By the letters of your love, and by the discourse of our brothers and fellow-bishops Domitian and Germinian, I have learned that Timothy, after he was expelled from the Church of the city of Alexandria, was permitted to come to Constantinople—certain adversaries of the faith bringing this about—so that, as far as can be understood, since he was constrained by the sentences of all the Lord's priests, he might at least unwillingly convert himself to the catholic doctrine, and, as though he seemed ejected only for this cause, might, the error of heretical perversity being condemned, acquiesce to the apostolic teaching, so as to return to Alexandria;
whereas, even if he were proved catholic, this vehemently stands against him, that while the bishop was living he was the invader of so great a see, and appeared the author of unheard-of cruelty committed. And therefore your love, with the solicitude for which you are renowned, ought to strive and labor that no discourse be mingled with so wicked a man either privately or publicly, nor, under the appearance of his correction, an occasion be afforded for the assembly of certain persons; lest he obtain full liberty of returning—concerning whom the most Christian prince has already judged by his edicts.
With all labor therefore and ever-watchful circumspection strive, most dear brother, to profit the ecclesiastical unity, so that hope may be taken away from his supporters, and a catholic bishop from its own clergy may be consecrated for the Alexandrians according to the ancient custom by orthodox Egyptians: for that parricide will not otherwise be abandoned by his defenders, unless the Alexandrian Church—which must be restored to the honor of the Fathers and to its own liberty—shall have obtained a most approved ruler for healing all the things that have been ill done. Given the fifteenth of the Kalends of July, Magnus and Apollonius being consuls. By Philoxenus, agent in affairs. Chapter I. It evidently appears, under the splendor of the apostolic sentence, that to those who love God all things work together unto good (Rom.
8:28); and by the dispensation of divine piety, where adversities are received, there also prosperities are granted. This the experiences of the Alexandrian Church demonstrate, in which the modesty and endurance of the humble has gathered for itself many treasures of patience: because the Lord is near to those who are of a troubled heart, and he will save the humble in spirit (Ps. 33:19); glorified in all things by the faith of the renowned prince, through whom the right hand of the Lord has done valiantly (Ps. 117:16), that the reproach of Antichrist might no longer sit upon the throne of the blessed Fathers: whose impiety harmed no one more than himself: because although he impelled some to the fellowship of the crime, yet he inexpiably bloodied himself.
Hence, concerning that which the election—by the instinct of faith in your brotherhood of clergy and people and of all the faithful—has carried out, I write back that the whole Church of the Lord rejoices with me, and I earnestly wish that the kindness of divine piety may confirm this with multiplied grace; so that, with your devotion serving in all things, you may earnestly win over even those who to some extent resisted the truth, to be reconciled to God through the prayers of the Church, and, as a solicitous ruler, may join them to the sacrament of the catholic faith, whose solidity admits no division: imitating that true and pious Shepherd, who laid down his soul for his sheep (John 10:11), and coerced not the one wandering sheep with scourges, but carried it back to its own fold on his own shoulders (Luke 15:5). Chapter II.
Let your love therefore act, most dear brother, that no vestige either of the Nestorian dogma or of the Eutychian error may be able to be found in the people of God: because no one can lay a foundation besides that which is laid, which is Christ Jesus (1 Cor. 3:11): who would not reconcile the whole world to God the Father, unless through the regeneration of faith he received all in the truth of our flesh. When therefore the opportunities of writing which your brotherhood may use have arisen—as you have necessarily and by custom done, in that through our sons Daniel the presbyter and Timothy the deacon you directed to us the writings of your ordination—so at every time may you persevere in this duty, and concerning the
advances of peace, let indications be sent often, as much as is possible, to our solicitude, so that through mutual conversations we may perceive that the charity of God has been poured forth in our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us (Rom. 5:5). Given the fifteenth of the Kalends of September, Magnus and Apollonius being consuls.