Letters — Letter 37 — To Sophronius, Prefect of Constantinople

Letter 37 — To Sophronius, Prefect of Constantinople

Source: Translated by Charles Gordon Browne and James Edward Swallow. From Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series , Vol. 7. Edited by Philip Schaff and Henry Wace. ( Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1894. ) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight. <https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3103c.htm>.

(A letter of recommendation for Eudoxius a Rhetorician for whom Gregory had a warm regard.)

To honor a mother is a religious duty. Now, different people have different mothers, but the common mother of everyone is our country. You have honored this mother through the splendor of your entire life, and you will honor her again now by granting what I ask. And what am I requesting? You certainly know Eudoxius the Rhetorician, the most learned of her sons. His son—to put it briefly—is another Eudoxius in both life and learning, and now comes to you through me. Therefore, to gain an even better reputation for yourself, help him with the matters for which he seeks your assistance. For it would be shameful if you, who are the universal patron of our country and who have done good to so many—and I will add, who will continue to do so—should fail to honor above all the one who is most excellent in learning and eloquence, which you ought to honor if for no other reason than because he uses it to praise your goodness.

To honour a mother is a religious duty. Now, different individuals have different mothers; but the common mother of all is our country. This mother you have honoured by the splendour of your whole life; and you will honour her again now by obtaining for me that which I entreat. And what is my request? You certainly know Eudoxius the Rhetorician, the most learned of her sons. His son, to speak concisely, another Eudoxius both in life and learning, now approaches you through me. In order then to get yourself a yet better name, be helpful to him in the matters for which he asks your assistance. For it were a shame were you, who are the universal Patron of our Country, and who have done good to so many, and I will add, who will yet continue to do so, should not honour above all him who is most excellent in learning and in his eloquence, which you ought to honour, if for no other reason, because he uses it to praise your goodness.