Theodoret of Cyrrhus→Unknown|c. 440 AD|theodoret cyrrhus
From: Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrrhus
To: [unnamed recipients, a festal letter]
Date: ~440 AD
Context: A brief Paschal letter connecting the disciples' initial bewilderment at the Crucifixion with their subsequent joy at the Resurrection.
Festal greeting.
When the Master endured the saving Passion for the sake of humanity, the company of the holy apostles was deeply shaken -- for they did not yet clearly understand what fruit the Passion would bear. But when they learned of the salvation that grew from it, they called the proclamation of the Passion "good news" and eagerly offered it to all humanity. Those who believed, their minds now enlightened, received it with joy. They keep the feast in memory of the Passion and transform the moment of death into an occasion for celebration and festivity -- for the resurrection, bound so closely to the Passion, dissolves the sadness of death and becomes a pledge of the resurrection of all.
Having just now taken part in this celebration, we send you these tidings of the feast like some fragrant perfume, and greet your piety.
Letter 64
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Festal.
When the Master underwent the Passion of salvation for the sake of mankind, the company of the sacred Apostles was much disheartened, for they knew not clearly what was to be the Passion's fruit. But when they knew the salvation that grew therefrom, they called the proclamation of the Passion glad tidings, and eagerly offered it to all mankind. And they that believed, as being enlightened in mind, cheerfully received it, and keep the Feast in memory of the Passion, and make the moment of death an opportunity for entertainment and festivity. For the close connection with it of the resurrection does away with the sadness of death, and becomes a pledge for the resurrection of all. After just now taking part in this celebration, we send you these tidings of the feast as though they were some fragrant perfume, and salute your piety.
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From:Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrrhus
To:[unnamed recipients, a festal letter]
Date:~440 AD
Context:A brief Paschal letter connecting the disciples' initial bewilderment at the Crucifixion with their subsequent joy at the Resurrection.
Festal greeting.
When the Master endured the saving Passion for the sake of humanity, the company of the holy apostles was deeply shaken -- for they did not yet clearly understand what fruit the Passion would bear. But when they learned of the salvation that grew from it, they called the proclamation of the Passion "good news" and eagerly offered it to all humanity. Those who believed, their minds now enlightened, received it with joy. They keep the feast in memory of the Passion and transform the moment of death into an occasion for celebration and festivity -- for the resurrection, bound so closely to the Passion, dissolves the sadness of death and becomes a pledge of the resurrection of all.
Having just now taken part in this celebration, we send you these tidings of the feast like some fragrant perfume, and greet your piety.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.