Theodoret of Cyrrhus, Letters 110.40.20-42.8
https://caesarea-maritima.org/testimonia/477
Context
Theodoret served as bishop of Cyrrhus in northwestern Syria in 423-457
C.E. Following his wide education in both the Christian and the Greek traditions and a
brief monastic devotion, he became a vigorous leader of his diocese, distinguished by
his philanthropy, and a prominent theologian, particularly in opposition to Cyril of
Alexandria as a persistent defender of Nestorius. He was a prolific writer, and his many
extant works include exegesis, ecclesiastical history, and Christological treatises.
Hundreds of letters written by Theodoret on a variety of topics also survive. In this
letter addressed to Domnus, Bishop of Antioch, probably from spring of 448, he cites the
ordination of Domninus as bishop of Caesarea despite his second marriage.
Text
Εἰς δὲ τὸ τῆς διγαμίας, τοῖς πρὸ ἡμῶν ἠκολουθήσαμεν. Καὶ γὰρ ὁ τῆς
μακαρίας καὶ ὁσίας μνήμης Ἀλέξανδρος, ὁ τὸν ἀποστολικὸν τοῦτον διακοσμήσας θρόνον, σὺν
τῷ μακαριωτάτῳ Ἀκακίῳ τῷ Βεροίας ἐπισκόπῳ, τὸν τῆς μακαρίας μνήμης Διογένην
ἐχειροτόνησαν δίγαμον ὄντα· ὡσαύτως δὲ καὶ ὁ μακάριος Πραύλιος Δομνῖνον τὸν
Καισαρείας δίγαμον ὄντα. Ἔθει τοίνυν ἠκολουθήσαμεν, καὶ
ἀνδράσιν ἐπισήμοις καὶ ἐπὶ γνώσει καὶ βίῳ πολυθρυλήτοις. Πολλὰ δὲ καὶ ἄλλα τοιαῦτα
δεδιδαγμένος ὁ τῆς μακαρίας μνήμης Πρόκλος, ὁ τῆς Κωνσταντινουπολιτῶν ἐπίσκοπος, καὶ
αὐτὸς τὴν χειροτονίαν ἐδέξατο, καὶ ἔγραψεν ἐπαινῶν καὶ θαυμάζων. Ὡσαύτως δὲ καὶ οἱ
πρωτεύοντες τῆς Ποντικῆς διοικήσεως θεοφιλέστατοι ἐπίσκοποι, καὶ οἱ Παλαιστῖνοι πάντες,
καὶ οὐδεμία ἀμφιβολία περὶ τούτου γεγένηται· καὶ δυσσεβὲς νομίζομεν τὸ κατακρῖναι ἄνδρα
πολλοῖς καὶ παντοδαποῖς κατορθώμασι λαμπρυνόμενον.1
Textual Note
Ed. Azéma 1965Translation
As to the question of digamy, I have followed my predecessors; for
Alexander of blessed and sacred memory, the ornament of this apostolic see, as well as
the very blessed Acacius bishop of Beroea, ordained Diogenes of blessed memory, who was
digamos. And likewise the blessed Praylius ordained Domninus of
Caesarea who was digamos. We have therefore followed precedent, and
the example of men well known and illustrious both for learning and character. Proclus,
bishop of Constantinople, of blessed memory, well aware of this and many other
instances, both himself accepted the ordination and wrote in praise and admiration of
it. So too did the leading most loved-by-God bishops of the Pontic diocese and all the
Palestinians. “No doubt has been raised about the matter, and we hold it impious to
condemn a man illustrious for many and various noble actions.”2
Translation Note
Adapted from Jackson 1892 with ref. to Azéma 1965Works Cited
- 1 Theodoret of Cyrrhus, Correspondance III: Epistles, ed. Yvan Azéma, Sources chrétiennes 111 (Paris: Éditions du Cerf, 1965), letter: 110, p: 40.20-42.8.
- 2 Theodoret of Cyrrhus, Letters of the Blessed Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrus, in Theodoret, Jerome, Gennadius, & Rufinus: Historical Writings, trans. Blomfield Jackson, Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers. 2nd Series 3 (New York: Christian Literature Publishing, 1892), 250–348, p: 290.
How to Cite This Entry
Joseph L. Rife, “Theodoret of Cyrrhus, Letters 110.40.20-42.8,” in Caesarea Maritima: A Collection of Testimonia, entry published June 30, 2023, https://caesarea-maritima.org/testimonia/477.
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Bibliography:
Joseph L. Rife, “Theodoret of Cyrrhus, Letters 110.40.20-42.8.” In Caesarea Maritima: A Collection of Testimonia, edited by Joseph L. Rife., edited by Joseph L. Rife. Caesarea City and Port Exploration Project, 2023. Entry published June 30, 2023. https://caesarea-maritima.org/testimonia/477.About this Entry
Entry Title: Theodoret of Cyrrhus, Letters 110.40.20-42.8
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- Joseph L. Rife, general editor, Vanderbilt University
- Joseph L. Rife, editor, Caesarea Maritima: A Collection of Testimonia
- David A. Michelson, Daniel L. Schwartz, and William L. Potter, technical editor, “Theodoret of Cyrrhus, Letters 110.40.20-42.8”
- Joseph L. Rife, entry contributor, “Theodoret of Cyrrhus, Letters 110.40.20-42.8”
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- Testimonium edited by Joseph L. Rife
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- Testimonium translated by Joseph L. Rife
- Testimonium transcribed by Joseph L. Rife
- Testimonium identified by Joseph L. Rife
- Editorial review by Joseph L. Rife
- Testimonium edited by Joseph L. Rife
- TEI record created by Joseph L. Rife
- Testimonium translated by Joseph L. Rife
- Testimonium transcribed by Joseph L. Rife
- Testimonium identified by Joseph L. Rife
- Editorial review by Joseph L. Rife