Epistola ad Coroticum

A fierce pastoral letter from a bishop serving among unfamiliar peoples, this work begins with a deeply personal confession of faith, sacrifice, and duty. Its writer addresses a powerful ruler after Christian converts—newly baptized and dressed in white—have been killed, while others are taken captive by soldiers. Grief, outrage, and spiritual urgency shape every sentence.

Drawing on Scripture, the letter condemns violence, greed, and the abuse of power, insisting that those who profit from bloodshed stand opposed to Christ. The writer calls on fellow believers to reject fellowship, gifts, and hospitality from the perpetrators until the captives are freed and repentance is shown. Alongside its denunciation, the text reveals the hardships of missionary life: exile from family, humble origins, resistance from powerful figures, and unwavering devotion to a distant community. Direct and uncompromising, it offers a vivid glimpse into early Christian leadership, moral courage, and the human cost of religious conflict.