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Date c. 333
Ancient Source(s) Athanasius, Ap. 66

To his dearly beloved son and fellow like-minded minister, the lord Athanasius, Alexander the Bishop sends health in the Lord.

I congratulate the most excellent Sarapion that he is striving so earnestly to adorn himself with holy habits, and is thus advancing to higher praise the memory of his father. For, as the Holy Scripture somewhere says, ‘though his father die, yet he is as though he were not dead;’ for he has left behind him a memorial of his life. What my feelings were towards the very memorable Sozon, you yourself, my lord, are not ignorant, for you know the sacredness of his memory, as well as the goodness of the young man. I have received only one letter from your reverence, which I had by the hands of this youth. I mention this to you, my lord, in order that you may know. Our dearly beloved brother and deacon Macarius afforded me great pleasure by writing to me from Constantinople, that the false accuser Archaph had met with disgrace for having given out before all men that a live man had been murdered. That he will receive from the righteous Judge, together with all the tribe of his associates, that punishment, which his crimes deserve, the infallible Scriptures assure us. May the Lord of all preserve you for very many years, my lord, in every way most kind.

Translation from NPNF2 vol. 4, p. 134-5

Adapted by SMT

Last updated: 2-4-2011

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