Ep. CXXI.

We rejoice in the tokens of love, and especially at such a season, and from one at once so young a man, and so perfect; and, to greet you with the words of Scripture, stablished in your youth,68    Ps. cxliv. 2. for so it calls him who is more advanced in wisdom than his years lead us to expect.  The old Fathers prayed for the dew of heaven and fatness of the earth69    Gen. xxvii. 28. and other such things for their children, though perhaps some may understand these things in a higher sense; but we will give you back all in a spiritual sense.  The Lord fulfil all thy requests,70    Ps. xx. 7. and mayest thou be the father of such children71    It seems clear, as Benoît remarks, that this expression refers to Spiritual fatherhood.  Theodore does not appear to have been married. (if I may pray for you concisely and intimately) as you yourself have shewn yourself to your own parents, so that we, as well as every one else, may be glorified concerning you.

[121] ΘΕΟΔΩΡΩΙ

Ἀγάπης συμβόλοις ἡδόμεθα, καὶ μάλιστα καιροῦ τοιούτου καὶ παρὰ τοιούτου νεοπαγοῦς τε ὁμοῦ καὶ τελείου, καί, ἵνα σε τοῖς ἀπὸ τῆς Γραφῆς δεξιώσωμαι, « ἱδρυμένου ἐν τῇ νεότητι »: οὕτω γὰρ ἐκείνη καλεῖ τὸ πλεῖον ἐν συνέσει τῆς ἡλικίας. Οἱ μὲν οὖν παλαιοὶ πατέρες « δρόσον οὐρανοῦ καὶ πιότητα γῆς » μετὰ τῶν ἄλλων ἐπηύχοντο τοῖς παισὶν (εἰ μή τῳ φίλον καὶ ταῦτα νοεῖν ὑψηλότερον), ἡμεῖς δέ σοι τὸ πᾶν πνευματικῶς ἀντιδώσομεν: « Πληρώσαι Κύριος πάντα τὰ αἰτήματά σου », καὶ γένοιο τοιούτων τέκνων πατὴρ (εἰ δεῖ σοι συντόμως καὶ οἰκείως ἐπεύξασθαι) οἷον σεαυτὸν ὑποφαίνεις τοῖς σοῖς πατράσιν, ὡς ἂν τά τε ἄλλα καὶ ἡμεῖς ἐπὶ σοὶ δοξαζοίμεθα.