To Aquilinus, Deacon and Archimandrite, on Being Left Fatherless

No one who has received the divine adoption weeps at being orphaned. What guardian care can be more powerful than that of our Father who is on high? It is because of him that fathers on earth are fathers. By his will some are made fathers by nature, and some by grace. So let us hold fast to him, and keep alive the memory of those who have died. For we will be the better for remembering those who have lived well, since it stirs us to imitate them. [a]