Theodoret of Cyrrhus → Senator, Abbot

To Senator the Patrician.

I hold an indelible memory of your Magnificence in my heart, and I greet you now through these most devout and holy bishops. The most holy lord Bishop Domnus has arranged for them to travel to the imperial city in order to put an end to the false charges that have been raised against me. For certain men have constructed obvious slanders against me and have deeply disturbed the churches — those churches for whose sake the Lord Christ endured the cross, despising its shame; for whose sake the band of the divine apostles and companies of victorious martyrs were delivered to every kind of death. On behalf of their peace I call on your Magnificence to contend.

It would have been easy for the God of all to nod his head and scatter the lowering clouds. But he waits, and in waiting he both displays the endurance of those under attack and gives us the opportunity of doing good.