Festal Letters — Letter 27

One of the Easter letters the Pope of Alexandria sent each year to the churches of Egypt, announcing the date of the Fast and of Pascha.

Source: Translated by R. Payne-Smith. From Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series , Vol. 4. Edited by Philip Schaff and Henry Wace. ( Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1892. ) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight. <https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/2806027.htm>.

Opening

From the twenty-seventh Festal Letter of Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria and Confessor, which begins with the words, "Again the season of the day of the living Passover."

(For 355.) From the twenty-seventh Festal Letter of Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria and Confessor; of which the commencement is, 'Again the season of the day of the living Passover. '

Our joy and boast is none other than our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who suffered for us and through Himself revealed the Father to us. For He is the same one who spoke long ago through the prophets, and now He says to everyone, "I who speak am near." This word is rightly spoken, for He does not sometimes speak and at other times remain silent. Instead, He continuously and always—from the beginning without stopping—lifts up every person and speaks to every person in their heart.

For who is our joy and boast, but our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, Who suffered for us, and by Himself made known to us the Father? For He is no other than He Who of old time spoke by the Prophets; but now He says to every man, 'I Who speak am near John 4:26.' Right well is this word spoken, for He does not at one time speak, at another keep silence; but continually and at all times, from the beginning without ceasing, He raises up every man, and speaks to every man in his heart.


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