The Letter to Diognetus

(Plain Text Version)

The “Letter to Diognetus” is a description of the life of Christians in the world, written roughly 100—200 AD.  It was sent by an unknown author to an unknown recipient.  The original letter is lost, but a copy was written a thousand years later.  This copy was found in 1436 AD.  It was about to be used as a fish wrapper!

I have rewritten part of this letter in a modern style.  For an actual translation, type “Letter to Diognetus” into your favorite search engine.  The paragraph headings were written by Fr. John A. Hardon S. J.

In Many Ways Christians Are Ordinary People
If you look at a group of people, it would be hard to tell which ones are Christians.  They live in the same kind of homes, speak the same language, and dress like their neighbors. 

Yet there is Something Extraordinary About Christians
But here is where Christians are different: They live as though they are passing through this world to a world that can’t be seen.  They can live in any country, but their homeland is not on Earth.  They use the things of the world but are not attached to them.   They marry but remain faithful.  They have children, but they don’t kill them.  They obey the laws but live by a higher law.

Christians Are Persecuted
Christians love everyone, but are persecuted in return.  They are persecuted because they are not understood.  For the good they do they receive the punishment of criminals.  They live in poverty but enrich many.  They are dishonored but give a blessing in return.  They are put to death but are raised to life again.  Rather than hating their tormenters, they bless and forgive them.  Oddly, no one can give a good reason for the persecutions.  

Christians are the Moral Soul of the World
Just as the soul gives life to the body, the Christians give life to their neighbors. 

Although the soul is different from the body, it is spread throughout the body.  In the same way Christians live in every part of the world, but do not belong to it.    

Just as the soul is not seen, the spiritual life of the Christian is hidden.

The body hates the soul because it doesn’t want to be told what to do.  In the same way, the world hates the Christians, because they live by God’s law of love.

Christian Flourish Under Persecution
Christians love those who hate them just as the soul loves the body which hates it.

It is the soul which holds the body together.  In the same way, it is the Christians which hold the world together.

The soul will live forever, but it lives in a body which will die.  Likewise, the Christian lives in a world which will end, and looks forward to Heaven, which will never end.

Just as fasting from food and drink strengthen the soul, persecution gives new strength to the Christian.

This is the happy life which God gives to the people who belong to Him.  It must never be avoided.