Letter 1061: That you have unceasingly the fear of God before your eyes, and pursue justice, the subdued necks of enemies testify; but, that the grace of Christ may keep your Glory in the same prosperity, restrain, as you have been wont, with speedy prohibition whatever things you discover to be committed wrongfully, so that, fortified with the arms of justi...

Book I, Letter 61 To Gennadius, Patrician and Exarch [supreme military and civil governor] of Africa [the Byzantine province of North Africa, roughly modern Tunisia]. Gregory to Gennadius. That you constantly keep the fear of God before your eyes and pursue justice is proven by the defeated enemies at your feet. But so that the grace of Christ may keep Your Glory in continued prosperity, use your usual speed to suppress whatever wrongdoing you discover -- so that, fortified with the weapons of justice, you may overcome hostile attacks through the power of faith, which is the highest virtue. Our brother and fellow bishop Marinianus, of the city of Turris [Torres, in Sardinia], has tearfully reported to us that the poor of his city are being harassed and burdened with unjust fees and payments everywhere. The clergy of his church also suffer serious mistreatment from the men of the magister militum [military commander] Theodorus, including physical violence. Things have escalated to the point where -- shocking to say -- clergy are being thrown into prison. Marinianus himself is also being seriously obstructed by this officer in matters pertaining to his church. You yourself know how contrary such actions are to the order of the state, if they are indeed true. Since it falls to Your Excellency to correct all this, I greet Your Eminence and ask that you put a stop to these abuses. Order Theodorus strictly to refrain from harming the Church: no one should be burdened with levies or payments beyond what reason allows. If disputes arise, they should be resolved not by the threat of military power but by the rule of law. Correct all this, with the Lord's inspiration, by the force of your authority -- so that the distinguished Theodorus and his men desist from such conduct, if not from respect for what is right, then at least from fear of your command. This way, to the advancement of your reputation and reward, justice and freedom may flourish in the territories entrusted to your charge.

Book I, Letter 61 To Gennadius, Patrician and Exarch of Africa. Gregory to Gennadius, etc. That you have unceasingly the fear of God before your eyes, and pursue justice, the subdued necks of enemies testify; but, that the grace of Christ may keep your Glory in the same prosperity, restrain, as you have been wont, with speedy prohibition whatever things you discover to be committed wrongfully, so that, fortified with the arms of justice, you may overcome hostile attacks with the power of faith, which is the top of all virtue. Now Marinianus, our brother and fellow bishop of the city of Turris has tearfully represented to us that the poor of his city are being vexed everywhere, and afflicted by expenses in the way of gifts or payments ; and further that the religious of his church endure serious molestation from the men of Theodorus the magister militum, and suffer bodily injuries; and that this thing is breaking out to such a pitch that (shocking to say) they are thrust into prison, and that he himself also is seriously hindered by the aforesaid glorious person in causes pertaining to his Church. How opposed such things are, if indeed they are true, to the discipline of the republic you yourselves know. And, since it befits your Excellency to amend all these things, greeting your Eminence I demand of you that you suffer them to be done no more; but straightly order him to abstain from harming the Church, and that none be aggrieved by burdens laid upon them, or payments , beyond what reason allows, and that, if there should be any suits, they be determined not by the terror of power, but by order of law. I pray you, then, so correct all these things, the Lord inspiring you, by the menace of your injunction that the glorious Theodorus and his men may abstain from such things, if not out of regard to rectitude, yet at any rate out of fear inspired by your command; that so, to the advancement of your credit and reward, justice with liberty may flourish in the parts committed to your charge. About this page Source. Translated by James Barmby. From Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, Vol. 12. Edited by Philip Schaff and Henry Wace. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1895.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight. <https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/360201061.htm>. Contact information. The editor of New Advent is Kevin Knight. My email address is feedback732 at newadvent.org. (To help fight spam, this address might change occasionally.) Regrettably, I can't reply to every letter, but I greatly appreciate your feedback — especially notifications about typographical errors and inappropriate ads.