Letter 3010: Bad men have gone forth and disturbed your minds, understanding neither what they say nor whereof they affirm, pretending that in the times of Justinian of pious memory something was detracted from the faith of the holy synod of Chalcedon, which with all faith and all devotion we venerate. And in like manner all the four synods of the holy unive...

Book III, Letter 10 To Savinus, Subdeacon [Gregory's representative]. Gregory to Savinus. Wicked men have gone out and disturbed your minds, claiming what they do not understand and asserting what they cannot prove. They pretend that the faith itself is in danger, when in truth they are only seeking to cause division. Do not be troubled by their words. The faith of the Church stands firm on the foundation laid by the apostles and confirmed by the councils. No amount of clever argumentation by restless troublemakers can shake what God Himself has established. We urge you to remain steadfast and not be moved by those who spread confusion. Hold fast to what you have been taught. Maintain unity with your brothers. Those who sow discord in the Church will answer for it at the judgment. If any specific charges or questions have been raised that need addressing, bring them to our attention in writing, and we will provide the guidance needed. But do not allow panic or rumor to govern your actions. Trust in the Lord, who has promised that the gates of hell shall not prevail against His Church.

Book III, Letter 10 To Savinus, Subdeacon. Gregory to Savinus, etc. Bad men have gone forth and disturbed your minds, understanding neither what they say nor whereof they affirm, pretending that in the times of Justinian of pious memory something was detracted from the faith of the holy synod of Chalcedon, which with all faith and all devotion we venerate. And in like manner all the four synods of the holy universal Church we receive as we do the four books of the holy Gospel. But concerning the persons with respect to whom something had been done after the close of the synod, there was something ventilated in the times of Justinian of pious memory: yet so that neither was the faith in any respect violated, nor anything else done with regard to these same persons but what had been determined at the same holy synod of Chalcedon. Moreover, we anathematize any one who presumes to detract anything from the definition of the faith which was promulgated in the said synod, or, as though by amending it, to change its meaning: but, as it was there promulged, so in all respects we guard it. You, therefore, most dear son, it becomes to return to the unity of Holy Church, that you may end your days in peace; lest the malignant spirit, who cannot prevail against you through your other works, may from this cause find a way at the day of your departure of barring your entrance into the heavenly Kingdom. 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/360203010.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.