Letter 50

From: Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrrhus To: Gerontius, Archimandrite [head of a monastic community] Date: ~440 AD Context: Theodoret responds to Gerontius's anxious letter about an impending judgment, contrasting the monk's spiritual vigilance with his own admitted lethargy. To the Archimandrite Gerontius, The character of a soul is often painted in words, its unseen form revealed on the page. Your letter, reverend father, is exactly such a portrait -- it displays the piety of your holy soul. Your anticipation of that verdict, your anxiety, your search for advocates, your preparation of a defense: all of it clearly reveals your soul's passion for divine things. We, by contrast, are practically asleep. We are nourished on idleness and stand in desperate need of the help that prayer provides. Give us that help, O man beloved of God, so that we may at last wake up and give some proper attention to the state of our souls.

Letter 50 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 Archimandrite Gerontius. The characters of souls are often depicted in words and their unseen forms revealed; so now your reverence's letter exhibits the piety of your holy soul. Your waiting for that sentence, your anxiety, your search for advocates and preparation for a defense, clearly indicate your soul's zeal about divine things. We on the contrary are in a manner inactive and sleepy; we are nurtured in idleness, and stand in need of much assistance from prayers. Give them to us, O man beloved of God, that now at all events we may wake up and give some care to the soul.