To Theoctistus, Bishop of Beroea

Our Savior, Lawgiver and Lord was once asked, “What is the first commandment?” He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” And he added, “This is the first commandment, and the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Then he said further, “On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” [a]

So whoever keeps these, by the Lord’s own definition, plainly fulfills the Law, and whoever breaks them is guilty of breaking the whole Law. Let us then examine, before the exact and righteous court of our conscience, whether we have fulfilled the divine commandments. The first is kept by the one who guards the faith given by God whole and unharmed, who loathes its attackers as enemies of the truth, and who hates with all his heart all who hate the beloved. The second is kept by the one who values the care of his neighbor most highly, and who keeps the laws of friendship not only in good times but also in what look like misfortunes. On the other hand, those who look after their own safety, as they suppose, who for its sake make light of the laws of friendship and pay no attention to their friends when they are assaulted and attacked, are counted among the wicked and among those outside. The Lord of all asks better things of his disciples. “Love your enemies,” he says, “for if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Even the sinners and the tax collectors do this.” Yet I have not received even such kindness as tax collectors receive. Tax collectors, do I say? I have not even received the comfort given to murderers and sorcerers in their dungeons. If everyone had imitated this cruelty, nothing else would have been left for me in my lifetime but to waste away from want, and at my death, instead of being laid in a tomb, to be made food for dogs and wild beasts. But I have found support in those who care nothing for this present life but wait to enjoy everlasting blessings, and they give me comfort of many kinds. But the loving Lord “caused judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared and was still, when God arose to judgment.” But the wicked will perish. The falsehood of the new heresy has been condemned by public decree, and the truth of the divine Gospels is openly proclaimed. For my part I cry out with the blessed David, “Blessed be the Lord God, who alone does wondrous things, and blessed be his glorious name; and let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and amen.” [c]