To Dioscorus, Bishop of Alexandria, on His Humility

Among the many forms of virtue that we hear adorn your holiness (for the fame of your glory flies in every direction and fills everyone’s ears), special praise is given with one voice to your modesty. Our Lord in his law gave himself as the example of it, saying, “Learn from me, for I am meek and humble in heart.” For though God is high, or rather most high, at his incarnation he honored the meek and humble spirit. [a]

Looking to him, then, sir, you do not look at the multitude of those under you or at the height of your throne. Rather you look at human nature and at the swift changes of life, and you follow the divine laws whose keeping gives us the kingdom of heaven. Hearing of this modesty in your holiness, I take courage to greet by letter a person sacred and dear to God, and I offer prayers whose fruit is salvation. The very devout presbyter Eusebius gives me the occasion to write. When I heard of his journey to you, I at once wrote this letter, to ask your holiness to support us with your prayers, and by your reply to give us a spiritual feast, sending to us who are hungry the blessed banquet of your words.