Letter 33

Theodoret to Aphthonius. The praises that are borne to us by the many who speak of you match what I already knew of your character. I rejoice to hear confirmed what I had long believed — that you are a man of integrity, wisdom, and devotion. I am sending this letter by a trustworthy messenger, and through him I greet you warmly and commend to your care the bearer's errand. I am confident that your kindness will not disappoint, for generosity is second nature to those who fear God and honor their fellow men.

Letter 33 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 Stasimus, Count and Primate. To narrate the sufferings of the most honourable and dignified Celestinianus would require tragic eloquence. Tragic writers set forth fully the ills of humanity, but I can only in a word inform your excellency that his country is Libya, so long on all men's tongues, his city the far famed Carthage, his hereditary rank a seat in her famous council, his circumstances affluent. But all this is now a tale, mere words stripped bare of realities. The barbarian war has deprived him of all this. But such is fortune; she refuses to remain always with the same men and hastens to change her abode to dwell with others. I beg to introduce this to your excellency, and beseech you that he may enjoy your far famed beneficence. I beg also that through your excellency he may become known to all those who are in office and opulence, in order that you may both become a means of advantage to them and win the higher reward from our merciful God.