Letter 163

From: The Eastern Commissioners at Chalcedon (including Theodoret) To: The Eastern Bishops remaining at Ephesus Date: September 431 AD Context: A dispatch from the Eastern delegation at Chalcedon, where they have been summoned for hearings before the emperor. They report the distressing news that Nestorius has been dismissed from Ephesus, but vow to fight on for the faith. First Letter of the Eastern Commissioners from Chalcedon, On our arrival at Chalcedon -- for neither we nor our opponents were permitted to enter Constantinople, on account of the riots by the monks -- we learned that eight days before our arrival (such is the justice of our most pious prince!) the lord Nestorius was dismissed from Ephesus, free to go where he wished. We are deeply distressed, since deeds done illegally and without proper procedure now seem to carry official weight. But rest assured, your holiness, that we will eagerly join the battle for the faith and are prepared to fight even to the death. Today, the eleventh of Gorpiaeus [September], we expect our most pious emperor to cross over to the Rufinianum [an imperial estate near Chalcedon], where he will hear the case. We beg your holiness to pray that the Lord Christ may help us confirm the faith of the holy Fathers and uproot these Chapters [Cyril's Twelve Anathemas] which have sprouted to the Church's damage. We implore you to think and act with us, and to persevere in your devotion to the orthodox faith. When this letter was written, the lord Himerius had not yet reached us, perhaps delayed on the road. But do not let this trouble you. Only let your piety support us vigorously, and we trust that the gloom will disappear and the truth will shine forth.

Letter 163 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... First Letter of the Commissioners of the East, sent to Chalcedon, among whom was Theodoretus. On our arrival at Chalcedon, for neither we ourselves nor our opponents were permitted to enter Constantinople, on account of the seditions of the excellent monks, we heard that eight days before we had appeared (behold the glory of the most pious prince) the lord Nestorius was dismissed from Ephesus, free to go where he would; whereat we are much distressed, since verily deeds done illegally and informally now seem to have some force. Let your holiness however be assured that we shall eagerly join the battle for the Faith, and are willing to fight even unto death. Today, the 11th of the month Gorpiæum, we are expecting our very pious Emperor to cross over to the Rufinianum, and there to hear the trial. We therefore beg your holiness to pray the Lord Christ to help us to be able to confirm the faith of the holy Fathers, and to pluck up by the roots these Chapters which have sprouted to the damage of the Church. We implore your holiness to think and act with us, and to abide in your ready devotion to the orthodox faith. When this letter was written the lord Himerius had not yet met us, being perhaps hindered on the road. But do not let this trouble you. Only let your piety strenuously support us, and we trust that gloom will disappear, and the truth shine forth.