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

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To Peter, bishop of Alex<strong>and</strong>ria. 2441<br />

Letter CXXXIII.<br />

<strong>The</strong> sight of the eyes brings about bodily friendship, <strong>and</strong> long companionship strengthens<br />

it, but genuine regard is the gift of the Spirit, Who unites what is separated by long distances,<br />

<strong>and</strong> makes friends known to one another, not by bodily qualities, but by the characteristics<br />

of the soul. <strong>The</strong> grace of the Lord has granted me this favour, by permitting me to see you<br />

with the soul’s eye, <strong>and</strong> to embrace you with genuine affection, <strong>and</strong> as it were, to be drawn<br />

very near to you, <strong>and</strong> to come into close union with you in the communion of faith. I am<br />

sure that you, disciple as you are of so great a man, <strong>and</strong> long associated with him, will walk<br />

in the same spirit <strong>and</strong> follow the same doctrines of true religion. Under these circumstances<br />

I address your excellency, <strong>and</strong> beseech you that among the other things in which you have<br />

succeeded that great man, you will succeed him in love to me, that you will frequently write<br />

me news of you, <strong>and</strong> will give heed to the brotherhood all over the world with the same affection<br />

<strong>and</strong> the same zeal which that most blessed man always showed to all that love God<br />

in truth.<br />

2441 Peter II. succeeded Athanasius in May, 373. Athanasius died May 2.<br />

To Peter, bishop of Alex<strong>and</strong>ria.<br />

579

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