Letter 85: Leo, the bishop, to the bishop Anatolius. Although I hope, beloved, you are devoted to every good work, yet that your activity may be rendered the more effective, it was needful and fitting to dispatch my brothers Lucentius the bishop and Basil the presbyter, as we promised, to ally themselves with you, beloved, that nothing may be done either ...

Leo, Bishop of Rome, to Anatolius, Bishop of Constantinople. I. Anatolius, with Leo's delegates, is to settle the question of receiving back those who temporarily went astray after Eutyches Although I trust, beloved, that you are devoted to every good work, it was nonetheless needful and fitting to dispatch our brothers -- Lucentius the bishop and Basil the presbyter -- as we had promised, to act in concert with you, so that nothing may be done indecisively or negligently in matters that concern the welfare of the universal Church. As long as you are on the spot, to whom we have entrusted the execution of our will, all things can be conducted with such moderation that the claims of neither mercy nor justice are neglected. Without respect of persons, the divine judgment must be considered in everything. For this to be properly observed and maintained, the integrity of the Catholic faith must first be secured. And because "narrow and steep is the way that leads to life" (Matthew 7:14), there must be no deviation from it in either direction. The evangelical and apostolic faith must combat all errors -- on one side overthrowing Nestorius, on the other crushing Eutyches and his accomplices. Remember the need to observe this principle: all those who at that synod -- which cannot and does not deserve to be called a synod, at which Dioscorus displayed his malice and Juvenal his ignorance -- grieve, as we learn from your account, beloved, that they were conquered by fear, and who now desire Catholic communion, are to receive the peace of the brotherhood after due assurance of their repentance. This is conditional upon their anathematizing, in clear and unmistakable terms, Eutyches and his doctrine, along with all his followers. They must acknowledge two natures in the one Person of Christ and must subscribe to the definitions established by the holy Council of Nicaea and confirmed by the authority of the Apostolic See. Those who refuse to take this step, or who qualify their condemnation in any way, are to be excluded from communion. For the Church cannot afford to harbor ambiguity on the central mystery of the faith: the true and complete divinity and the true and complete humanity of the one Lord Jesus Christ. We have entrusted these instructions to our delegates, who will work with you to determine the specific terms of reconciliation.

To Anatolius, Bishop of Constantinople. I. Anatolius with Leo's delegates is to settle the question of the receiving back of those who had temporarily gone astray after Eutyches. Leo, the bishop, to the bishop Anatolius. Although I hope, beloved, you are devoted to every good work, yet that your activity may be rendered the more effective, it was needful and fitting to dispatch my brothers Lucentius the bishop and Basil the presbyter, as we promised, to ally themselves with you, beloved, that nothing may be done either indecisively or lazily in matters, which concern the welfare of the universal Church; for as long as you are on the spot, to whom we have entrusted the carrying out of our will, all things can be conducted with such moderation that the claims of neither kindness nor justice may be neglected, but without the accepting of persons, the Divine judgment may be considered in everything. But that this may be properly observed and guarded, the integrity of the Catholic Faith must first of all be preserved, and, because in all cases narrow and steep is the way that leads unto life Matthew 7:14, there must be no deviation from its track, either to the right hand or to the left. And because the evangelical and Apostolic Faith has to combat all errors, on the one side casting down Nestorius, on the other crushing Eutyches and his accomplices, remember the need of observing this rule, that all those who in that synod , which cannot, and does not deserve to have the name of Synod, and in which Dioscorus displayed his bad feeling, and Juvenal his ignorance, grieve as we learn from your account, beloved, that they were conquered by fear, and being overcome with terror, were able to be forced to assent to that iniquitous judgment, and who now desire to obtain Catholic communion, are to receive the peace of the brethren after due assurance of repentance, on condition that in no doubtful terms they anathematize, execrate and condemn Eutyches and his dogma and his adherents. II. The case of the more serious offenders must be reserved for the present. But concerning those who have sinned more gravely in this matter, and claimed for themselves a higher place in the same unhappy synod, in order to irritate the simple minds of their lowlier brethren by their pernicious arrogance, if they return to their right mind, and ceasing to defend their action, turn themselves to the condemnation of their particular error, if these men give such assurance of penitence as shall seem indisputable, let their case be reserved for the maturer deliberations of the Apostolic See, that when all things have been sifted and weighed, the right conclusion may be arrived at about their real actions. And in the Church over which the Lord has willed you to rule, let none such as we have already written have their names read at the altar until the course of events shows what ought to be determined concerning them. III. Anatolius is requested to co-operate loyally with Leo's delegates. But concerning the address presented to us by your clergy, beloved, there is no need to put my sentiments into a letter: it is sufficient to entrust all to my delegates, whose words shall carefully instruct you on every point. And so, dearest brother, do you endeavour with these brethren whom we have chosen as suitable agents in so great a matter faithfully and effectually to carry out what is agreeable to the Church of God: especially as the very nature of the case, and the promise of Divine aid incite you, and our most gracious princes show such holy faith, such religious devotion, that we find in them not only the general sympathy of Christians, but even that of the priesthood. Who assuredly in accordance with that piety, whereby they boast themselves to be servants of God, will receive all your suggestions for the benefit of the Catholic Faith in a worthy spirit, so that by their aid also the peace of Christendom can be restored and wicked error destroyed. And if on any points more advice is needed, let word be quickly sent to us, that after investigating the nature of the case, we may carefully prescribe the rightful measures. Dated 9th of June in the consulship of the illustrious Adelfius (451). About this page Source. Translated by Charles Lett Feltoe. 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/3604085.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.