Letter 76

From: Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrrhus To: Uranius, Governor of Cyprus Date: ~440 AD Context: Theodoret writes to a pagan governor he admires, celebrating news that Uranius may be moving toward the Christian faith and using the metaphor of Christ as a divine fisherman who catches souls for life rather than death. To Uranius, Governor of Cyprus, True friendship is strengthened by contact, but separation cannot sever it -- its bonds are too strong. This truth could be demonstrated by many examples, but it is enough to prove it from our own case. Many things stand between you and me -- mountains, cities, the sea -- yet none of them has destroyed my memory of your excellency. The moment anyone arrives from the coastal towns, our conversation turns to Cyprus and its worthy governor, and we are delighted to hear of your high reputation. Lately we have been pleased beyond our usual measure, for we have learned the most welcome news of all. What, most excellent sir, could please us more than to see your noble soul illuminated by the light of divine knowledge? We have always thought it fitting that a man adorned with so many virtues should add the crown to them all, and we trust that we shall see our hope fulfilled. For your nobility will surely seize this God-given treasure eagerly, moved by true friends who understand its value, and guided toward the generous God "who wills all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" [1 Timothy 2:4]. God catches men through human means, and brings his captives to the ageless life. A fisherman deprives his catch of life, but our divine Fisher frees all he catches from the painful bonds of death. For this reason he appeared on earth and lived among us -- bringing life to humanity, conveying his teaching through his visible manhood, and giving to rational beings the law of a fitting life and conduct.

Letter 76 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 Uranius, Governor of Cyprus. True friendship is strengthened by intercourse, but separation cannot sunder it, for its bonds are strong. This truth might easily be shown by many other examples, but it is enough for us to verify what I say by our own case. Between me and you are indeed many things, mountains, cities, and the sea, yet nothing has destroyed my recollection of your excellency. No sooner do we behold any one arriving from those towns which lie on the coast, than the conversation is turned on Cyprus and on its right worthy governor, and we are delighted to have tidings of your high repute. And lately we have been gratified to an unusual degree at learning the most delightful news of all: for what, most excellent sir, can be more pleasing to us than to see your noble soul illuminated by the light of knowledge? For we think it right that he who is adorned with many kinds of virtue should add to them also its colophon, and we believe that we shall behold what we desire. For your nobility will doubtless eagerly seize the God-given boon, moved thereto by true friends who clearly understand its value, and guided to the bountiful God Who wills all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth, netting men by men's means to salvation, and bringing them that He captures to the ageless life. The fisherman indeed deprives his prey of life, but our Fisher frees all that He takes alive from death's painful bonds, and therefore did he show himself upon earth, and conversed with men, bringing men His life, conveying teaching by means of the visible manhood, and giving to reasonable beings the law of a suitable life and conversation. This law He has confirmed by miracles, and by the death of the flesh has destroyed death. By raising the flesh He has given the promise of resurrection to us all, after giving the resurrection of His own precious body as a worthy pledge of ours. So loved He men even when they hated Him that the mystery of the œconomy fails to obtain credence with some on account of the very bitterness of His sufferings, and it is enough to show the depths of His loving kindness that He is even yet day by day calling to men who do not believe. And He does so not as though He were in need of the service of men — for of what is the Creator of the universe in want?— but because He thirsts for the salvation of every man. Grasp then, my excellent friend, His gift; sing praises to the Giver, and procure for us a very great and right goodly feast.