Resultados25 letters/passages
leo_great · c. 447 · score 0.02
For this reason, we pray your clemency to oppose such disturbances with the Truth, and to order the Faith of the Catholic religion to be preserved without stain. We ask that, in accordance with the standard and decision of the Apostolic See — which we likewise revere as preeminent — Flavian may remain completely unharm …
ambrose_milan · c. 388 · score 0.02
Ambrose, Bishop, to the most merciful prince and most blessed Emperor Theodosius. I am constantly burdened with cares, most blessed Emperor, but I have never been in such distress as now. I see that I must take every precaution against anything that might be charged to me as approaching sacrilege. I beg you: hear me wi …
ambrose_milan · c. 393 · score 0.02
3. What, then, could I do? Should I not hear? But I could not close my ears with the wax of ancient fables. Should I speak what I heard? But I was forced to guard my words against the very thing I feared from your commands — that some act of bloodshed would be carried out. Should I keep silent? But then my conscience w …
ambrose_milan · c. 388 · score 0.02
Punish the rioters if justice demands it — but do not compel a Christian bishop to build a synagogue. That is not justice. That is a triumph of those who deny Christ over those who confess him. If you will not hear me as a counselor, hear me at least as an intercessor. I would rather owe you gratitude for mercy than be …
ambrose_milan · c. 390 · score 0.02
Ambrose, Bishop, to the most august Emperor Theodosius. The memory of our long friendship is sweet to me, and I gratefully recall the many kindnesses you have shown to those on whose behalf I interceded. You may be confident, then, that it is no ungrateful spirit that has made me avoid your arrival — an arrival that wa …
ambrose_milan · c. 381 · score 0.02
To the most blessed Emperor and most merciful prince Theodosius — Ambrose and the other bishops of Italy. The report of your faith, spread throughout the whole world, has stirred deep affection in our hearts. Because we desired this glory too for your reign — that you might be seen to have restored unity to both the We …
leo_great · c. 447 · score 0.01
From Galla Placidia Augusta [mother of Emperor Valentinian III, and effective ruler of the Western Roman Empire] to Theodosius [Emperor Theodosius II of the Eastern Empire]. To the Lord Theodosius, Conqueror and Emperor, her ever august son — Galla Placidia, most pious and prosperous, perpetual Augusta and mother. When …
ambrose_milan · c. 393 · score 0.01
For the one is a sign of humility, the other of contempt. For the Word of God Himself tells us that He prefers obedience to His commandments over the offering of sacrifice. God proclaims this, Moses declares it to the people, Paul preaches it to the Gentiles. Do what you understand to be most beneficial for the present …
ambrose_milan · c. 393 · score 0.01
… hing is hidden that will not be made known" (Luke 8:17). So I complied with the imperial will as respectfully as I could, taking care that you would have no reason for displeasure when I arranged that nothing of the imperial decrees would be reported to me. When present, I would either fail to hear — because everyone e …
ambrose_milan · c. 393 · score 0.01
I dare not offer the sacrifice [the Eucharist] if you intend to be present. Is what is not permitted after shedding the blood of one innocent person, permitted after shedding the blood of many? I do not think so. 14. Finally, I am writing with my own hand what only you may read. As I hope that the Lord will deliver me …
ambrose_milan · c. 388 · score 0.01
… is called the will of God. When Jews suffer, it is called an outrage requiring imperial intervention. Consider Julian the Apostate. He ordered the Jews to rebuild their temple in Jerusalem. What happened? Fire burst from the foundations and consumed the workers. Even the elements refused to cooperate. Shall a Christia …
ambrose_milan · c. 390 · score 0.01
… n said, "You are the man" [2 Samuel 12:7]. David did not rage. He did not claim imperial privilege. He said, "I have sinned against the Lord." And he did penance. I ask you to follow David's example. Not because I wish to humiliate you — God knows that is the last thing I want. But because the sacrifice God requires is …
ambrose_milan · c. 393 · score 0.01
