Free English Translation
Letter of Lucifer, Pancratius, and Hilary to Eusebius of Vercelli
Epistola ad Eusebium Episcopum Vercellensem
~1 min read · by Lucifer, Pancratius, and Hilary
About Letter of Lucifer, Pancratius, and Hilary to Eusebius of Vercelli
This short joint letter comes from Lucifer, bishop of Cagliari, the presbyter Pancratius, and Hilarius, writing together to Eusebius, bishop of Vercelli, as legates of the apostolic see. They urge Eusebius not to delay but to hurry to his city, comparing his coming to the apostles' arrival that overthrew Simon, and rejoicing that with Valens driven out the party of the Arians will be broken and undone. Since reaching Vercelli themselves, they say, they have longed daily for his presence and pray the whole church will honor its restoration under his guidance. The letter closes with confidence in Christ's unconquerable passion and a blessing for Eusebius's continued honor.
By Lucifer, Pancratius, and Hilary. Collected in Patrologia Latina, Volume 13.
Letter of Our Holy Father Lucifer, Bishop of Cagliari, Pancratius the Presbyter, and Hilarius, Legates of the Apostolic See, to Eusebius, Bishop of Vercelli
To the most honourable lord Eusebius the Bishop, Lucifer Bishop, Pancratius Presbyter, and Hilarius. With the head of the devil and his wicked suggestions trampled underfoot, holy lord, we beg you not to neglect the grace granted to you by our Lord, but to be pleased to make haste, so that as quickly as possible, upon its onset, the dogma of the Arians may be put to flight. For the Lord, his Christ, knows that, just as at the coming of the most blessed Apostles the name of God is glorified in the ruin of Simon, so, with Valens expelled, at your coming the shattered engine of the blaspheming Arians may be destroyed and undone. We, most holy lord, from the first day on which we came to Vercelli, have desired your reverence even until this day, and we pray the Lord that in this Church all the saints may praise its perpetual restoration, and follow your spiritual virtue with due praise.
This we believe will come to pass, since we are confident that the Saviour's passion cannot be overcome. May Christ the Lord preserve you glorious, most holy and most blessed one.
Free to read, funded by readers.
You just read this work in full, at no cost. Translating classic Christian writing into clear English takes real time, and it is readers who make it possible and keep it free. If it was worth your time, help fund the next translation.
Donate to the projectUpdated Works publishes readable, modern editions of the classics. Explore the library →