John C. Wright's Journal

From the Epistle to Diognetus from a Disciple (circa AD 130)

The manners of the Christians

For the Christians are distinguished from other men neither by country, nor language, nor the customs which they observe.

For they neither inhabit cities of their own, nor employ a peculiar form of speech, nor lead a life which is marked out by any singularity. The course of conduct which they follow has not been devised by any speculation or deliberation of inquisitive men; nor do they, like some, proclaim themselves the advocates of any merely human doctrines.

But, inhabiting Greek as well as barbarian cities, according as the lot of each of them has determined, and following the customs of the natives in respect to clothing, food, and the rest of their ordinary conduct, they display to us their wonderful and confessedly striking method of life.

They dwell in their own countries, but simply as sojourners. As citizens, they share in all things with others, and yet endure all things as if foreigners.

Every foreign land is to them as their native country, and every land of their birth as a land of strangers.

They marry, as do all; they beget children; but they do not destroy their offspring.

They have a common table, but not a common bed.

They are in the flesh, but they do not live after the flesh.

They pass their days on earth, but they are citizens of heaven.

They obey the prescribed laws, and at the same time surpass the laws by their lives.

They love all men, and are persecuted by all.

They are unknown and condemned; they are put to death, and restored to life. They are poor, yet make many rich; they are in lack of all things, and yet abound in all; they are dishonoured, and yet in their very dishonour are glorified.

They are evil spoken of, and yet are justified; they are reviled, and bless; they are insulted, and repay the insult with honour; they do good, yet are punished as evil-doers.

When punished, they rejoice as if quickened into life; they are assailed by the Jews as foreigners, and are persecuted by the Greeks; yet those who hate them are unable to assign any reason for their hatred.

A prince asked for a maiden’s hand, and she agreed to wed. She was poor, so all things were made ready at the prince’s command: from the jeweler, a golden ring; from the dressmaker, a splendid white gown; bridesmaids and best man, and flower girls were invited, and a bishop to perform the ceremony.

The servants of the prince who had served him faithfully since his coronation were invited, and his mother was given a prominent place, and each brought gifts for the bride. A honeymoon bower was prepared and adorned.

But the bride said to the prince: “Greatly I respect your laws, O Prince, that you have written. Tell me: where is it written that I must wear a ring to be wed?”

And he said, “It is unwritten. A bride need not wear a ring to wed. But my love for you is great, and my gifts are generous.”

And she said, “Greatly I respect your laws, O Prince. Tell me: where is it written that a priest perform the wedding vows?”

And he said, “It is unwritten. Man and wife exchanging vows without a priest nonetheless may be lawfully wed. But my love for you is great, and my servants are eager to serve you.”

She said, “Take away whatever is not needed by the law, for I love only the Prince.”

And so likewise she said of the gown, the cathedral, the guests, the gifts, bridesmaids and best man and flowergirls.”I will not have anyone throw rice after, nor will I throw the bouquet, for these are ancient pagan customs.”

She said, “Your servants, I will not remember their names nor deeds, nor receive their aid. Why should I ask of them what I can ask of you?”

And she made special point of excluding the mother of the prince, saying, “If she is invited, all men will say I am marrying her, not you. To avoid scandal, she must not come to the wedding, nor the wedding feast, nor will I ever show her honor, nor speak to her. For so great is my respect for your laws, that I will not permit anything not strictly required by written law to be present at the wedding, or after.”

So the prince agreed, and the bride had her way, but after they were wed, she removed from him and dwelled alone her own house, saying that no honeymoon was needed for the marriage to be lawful, and no consummation.

And so the marriage was barren, and no heir born.

When is greater love shown? When the prince bestows all gifts and honors to his bride, or when he gives not one jot more than what is strictly required by written law?