Epistula ad Palladiu1

Of our Father among the Saints Athanasius, Archbishop of Alexandria, to Palladius the Presbyter, an epistle. To his beloved son Palladius the Presbyter, Athanasius the bishop, greeting in the Lord. Having received the letter written by you alone, I rejoiced, especially because you breathed orthodoxy as is your custom. And the reason why you are spending time with our beloved Innocentius, I have not learned only now, but have known for a long time, and I approved of your piety. Therefore, acting in this way, write and inform us how the brethren are there, and how the enemies of the truth think concerning us. Since you also made known concerning the monks in Caesarea, and I learned from our beloved Dianius that they are grieved and resist our beloved Basil the bishop, I approved of you for making it known, and I have made known to them what is fitting, that as children they should obey a father and not contradict what he himself judges. For if he were suspect concerning the truth, they would do well to fight; but if they have confidence, and we all have confidence, that he is a boast of the Church, contending rather for the truth and teaching those in need, it is not necessary to fight against such a man, but rather to approve his good conscience. For from what our beloved Dianius related, they appear to be grieved in vain. For he himself, as I am confident, becomes weak with the weak in order to gain the weak; but our beloved, looking to the aim of his truth and his economy, should glorify the Lord, who has given to Cappadocia such a bishop as every country prays to have.

And you, therefore, beloved, be willing to make this clear to them, so that, as I have written, they may be persuaded. For this both presents them as grateful toward their father, and this will preserve peace for the Churches. I pray that you be strong in the Lord, beloved son.