Nicene and Post-Nicene Church Fathers Series 2 - The Still Small ...

out on a separate paper, which we can fasten on to the letter which is being carried about
by our brother and fellow presbyter. As I did not find in the minute anything conclusive,
I was in a difficulty on what point to write to the Westerns. Necessary points are anticipated,
and it is useless to write what is superfluous, and on such points would it not be ridiculous
to show feeling? One subject, however, did appear to me to be hitherto untouched, and to
suggest a reason for writing, and that was an exhortation to them not indiscriminately to
accept the communion of men coming from the East; but, after once choosing one side, to
receive the rest on the testimony of their fellows, and not to assent to every one writing a
form of creed on the pretext of orthodoxy. If they do so, they will be found in communion
with men at war with one another, who often put forward the same formulæ, and yet battle
vehemently against one another, as those who are most widely separated. To the end, then,
that the heresy may not be the more widely kindled, while those who are at variance with
one another mutually object to their own formulæ, they ought to be exhorted to make a
distinction between the acts of communion which are brought them by chance comers, and
those which are duly drawn up according to the rule of the Church. 2429
2429 The Ben. note adduces this letter and Letter ccxxiv. as shewing two kinds of communion, (1) Personal
in the Eucharist and prayer, and (2) by letter.
To Meletius Bishop of Antioch.
573