Letter 3053: Gregory to John, Bishop of Constantinople. Though consideration of the case moves me, yet charity also impels me to write, since I have written once and again to my most holy brother the lord John, but have received no letter from him. For some one else, a secular person, addressed me under his name; seeing that, if those were really his letters...

Gregory to John, Bishop of Constantinople. Both the facts of the case and my own sense of duty compel me to write, since I have now written to my most holy brother, the Lord John, more than once and received no reply. Some secular official wrote back to me in his name. If those letters were truly his, then I have failed in my vigilance, having believed something quite different of him than what I have found. I had written regarding the case of the most reverend presbyter John and the complaints of the monks of Isauria — one of whom, a man in priest's orders, was beaten with clubs in your church. Your most holy Fraternity wrote back, judging by the signature on the letter, claiming to know nothing of the matters I raised. This reply astonished me. I turned it over in silence, thinking: if he speaks the truth, what could be worse than such things being done to the servants of God while the bishop right there on the scene knows nothing about it? What excuse can a shepherd offer when the wolf devours the sheep and the shepherd is unaware? But if Your Holiness knew both what I wrote about and what had been done — both to the presbyter John and to Athanasius, the monk and presbyter from Isauria — and still wrote to me as you did, then I do not know what to say, except that Scripture tells us plainly: "The mouth that lies destroys the soul." I ask you directly, most holy brother: has that great austerity of yours come to this — that you would hide the truth from a fellow bishop through denial? Would it not have been better for meat to enter that mouth as food than for falsehood to come out of it to deceive a brother? The Lord Himself says: "It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth — this defiles a person." But far be it from me to believe any of this about you.

Book III, Letter 53 To John, Bishop. Gregory to John, Bishop of Constantinople. Though consideration of the case moves me, yet charity also impels me to write, since I have written once and again to my most holy brother the lord John, but have received no letter from him. For some one else, a secular person, addressed me under his name; seeing that, if those were really his letters, I have not been vigilant, having believed of him something far different from what I have found. For I had written about the case of the most reverend presbyter John, and about the questions of the monks of Isauria, one of whom, being in priest's orders, has been beaten with clubs in your church; and your most holy Fraternity (as appears from the signature of the letter) has written back to me professing ignorance of what I wrote about. At this reply I was exceedingly astonished, revolving within myself in silence, if he speaks the truth, what can be worse than that such things should be done against the servants of God, and even he who was close at hand should not know? For what excuse can a shepherd have if the wolf devours the sheep and the shepherd knows it not? But, if your Holiness knew both what I referred to in my letter and what had been done, whether against John the presbyter or against Athanasius, monk of Isauria and presbyter, and wrote to me, I know not; what can I reply to this, since the Truth says through His Scripture, The mouth that lies slays the soul Wisdom 1:11? I demand of you, most holy brother; has that so great abstinence of yours come to this, that by denial you would hide from your brother what you knew to have been done? Had it not been better that flesh should go into that mouth for food, than that falsehood should come out of it for deceiving a neighbour; especially when the Truth says, Not that which goes into the mouth defiles a man; but that which comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man Matthew 15:11? But far be it from me to believe anything of the kind of your most holy heart. Those letters were headed with your name, but I do not think they were yours. I had written to the most blessed lord John; but I believe that that familiar of yours has replied — that youngster, who as yet has learned nothing about God; who knows not the bowels of charity; who in his wicked doings is accused by all; who daily lays snares against the deaths of various people by means of concealed wills; who neither fears God nor regards men. Believe me, most holy brother, you must first correct this man, that from the example of those who are near to you those who are not near may be better amended. Do not give ear to his tongue: he ought to be directed after the counsel of your holiness; not your holiness swayed by his words. For, if you listen to him, I know that you cannot have peace with your brethren. For I, as my conscience bears me witness, wish to quarrel with no man; and with all my power I avoid it. And, though I desire exceedingly to be at peace with all mankind, it is especially so with you, whom I exceedingly love, if only you are yourself the person whom I knew. For, if you do not observe the canons, and wish to tear to pieces the statutes of the Fathers, I know not who you are. So act, then, most holy and most dear brother, that we may mutually recognize each other, lest, if the ancient foe should move us two to take offense, he slay many through his most atrocious victory. As for me, to show that I seek to do nothing in a haughty spirit, if that youngster of whom I have before spoken did not hold the topmost place of evil doing with your Fraternity, I could meanwhile have passed over in silence what is ready to my hand from the canons, and have sent back to you with confidence the persons who came to me at the first, knowing that your Holiness would receive them with charity. But even now I say; Either receive these same persons, restoring them to their orders, and leaving them in quiet; or, if perchance you are unwilling to do this, observe in their case the statutes of the Fathers and the definitions of the canons, putting aside all altercation with me. But, if you should do neither, we indeed are unwilling to bring on a quarrel, but still do not shun one if it comes from your side. Moreover your Fraternity knows well what the canons say about bishops who desire to inspire fear by blows. For we have been made shepherds, not persecutors. And the excellent preacher says, Argue, beseech, rebuke, with all longsuffering and doctrine 2 Timothy 4:2. But new and unheard of is this preaching, which exacts faith by blows. But I need not speak at length by letter about these things, since I have sent my most beloved son, the deacon Sabinianus, as my representative in ecclesiastical matters, to the threshold of our lords; and he will speak with you about everything more particularly. Unless you are disposed to wrangle with us, you will find him prepared for all that is just. Him I commend to your Blessedness, that he at least may find that lord John whom I knew in the royal city.