To Timothy of Alexandria, on His Election

Leo the bishop to Timothy, catholic bishop of the church of Alexandria. [a]

The bright saying the apostle quotes makes it plain that “all things work together for good for those who love God,” and that by the arrangement of God’s mercy, where adversities are accepted, there prosperity is also given. The experience of the church of Alexandria shows this. There the restraint and long-suffering of the humble have laid up a great store for them in return for their patience, because “the Lord is near those who are of a crushed heart, and will save those who are humble in spirit.” In all this the faith of our noble prince is glorified, through whom “the right hand of the Lord has done mighty deeds,” in stopping that abomination of antichrist from occupying the throne of the blessed fathers any longer. His blasphemy has hurt no one more than himself, because, although he has led some to become partners in his guilt, he has stained himself with blood beyond any atoning. So, concerning what your election, brother, by the clergy, the laity and all the faithful, has brought about under the guidance of faith, I assure you that the whole church of the Lord rejoices with me. It is my earnest desire that the divine mercy, in its loving-kindness, will confirm this joy with many signs of grace, with your own devotion serving it in everything. May you diligently win over, through the church’s prayers, even those who have so far resisted the truth, to be reconciled with God. And as a zealous ruler, may you bring them into union with the mystical body of the catholic faith, whose wholeness allows no division, imitating that true and gentle Shepherd who laid down his life for his sheep, and who, when one sheep wandered, did not drive it back with the whip, but carried it back to the fold on his own shoulders. [b]

Take care, then, dearly beloved brother, that no trace of the error of either Nestorius or Eutyches is found among God’s people. For “no one can lay any foundation except the one that is laid, which is Christ Jesus.” He would not have reconciled the whole world to God the Father, had he not, by the rebirth of faith, adopted us all in the reality of our flesh. So whenever opportunities arise that you can use for writing, brother, act as you have done, of necessity and according to custom, in sending us a report of your ordination by our sons Daniel the presbyter and Timothy the deacon. Continue to do so at all times, and send us, who will be eager for them, the most frequent accounts you can of the progress of peace, so that through regular contact we may feel that “the love of God is poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” Dated the 18th of August, in the consulship of Magnus and Apollonius (in the year 460). [c]