Quote from Letter 5,41 to Eulogius, bishop of Alexandria, and Anastasius, bishop of Antioch. 1 june 595
My special intention was that we should first of all frequently work on the mind of our oft-mentioned brother over this matter [John, patriarch of Constantinopel; the use of the title universal bishop, AS], which is disturbing the whole fabril of the universal Church due to this new pride. And if het is in no way willing to bend from the rigidity of his arrogance, then what ought to be done should be delt with in greater detail, with the comfort of almighty God.
For as your Holiness, so venerable to me, is well aware, this title of universal bishopwas offered through the holy synod of Chalcedon to the pontiff of the apostolic see, which I serve as directed by God. But none of my predecessors have ever consented to use this most profane title, because of course if one patriarch is called universal, the title is diminished for the rest of the patriarchs. But, Heaven forbid, far be it from a Christian mind to want to seize for oneself the means whereby one might appear to diminish the honor of one's brethren, to even a tiny extent.
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