LettersVolume 3 (131-164) (Fathers of the Church Patristic Series)

These letters, taken as a whole, present a vivid and fascinating view of life in North Africa at the beginning of the fifth century. In addition to the comments about ecclesiastical and episcopal affairs, there are also letters on various threats to peace and security common in this period of the late empire, on slavery and the growth of the slave trade, and on Roman involvement in African affairs, both ecclesiastical and civil. There are letters dealing with moral questions and pastoral problems, in both marriage and the family, as well as in larger areas of doctrine and discipline in the Church. The conflict resulting from the end of the Donatist schism becomes clearer, as does the refrain of desperation stemming from an inadequate supply of clergy for parishes needing to be served. A large number of these letters illustrate the day-to-day worries of a fifth century North African bishop: clerical scandals, Church finances, people seeking sanctuary in a church (and the ensuing problems with the civil authorities), and disputed episcopal succession. Contents 131 - To Proba 132 - To Volusian 133 - To Marcellinus 134 - To Apringius 135 - Volusian to Augustine 136 - Marcellinus to Augustine 137 - To Volusian 138 - To Marcellinus 139 - To Marcellinus 140 - To Honoratus [The Book of Grace] 141 - To the Donatists 142 - To Saturnius and Eufrata 143 - To Marcellinus 144 - To the Citizens of Cirta 145 - To Anastasius 146 - To Pelagius 147 - To Paulina [The Book of the Vision of God] 148 - To Fortunatianus 149 - To Paulinus 150 - To Proba and Juliana 151 - To Caecilian 152 - Macedonius to Augustine 153 - To Macedonius 154 - Macedonius to Augusine 155 - To Macedonius 156 - Hilarius to Augustine 157 - To Hilarius 158 - Evodius to Augustine 159 - To Evodius 160 - Evodius to Augustine 161 - Evodius to Augustine 162 - To Evodius 163 - Evodius to Augustine 164 - To Evodius