Theodoret of Cyrrhus→Sophronius, of Constantina|c. 440 AD|theodoret cyrrhus
barbarian invasionfamine plague
From: Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrrhus
To: Sophronius, Bishop of Constantina
Date: ~440 AD
Context: Theodoret asks the generous Sophronius to help the displaced African bishop Cyprianus and forward him to other sympathetic bishops.
To Sophronius, Bishop of Constantina,
Since I know, beloved of God, how generous and bountiful your right hand is, I am placing a precious opportunity within your reach. Men who hunger after worldly gain are annoyed at the sight of those who need financial help. But the generous are delighted -- because the riches they seek are heavenly.
The man who brings you this opportunity is the God-beloved bishop Cyprianus. He was once known for his ministry to others, but now, bearing a heartbreaking account of the African catastrophe, he must depend on the generosity of the faithful.
I trust that he will enjoy your brotherly kindness and be sent on with letters to other havens of refuge.
Letter 53
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To Sophronius, Bishop of Constantina.
Since I know, O God-beloved, how generous and bountiful is your right hand, I put a coveted boon within your reach; for just as men hungry for this world's gain are annoyed at the sight of them that stand in need of pecuniary aid, so the liberal are delighted, because the riches they reach after are heavenly. A man who furnishes this excellent opportunity is the God-beloved bishop Cyprianus, formerly known among them that minister to others, but now, while he gives a deplorable account of the African calamities, he has to look to the benevolence of others, and depends on the bounty of pious souls. I hope that he too will enjoy your brotherly kindness, and will be forwarded with letters to other havens of refuge.
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From:Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrrhus
To:Sophronius, Bishop of Constantina
Date:~440 AD
Context:Theodoret asks the generous Sophronius to help the displaced African bishop Cyprianus and forward him to other sympathetic bishops.
To Sophronius, Bishop of Constantina,
Since I know, beloved of God, how generous and bountiful your right hand is, I am placing a precious opportunity within your reach. Men who hunger after worldly gain are annoyed at the sight of those who need financial help. But the generous are delighted -- because the riches they seek are heavenly.
The man who brings you this opportunity is the God-beloved bishop Cyprianus. He was once known for his ministry to others, but now, bearing a heartbreaking account of the African catastrophe, he must depend on the generosity of the faithful.
I trust that he will enjoy your brotherly kindness and be sent on with letters to other havens of refuge.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.