Letter 4080

From: Pope Gregory I To: Anthemius, Subdeacon Date: ~594 AD Context: Gregory orders Anthemius to give three solidi annually to each converted Jew I am establishing an annual payment of three solidi to each Jew who converts to the Christian faith in your area. This is not a large sum, but it is intended as practical support to those who, by converting, may lose the economic and social ties that sustained them within the Jewish community. The Church cannot in good conscience invite people to take a step that may cost them their livelihoods and then offer nothing to help them through the transition. Make the payments, keep proper records, and ensure the recipients are genuine converts rather than those merely seeking a stipend.

AD ANTHEMIUM SUBDIACONUM. Judais conversis (ribus det s0lidos singulis annts, Gregorius Anthemio subdiacono. lis quos de © Judaica perditione Redemptor noster ad se dignatur converltere, rationabili nos oportet moderatione concurrere, ne victus, quod absit, ino- piam patiantur. Ideoque tibi hvjus praecepti auctori- tate mandamus Þ quatenus filiis Justz ex Nebrais, id est Juliano, Redemplo, et Fortunz, a tertia decima Succedenti indictione annis Singulis Solidos dare non differas, quos tuis noveris modis omnibus ralionibus impulandos.