And David too, when he held the kingdom and heard that innocent Abner had been killed by Joab, his army commander, said: "I am guiltless, and my kingdom is guiltless from this day forward of the blood of Abner, son of Ner," and he fasted in grief. 11. I have written this not to humiliate you, but so that the examples o …
ambrose_milan · c. 392 · score 0.01
Ambrose, Bishop, to the Emperor Theodosius. My silence was broken by the words of your Clemency. Until now, in the face of such sorrow, I had resolved to do nothing better, if I could manage it, than hide myself away. Since I could not withdraw from the world or resign my bishopric, I hid within silence. I grieve — I c …
chrysostom · c. 405 · score 0.01
But the science which you have is superior to every kind of storm — the power of a philosophic soul— which is stronger than ten thousand armies, more powerful than arms, and more secure than towers and bulwarks. For the arms, and bulwarks, and towers which soldiers have, are serviceable for the security of the body onl …
chrysostom · c. 405 · score 0.01
To Olympias Do not be anxious on my behalf, nor rack yourself with solicitude, on account of the severity of the winter, and the weakness of my digestion, and the incursions of the Isaurians. For the winter is only what it is wont to be in Armenia; nothing more need be said about it; and it does not very seriously inju …
chrysostom · c. 405 · score 0.01
Isaiah 40:6 2. Nevertheless, you will say, adversity is a terrible thing and grievous to be borne. Yet look at it again compared with another image and then also learn to despise it. For the railings, and insults, and reproaches, and gibes inflicted by enemies, and their plots are compared to a worn-out garment, and mo …
chrysostom · c. 405 · score 0.01
For since he had been an enemy and adversary what he wrote was above suspicion even in the opinion of enemies. 3. Do you see the abundance of resource belonging to God? His wisdom, His extraordinary power, His loving-kindness and care? Be not therefore dismayed or troubled but continue to give thanks to God for all thi …
ambrose_milan · c. 393 · score 0.01
Yet I would rather have died than not wait two or three days for your arrival. But it was not possible for me to do so. 6. What was done in the city of Thessalonica [the massacre of approximately 7,000 people in the hippodrome in retaliation for the murder of the Gothic military commander Butheric] has no parallel in r …
chrysostom · c. 405 · score 0.01
It follows therefore that you should deem this the greatest encouragement, and the crown of your consolation. Do not call your household desolate, which has now a higher place assigned to it in Heaven by reason of the sufferings which it endures. I was grievously distressed on account of Pelagius the monk. Consider the …
chrysostom · c. 405 · score 0.01
For what is there grievous in inhabiting a prison and wearing a chain? Or in being ill-treated when it is the occasion of so much gain? Or why should exile be grievous or confiscation of goods? These are mere words, destitute of any terrible reality, words void of sorrow. For if you speak of death you only mention that …
chrysostom · c. 405 · score 0.01
Letters to Olympias The deaconess Olympias to whom seventeen of Chrysostom's extant letters are addressed was the most eminent of his female friends. She belonged to a Pagan family of high rank, and was born about 368. Her father Seleucus who was a count of the Empire died when she was a young girl and she was brought …
chrysostom · c. 405 · score 0.01
For as that poor woman when she had cast two mites into the treasury surpassed all those who had cast in more, because she used up her whole substance: even so they who devote themselves to the work in hand with all their might discharge it completely, so far as they are concerned, even if nothing results from it, and …
chrysostom · c. 405 · score 0.01
And the wonder is that without thrusting yourself into the forum, or occupying the public centres of the city, but sitting all the while in a small house and confined chamber you serve and anoint the combatants for the contest, and while the sea is thus raging round you, and the billows are rising to a crest, and crags …
ambrose_milan · c. 392 · score 0.01
Shall I think him truly dead to me? No — he is more dead to me than to anyone, because I had more reason than anyone to rejoice in his transformation. I was giving thanks to God daily for the change in him. I was giving thanks to your Clemency for having formed him in the disciplines of your own faith and piety. And no …