Quote from Letter 9.157 to Eusebius of Thessaloniki, Urbicus of Dyrrachium, Andrew of Nicopolis, John of corinth, John of Prima Justiniana, John of Crete, John of Larissa and John of Scutari. May 599
Furthermore, it has come to our attention that your Fraternity has been summoned to the city of Constantinople. Our most pious emperor does not allow unlawful acts to be done there, and yet, in case wicked men should take the opportunity of your meeting, and either look for a change of deception in support for the false belief of this titel [of ecumenical (universal) patriarch], or should think of holding a synod for some other matter, meaning to introduce it in that synod with cunning contrivances, yet nothing done without the authority and agreement of the apostolic see would have any force.
But I swear before almighty God and warn you that none of your should agree to any sort of persuasive flattery, any sort of bribery, andy sort of threat. But rather, out of consideration for the eternal Judge, present yourself soundly and unanimously against wicked desires, and relying on pastoral constancy and apostolic authority, keep out the robber and the wolf that rushes in, and do not yield to the one who rages, bent on dividing the Church. Do not allow a synod to be convened over this matter, through any deceitfulness; indeed, such a meeting should not be called a synod.
Furthermore, it has come to our attention that your Fraternity has been summoned to the city of Constantinople. Our most pious emperor does not allow unlawful acts to be done there, and yet, in case wicked men should take the opportunity of your meeting, and either look for a change of deception in support for the false belief of this titel [of ecumenical (universal) patriarch], or should think of holding a synod for some other matter, meaning to introduce it in that synod with cunning contrivances, yet nothing done without the authority and agreement of the apostolic see would have any force.
But I swear before almighty God and warn you that none of your should agree to any sort of persuasive flattery, any sort of bribery, andy sort of threat. But rather, out of consideration for the eternal Judge, present yourself soundly and unanimously against wicked desires, and relying on pastoral constancy and apostolic authority, keep out the robber and the wolf that rushes in, and do not yield to the one who rages, bent on dividing the Church. Do not allow a synod to be convened over this matter, through any deceitfulness; indeed, such a meeting should not be called a synod.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 641.
No comments:
Post a Comment