Dialog listowny św. Augustyna z Nektariuszem

Abstrakt

The article is divided into two parts. The first part presents the geographical, personal and historical background of the dialogue; the second part discusses its subject.

The correspondence concerns the pagans of Kalama who publicly practised the pagan cult though it was officially forbidden under death penalty. They committed various infamous deeds and offences against the Catholics; what is more, they even murdered one of the priests. The situation continued for a long period of time. Knowing the great heart of the bishop of Hippo, Nectarius wrote two letters to him (the letters: 90 and 103). He asked St. Augustine to stand up for the criminals who found themselves in danger of serious penalty from the State authorities. Augustine firmly spoke against the death penalty and corporal tortures (the letters: 91 and 104). He demanded, however, special fines to punish violence. According to Augustine, both rigidity as well as impunity should be equally avoided. Augustine shows the evil of the pagan cult and presents the image of the earthly and heavenly home. He encourages Nectarius not to follow the Stoics who think "all the sins are equal" but to chose the way of Christ.