Just keep before your eyes the fear and righteousness of God, and ask the semior persons and the archdeacon of the same church [of Ravenna] , whom I do not suspect of perjuring himself for another's honor, and other older men, who had been in holy orders before the time of Bishop John, or if there are any more mature onse outside holy orders. And let them come before the body of Saint Apollinaris, and touching his sepulcher, swear as to what costum there was before the time of Bishop John. For, as you know, the same man was guilty of great presumption, and tried to claim many things for himself in an arrogant manner.
We want whatever has been sworn by the more trustworthy and serious men, following the short list attached hereto, to be preserved in the same church. But see that you do not act negligently, so no one corrupts your faith or devotion in this case. For I know your enthusiasm.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 425
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