Letter to the Bishops of Libya and the Pentapolis · §4 · Cyril of Alexandria

Catechumens and Penitents Near Death

For in this way we shall keep both our own conscience pure and the holy and venerable liturgy beyond reproach.

On catechumens and penitents, if they draw near their end

If any who have been censured for their faults undergo separation, and then are about to die while they are still catechumens, let them be baptized; and let them not depart this life without a share in grace, that is, without communion. For this too seems to be in keeping with the ordinances of the Church.

Greet the brotherhood that is with you; the brotherhood that is with us greets you in the Lord.

Greek

Τηρήσομεν γὰρ οὕτω καθαρὸν καὶ τὸ ἑαυτῶν συνειδὸς καὶ ἀδιάβλητον τὴν ἱερὰν καὶ σεπτὴν λειτουργίαν. Ε Περὶ τῶν κατηχουμένων καὶ μετανοούντων, εἰ τοῦ τέλους ἐγγίζοιεν. Ἐὰν δὲ χωρισμὸν ὑπομείνωσί τινες ἐπιτιμηθέντες πταισμάτων ἕνεκα, 284 εἶτα μέλλωσι τελευτᾶν, κατηχούμενοι ὄντες, βαπτιζέσθωσαν, καὶ μὴ ἀποδημείτωσαν τῶν ἀνθρωπίνων ἀμέτοχοι τῆς χάριτος, ἤγουν ἀκοινώνητοι· δοκεῖ γὰρ προσέχειν καὶ τοῦτο τοῖς τῆς ἐκκλησίας θεσμοῖς. Προσείπατε τὴν παρ' ὑμῖν ἀδελφότητα· ὑμᾶς ἡ σὺν ἡμῖν ἐν κυρίῳ προσαγορεύει.

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Cyril of Alexandria writes to the bishops of Libya and the Pentapolis after monks from the Thebaid report hasty ordinations. He asks them to examine every candidate's life before ordaining him, and to baptize and give communion to catechumens and penitents who are near death. A fresh English translation from the Greek.

A fresh English translation made from the Greek text printed in PG 77. No published English version was used for its wording.

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Translated from PG 77 (Greek)

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