The Epistle to Diogentus

And what does it deserve but ridicule to be proud of the mutilation of the flesh as a proof of election, as if

And their attention to the stars and moon, for the observance of months and days, and for their arbitrary distinctions between the changing seasons ordained by God, making some into feasts, and others into occasions of mourning;—who would regard this as a proof of piety, and not much more of foolishness?

So then I think that you have learnt sufficiently that the Christians do rightly in abstaining from the general silliness and deceit and fussiness and pride of the Jews. But do not suppose that you can learn from man the mystery of the Christians’ own religion.

For the distinction between Christians and[*](The true distinction of Christians) other men, is neither in country nor language nor customs.

For they do not dwell in cities in some place of their own, nor do they use any strange variety of dialect, nor practise an extraordinary kind of life.

This teaching of theirs has not been discovered by the intellect or thought of busy men, nor are they the advocates of any human doctrine as some men are.

Yet while living in Greek and barbarian cities, according as each obtained his lot, and following the local customs, both in clothing and food and in the rest of life, they show forth the wonderful and confessedly strange character of the constitution of their own citizenship.

They dwell in their own fatherlands, but as if sojourners in them; they share all things as citizens, and suffer

They marry as all men, they bear children, but they do not expose their offspring.

They offer free hospitality, but guard their purity.