Theodoret of Cyrrhus → Dioscorus, of Alexandria

To Dioscorus, Bishop of Alexandria [the patriarch of the most powerful see in the eastern church after Constantinople],

Among the many virtues we hear adorn your holiness -- for the fame of your glory fills every ear and flies in every direction -- men unanimously single out your modesty for special praise. This is a virtue our Lord set himself as the example of in his teaching: "Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart" [Matthew 11:29]. For though God is exalted -- indeed, the Most High -- he honored the meek and lowly spirit when he took on human flesh.

Looking to him, my lord, you do not fix your gaze on the multitude of your subjects or the height of your throne. Instead you see human nature itself, with all its swift reversals, and you follow the divine laws whose observance wins us the kingdom of heaven.

Hearing of this modesty, I take courage to greet in this letter one who is sacred and dear to God, and I offer prayers whose fruit is salvation. The occasion for writing is provided by the deeply devout presbyter Eusebius. When I learned of his journey to Alexandria, I immediately wrote this letter to ask your holiness to support us with your prayers, and to gladden us with a reply -- sending to us who are hungry the blessed banquet of your words.