Letter 4,4 - to Theodelinda, queen of the Lombards. September 593
"For we confess, with or conscience as our witness, that nothing has been removed from the faith of that same holy council of Chalcedon, nor anything violated. However, whatever was done at the time of the aforementioned Justinian, was done in such a way that the faith of the council of Chalcedon might be disturbed in no way. However, if anyone presumes to say or to know anything contrary to the faith of the same synod, we condemn this view under the imposition of anathema.
Therefore, since you understand our integrity from the testimony or our conscience, it remains for you never to separate yourself from communion with the Catholic Church. Otherwise so many tears of yours and such great and good works may be wasted, if found alien to the true faith.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 289.
Showing posts with label anathema. Show all posts
Showing posts with label anathema. Show all posts
Sunday, 25 September 2011
Tuesday, 20 July 2010
Spice Your Humility
Letter 1,38a - to sub-deacon Peter. 16 March 591.
"(I)f you see anything that can justly comply with Church law, be careful in case you are ever keen to protect it with force, especially as I have also issues a decree with anathema added to it, that our Church should never place titles on estates in the city of in the countryside.. But whatever supports the poor with reason, should be defended with reason, so that, when something good is not being done well, what we justly complain about, even before almighty God, is not unjustly refuted.
However the noble laymen and the glorious praetor should love you for your humility, and not shrink from you due to your arrogance.
And yet when you realize that those men are perhaps doing unjust deeds against any destitute people, then turn your humility into pride at once, and always when they behave badly. But act in such a way that your humility is not remiss, nor your authority rigid, so that rectitude adds spice to your humility and your humility adds sweetness to your very rectitude."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 157.
"(I)f you see anything that can justly comply with Church law, be careful in case you are ever keen to protect it with force, especially as I have also issues a decree with anathema added to it, that our Church should never place titles on estates in the city of in the countryside.. But whatever supports the poor with reason, should be defended with reason, so that, when something good is not being done well, what we justly complain about, even before almighty God, is not unjustly refuted.
However the noble laymen and the glorious praetor should love you for your humility, and not shrink from you due to your arrogance.
And yet when you realize that those men are perhaps doing unjust deeds against any destitute people, then turn your humility into pride at once, and always when they behave badly. But act in such a way that your humility is not remiss, nor your authority rigid, so that rectitude adds spice to your humility and your humility adds sweetness to your very rectitude."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 157.
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