Theodoret of Cyrrhus→Andrew, Monk of Constantinople|c. 440 AD|theodoret cyrrhus
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From: Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrrhus
To: Andrew, Monk of Constantinople
Date: ~451 AD
Context: Theodoret initiates correspondence with a monk he has never met, drawn by reports of his orthodoxy and virtue, and defends himself against the charge of teaching "two sons."
To Andrew, Monk of Constantinople,
I have never met your piety in person, and we have never exchanged letters. Yet I have become warmly attached to you. What has created this affection and keeps it burning is the unanimous report brought by those who have tasted your honey. Everyone speaks admiringly of the orthodoxy of your faith, the brightness of your life, the steadfastness of your character, the warmth and sweetness of your company, and all the other marks of one truly nurtured in the love of wisdom. For all these reasons I am drawn to your godliness, and my longing has prompted me to begin a correspondence. But, my dear sir, grant me what I desire as soon as possible: write to me. When friends are separated, nothing brings more comfort than letters.
You will be writing to no man of heterodox opinions, but to one raised in apostolic teaching -- a preacher not of a "quaternity" but of the Trinity. For I see little real difference between the impiety of those who dare to merge the two natures of the Only-begotten into one [the Monophysites] and those who would divide our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, God the Word made man, into two sons -- if indeed such people exist. I cannot believe they do. Arians, Eunomians, and Apollinarians have always shamelessly fabricated this slander against the Church. Careful students can easily see that our celebrated Fathers, the lights of the churches, suffered this same accusation from the enemies of truth -- the very charge now leveled against me by the most excellent champions of the newfangled heresy. Our wise Lord has laid bare their impiety, for He could not endure to let His long-suffering confirm their unholy teaching.
Be assured, then, that you will be writing to someone who shares your convictions -- and you can easily verify this from my many published writings. Write to me, and by God's will your letter will kindle further affection. And before you write, give me the help of your prayers. Beseech our good Lord to guide my feet on the right road, that I may travel the rest of my journey according to His laws. You, who have won the right of access through your blameless life, will easily persuade the One who is eager to give us His good gifts.
Letter 143
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To Andrew, Monk of Constantinople.
I have never seen your piety nor have we ever communicated by letter, but I have become warmly attached to you. What has wrought the charm and continues to inflame it is the report unanimously brought by the tasters of your honey. All express admiration of the orthodoxy of your faith, the brightness of your life, the constancy of your soul, the harmoniousness of your character, the attractiveness and sweetness of your society and all the other characteristics of the true foster child of philosophy. For all these reasons I am attached to your godliness, and my longing has made me even begin a correspondence; but, my dear sir, grant me as soon as possible what I desire and let me have written communication from you. For when friends are at a distance considerable comfort is given them by epistolary communication. You will write to no man of heterodox opinions, but to one nurtured in the teaching of the apostles and preacher not of a quaternity but of a Trinity, for in reality I see little difference in the impiety of those who have the hardihood to endeavour to contract into one the two natures of the Only-begotten and those who endeavour to divide our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, God the Word made man, into two sons; if such indeed there be; I cannot think so; but Arians, Eunomians, and Apollinarians too have ever shamelessly fabricated this slander against the Church, and indeed laborious students may easily perceive that our far famed Fathers, lights of the churches, laboured at the hands of the foes of the truth under this accusation which is now levelled against me by the most excellent champions of the new fangled heresy. Our wise Lord has laid bare their impiety, for He could not endure to confirm the unholy heresy by His long suffering.
Be sure then, sir, that you will be writing to one of like sentiments with your own; and of this you can easily assure yourself from my copious writings.
Write then to me in return, and again your letter, by God's leave, shall serve to kindle affection. And before you write, give me the help of your prayers, and beseech our good Lord to guide my feet into the right road, that I may travel the rest of my journey in accordance with His laws. You who have won right of access from your unstained life will easily persuade Him Who is eager to give us His good gifts.
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From:Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrrhus
To:Andrew, Monk of Constantinople
Date:~451 AD
Context:Theodoret initiates correspondence with a monk he has never met, drawn by reports of his orthodoxy and virtue, and defends himself against the charge of teaching "two sons."
To Andrew, Monk of Constantinople,
I have never met your piety in person, and we have never exchanged letters. Yet I have become warmly attached to you. What has created this affection and keeps it burning is the unanimous report brought by those who have tasted your honey. Everyone speaks admiringly of the orthodoxy of your faith, the brightness of your life, the steadfastness of your character, the warmth and sweetness of your company, and all the other marks of one truly nurtured in the love of wisdom. For all these reasons I am drawn to your godliness, and my longing has prompted me to begin a correspondence. But, my dear sir, grant me what I desire as soon as possible: write to me. When friends are separated, nothing brings more comfort than letters.
You will be writing to no man of heterodox opinions, but to one raised in apostolic teaching -- a preacher not of a "quaternity" but of the Trinity. For I see little real difference between the impiety of those who dare to merge the two natures of the Only-begotten into one [the Monophysites] and those who would divide our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, God the Word made man, into two sons -- if indeed such people exist. I cannot believe they do. Arians, Eunomians, and Apollinarians have always shamelessly fabricated this slander against the Church. Careful students can easily see that our celebrated Fathers, the lights of the churches, suffered this same accusation from the enemies of truth -- the very charge now leveled against me by the most excellent champions of the newfangled heresy. Our wise Lord has laid bare their impiety, for He could not endure to let His long-suffering confirm their unholy teaching.
Be assured, then, that you will be writing to someone who shares your convictions -- and you can easily verify this from my many published writings. Write to me, and by God's will your letter will kindle further affection. And before you write, give me the help of your prayers. Beseech our good Lord to guide my feet on the right road, that I may travel the rest of my journey according to His laws. You, who have won the right of access through your blameless life, will easily persuade the One who is eager to give us His good gifts.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.