Opening
Letter to the Presbyter Palladius.
Letter to the Presbyter Palladius.
To our beloved son Palladius, presbyter, Bishop Athanasius sends greetings in the Lord.
To our beloved son Palladius, presbyter, Athanasius the Bishop greeting in the Lord.
I was delighted to receive your personal letter, especially because it expresses orthodox belief, just as you always do. I had already learned some time ago—not recently—the reason why you are currently staying with our beloved Innocent, and I am pleased with your devotion. Since you are doing what you are doing, please write and let me know how the brothers there are faring, and what the enemies of the truth are thinking about us. You also told me about the monks at Caesarea, and I have learned from our beloved Dianius that they are troubled and are opposing our beloved bishop Basil. I am glad you informed me, and I have pointed out to them what is proper: namely, that as children they should obey their father and not oppose what he approves. If he were suspected regarding the truth, they would be right to fight against him. But if they are confident, as all of us are, that he is a glory to the Church, contending instead on behalf of the truth and teaching those who need it, it is not right to fight against such a man, but rather to accept his good conscience with gratitude. From what the beloved Dianius has reported, they seem to be troubled without cause. For he, as I am confident, becomes weak to the weak in order to win the weak. But let our beloved friends look at the aim of his truth and at his particular purpose, and glorify the Lord who has given Cappadocia such a bishop as any region must pray to have. And you, beloved, please be so kind as to point out to them the duty of obedience, as I am writing. For this will both make them well disposed toward their father and will preserve peace in the churches. I pray that you may be well in the Lord, beloved son.
I was glad to receive also the letter written by you alone, the more so that you breathe orthodoxy in it, as is your wont. And having learned not for the first time, but long ago, the reason of your staying at present with our beloved Innocent, I am pleased with your piety. Since then you are acting as you are, write and let me know how are the brethren there, and what the enemies of the truth think about us. But whereas you have also told me of the monks at Cæsarea, and I have learned from our beloved Dianius that they are vexed, and are opposing our beloved bishop Basil, I am glad you have informed me, and I have pointed out to them what is fitting, namely that as children they should obey their father, and not oppose what he approves. For if he were suspected as touching the truth, they would do well to combat him. But if they are confident, as we all are, that he is a glory to the Church, contending rather on behalf of the truth and teaching those who require it, it is not right to combat such an one, but rather to accept with thanks his good conscience. For from what the beloved Dianius has related, they appear to be vexed without cause. For he, as I am confident, to the weak becomes weak to gain the weak. 1 Corinthians 9:22 But let our beloved friends look at the scope of his truth, and at his special purpose, and glorify the Lord Who has given such a bishop to Cappadocia as any district must pray to have. And do you, beloved, be good enough to point out to them the duty of obeying, as I write. For this is at once calculated to render them well disposed toward their father, and will preserve peace to the churches. I pray that you may be well in the Lord, beloved son.