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

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To the Presbyter Dorotheus.<br />

Letter CCXV. 2821<br />

I took the earliest opportunity of writing to the most admirable Count Terentius,<br />

thinking it better to write to him on the subject in h<strong>and</strong> by means of strangers, <strong>and</strong> being<br />

anxious that our very dear brother Acacius shall not be inconvenienced by any delay. I have<br />

therefore given my letter to the government treasurer, who is travelling by the imperial post,<br />

<strong>and</strong> I have charged him to shew the letter to you first. I cannot underst<strong>and</strong> how it is that<br />

no one has told you that the road to Rome is wholly impracticable in winter, the country<br />

between Constantinople <strong>and</strong> our own regions being full of enemies. If the route by sea must<br />

be taken, the season will be favourable; if indeed my God-beloved brother Gregory 2822<br />

consents to the voyage <strong>and</strong> to the commission concerning these matters. For my own part,<br />

I do not know who can go with him, <strong>and</strong> am aware that he is quite inexperienced in ecclesiastical<br />

affairs. With a man of kindly character he may get on very well, <strong>and</strong> be treated with<br />

respect, but what possible good could accrue to the cause by communication between a man<br />

proud <strong>and</strong> exalted, <strong>and</strong> therefore quite unable to hear those who preach the truth to him<br />

from a lower st<strong>and</strong>point, <strong>and</strong> a man like my brother, to whom anything like mean servility<br />

is unknown?<br />

2821 Placed in 375.<br />

2822 i.e. of Nyssa, an unsuitable envoy to Damascus.<br />

To the Presbyter Dorotheus.<br />

719<br />

255

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