Letter 6002: Gregory to the clergy and people of the Church of Ravenna. We have been informed that certain men, instigated by the malignant spirit, have wished to corrupt your minds by false speech with regard to the reputation of our brother and fellow bishop Marinianus ; saying that this our brother venerates the holy synod of Chalcedon less than becomes h...
Gregory to the clergy and people of the Church of Ravenna.
I have been informed that certain men, driven by the malicious spirit, have tried to corrupt your minds with false talk about the reputation of our brother and fellow bishop Marinianus -- claiming that he venerates the holy Council of Chalcedon less than he should. On this point, he himself will satisfy you in person regarding the integrity of his faith. And I bear full witness that, having been raised from his cradle in the bosom of the holy universal Church, he has held the true preaching of the faith throughout his life.
He venerates the holy Council of Nicaea, in which Arius was condemned; the Council of Constantinople, in which Macedonius was condemned; the first Council of Ephesus, in which Nestorius was condemned; and the holy Council of Chalcedon, in which Dioscorus and Eutyches were condemned. If anyone should ever presume to speak against the faith of these four councils or against the tome and definition of Pope Leo of holy memory, let him be anathema.
Receiving this full assurance, love your pastor with pure hearts and complete charity, so that his prayers poured out to God on your behalf may profit you.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.
Related Letters
Having read your letter, beloved, we learn that you have made choice of Honoratus your archdeacon; and know that it is altogether pleasing to us that you have chosen for the order of episcopacy a man tried of old and of grave manner of life. We too join with you in approbation of his personal character, inasmuch as it is already known to us; and...
Though your Fraternity in the zeal of righteousness gives fitting attention to the protection of various persons, yet we believe that you will be the more prone to succour those whom a letter from us may commend to you. Know then that Pompeiana, a religious woman, has represented to us through one of her people that she endures many grievances c...
Gregory to Januarius, Bishop of Caralis (Cagliari). Your Fraternity ought indeed to have been so attentive to pious duties as to be in no need at all of our admonitions to induce you to fulfil them: yet, as certain particulars that require correction have come to our knowledge, there is nothing incongruous in your having besides a letter address...
Leo the bishop to the clergy, dignitaries, and people, residing at Constantinople. Though we are greatly grieved at the things reported to have been done recently in the council of priests at Ephesus, because, as is consistently rumoured, and also demonstrated by results, neither due moderation nor the strictness of the Faith was there observed,...
The preacher of Almighty God, Paul the apostle, says, Rebuke not an elder 1 Timothy 5:1. But this rule of his is to be observed in cases where the fault of an elder does not draw through his example the hearts of the younger into ruin. But, when an elder sets an example to the young for their ruin, he is to be smitten with severe rebuke.