Letters — Letter 121 — To Theodore, Bishop of Tyana

(This was written a little later as a letter of thanks for an Easter gift. Theodore had quite recently been made Archbishop of Tyana.)

(Written a little later, as a letter of thanks for an Easter gift. Theodore had quite recently been made Archbishop of Tyana.)

We rejoice in these tokens of love, especially at such a season and from someone at once so young and so perfect. To greet you with the words of Scripture, you are established in your youth, for this is what Scripture calls someone who is more advanced in wisdom than his years would lead us to expect. The old Fathers prayed for the dew of heaven and fatness of the earth and other such things for their children, though perhaps some may understand these things in a higher sense. But we will give you back all in a spiritual sense. May the Lord fulfill all your requests, and may you be the father of such children (if I may pray for you concisely and intimately) as you yourself have shown yourself to your own parents, so that we, as well as everyone else, may be glorified concerning you.

We rejoice in the tokens of love, and especially at such a season, and from one at once so young a man, and so perfect; and, to greet you with the words of Scripture, established in your youth, for so it calls him who is more advanced in wisdom than his years lead us to expect. The old Fathers prayed for the dew of heaven and fatness of the earth Genesis 27:28 and other such things for their children, though perhaps some may understand these things in a higher sense; but we will give you back all in a spiritual sense. The Lord fulfil all your requests, and may thou be the father of such children (if I may pray for you concisely and intimately) as you yourself have shown yourself to your own parents, so that we, as well as every one else, may be glorified concerning you.