellent Onesiphorus may be yours, for you have not blushed at my gibes; nay rather you have shared in my afflictions for the faith's sake. And one thing which I wish you to know is that, though other godly bishops have sent me their bounty, I have declined to receive it — not from any want of respect to the senders, God forbid — but because hitherto food convenient for me has been provided by Him Who gives it even to the ravens without stint. In the case of your reverence I have acted differently, for really the warmth of your affection has overcome what has hitherto been my fixed principle. For be well assured, my godly friend, that ever since friendship grew up between us the fire of our love has been kindled to greater heat.