Festal Letters — Letter 57

Source: Translated by Archibald Robertson. 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/2806057.htm>.

Opening

First Letter to Orsisius

And after spending a few days there, he said to Abbot Theodore, "Since Passover is near, visit the brothers as you usually do, and I will do as the Lord directs me." He embraced him and sent him on his way, having written a letter through him to Abbot Orsisius and the brothers, as follows:

' And having spent a few days there, he saith to the Abbat Theodorus: Since the Passover is near, visit the brethren after your manner; and as the Lord shall dispose me, I will do. And he embraced him, and sent him away, having written a letter by him to the Abbat Orsisius and the brethren, to the following effect:'–

I have seen your fellow-worker and father of the brethren, Theodorus, and in him I saw the master of our father Pachomius. I was filled with joy to see the sons of the Church, and their presence made me glad. But the Lord will reward them. When Theodorus was about to leave me to return to you, he said to me: Remember me. And I said to him: If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand be forgotten, yes let my tongue stick to my throat if I do not remember you.

I have seen your fellow-worker and father of the brethren, Theodorus, and in him the master of our father Pachomius. And I rejoiced to see the sons of the Church, and they made me glad by their presence. But the Lord is their recompenser. And as Theodorus was about to leave me for you, he said to me: Remember me. And I said to him: If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand be forgotten, yea let my tongue cleave to my throat if I remember you not.