Letter 12: Symmachus, bishop, to our most beloved brother Caesarius, bishop of Arles.

Of Pope Symmachus, to the Easterns. The eighth of October. He writes in reply that they will never be partakers of his communion who, under any pretext whatever, have refused to be torn away from the fellowship of the condemned, that is, of Eutyches, Dioscorus, Timothy, Peter, and Acacius. To the most beloved brethren, all the bishops, presbyters, deacons, archimandrites, and to the whole order and people throughout Illyricum, Dardania, and both the Dacias: Symmachus. 1. That this may be fully accomplished, if the things we write are carried out: let no one be amazed that we, who have until now kept silence, have now broken it, since that voice of the most wise Solomon rings out: There is a time for speaking, and a time for keeping silence. For the present time storms against silence: for, amid the things that befall us now, to be silent and not to be roused by the goads of faith is plainly a matter of great disdain. Indeed, where the reverence of religion and its very summit is shaken, it is fitting, according to the divine Scripture, to say that those who are gentle ought to be combative. For there is also a certain spiritual cause of God that is brought forth: yet truly they are exceedingly warlike and, in the contending, keen and fierce. [...] The congregation of Chalcedon, [proclaimer] of the holy [...], which condemned Eutyches and Dioscorus, two names notorious and of great [...], by the integrity of one sentence [...] of iniquity [...], struggling with one spirit against the divine dogmas? Who has been ignorant that Timothy and Peter were the homebred slaves of the aforesaid, the champions of [a condemned cause], the authors and masters of their own party in their frequent error? We speak of that Timothy the parricide, who, while the holy and revered Proterius yet survived, not only seized the church by means not religious, but even added the shedding of pious blood to the crime [...]. His condemnation indeed is the voice of the universal Church, uttered together with the very name of Christian honor [...]. Following whom, Peter, the prayers of very many of the orthodox made [...], in which he showed forth and exalted the virtue of his own spirit [...]. Ephesus [received?] this man together with the whole fellowship of Dioscorus, where [...]. 2. Timothy and Peter come to Alexandria, and he is ordained bishop by the heretics. Two bishops therefore began to be at Alexandria, [...] the invader together with Proterius; to which crime Timothy afterward [added the murder] of Proterius himself, [...] made known that he had worked the end of holy Flavian in the [increase] of sin. The evils of Antioch must be passed over in silence, where through the abominable mockeries of the other Peter the very name of priesthood was made a thing of derision. Who could bewail with worthy lamentation the [...] of Apamea and Tyre, to be compared with tragic crimes, or, if only [the sun] be at leisure, [things] worthy of weeping? What of Acacius? He who, as though burdened by his own good, [...] the things he had sent forth before while Basiliscus was emperor; by a new example of punishment he was caught pronouncing sentence against himself: defending with a willing mind those whom before he had thought it glorious to condemn, laboring to associate with the faithful those whom he had a while ago shown by manifest proof to be heretics; on whose account most of all he is to be fled from and, set above, to be ranked equal with the company of the condemned, dissolving the very things by which he had been proved to be [sound], and mingled with those through whom injury came to the general Church. 3. If reason persuades that the dogmas of the fathers ought to be preserved against these men, [...] if they can be trampled by a greater transgression than [is done] now by those who in your parts revive the recurring dogmas of Eutyches. But if they are neglected as though sentences feebly established, without any [scruple], then, apart from any strength of our credulity, the summit [subsists], with new things ever succeeding and dissolving the old established ones. For when the inventions of the paternal rules are despised, and the firmness of the things that have been well established is not vindicated, it is necessary that impiety of this kind ever come upon the faith. For where there is easy dissolution of a condemnable establishment, there every form of holiness is corrupted, Christ is assailed, and (what faithful person could bear this patiently?) the revered institutions of the fathers are trampled. 4. And who would not, by a just choice, set death before such a life? Where is the adorable reverence of the catholic faith? Where are the dogmas established by the much blood of the holy ones? Where is the faithful authority of the ancient doctors? Where is that astonishing patience of religious minds, content to be stripped of their own goods, lest they fall from the hope of the eternal inheritance, as though seeking out sufferings, lest they be judged unworthy of that incorruptible good? For there are no greater proofs of faith than when the reckoning of the time persuades one to subject life to suffering: and therefore he who has deserved for its sake to undergo the peril of persecution shows himself worthy of the heavenly soldiery. Christ purchased us by the pious price of his blood, freedom of grace being granted, while human works find nothing they might render worthy of so great a reward. And therefore where there is injury to religion, out of love of the faith one must transcend every affection. Let each one therefore look upon exiles and wanderings as home and fatherland, lest, held back by human longings, he be deprived of the fellowship of Christ. Behold the time in which the faith demands back her soldiers and [kindles] to her defense those who have attained the fervor of grace! Let us judge faith herself to say: Behold the longed-for time, behold the gathering of fruits desired of the faithful, which recompenses great gifts for small sufferings! 5. We would desire to exhort your charity at greater length, for the dispensation entrusted to us: but what need is there of the goads of the voice, where we are [encouraged] by the apostolic and the fathers' examples to bear sufferings magnanimously for Christ, who through the losses of human things have shown us the increases of heavenly virtues? Therefore let us proclaim undaunted the bright disciplines of the Church with great confidence. Far be from us the saying of the prophet who declares: And the priests have concealed the truth. For who does not know that the knowledge of the disciples is to be required from the teachers, and that what is not [proclaimed harms?] its followers, and that this is perilous for those who keep silence? For it cannot be but that the truth labors among those with whom the lie does not openly lie hidden under the color of truth; great is the strength toward the faith of those who fight, so long as the sentences pronounced against them are not [openly] asserted. 6. But concerning you we choose to say better things: that the things which have been done amiss through the wicked may, through you, obtain the remedy of correction. For it is not so hard a thing for one to be deceived, as for the deceived to persist in error. This too is graver than all evils, when members are cut off from their own body. For even if disease does not seize every limb one by one, it is nevertheless necessary, according to the apostolic voice, that the whole body be weighed down in part. Wherefore the communion of the condemned is to be fled, according to the same apostle: Let no one blush at the profession of the faith; it is the strength of [salvation] to everyone who believes. Let us turn aside from the sacrilegious error of Eutyches, agreeing with the Manichaean malice; let us shun also with equal intention the communion of those who have been brought up by such men, [error] which now tries to creep in, as though by contagion, into the churches of your parts. For let no one, to avoid being separated along with the aforesaid, dissemble that he bears the tempest, so that, separated from their communion, he may enter the port of the true faith. 7. These things indeed I admonish as one loving, not accuse as persecuting out of hatred. For he who blames what is to be censured but supplies nothing useful, betrays rather the zeal of one reproaching than the affection of one loving: and he who exhorts to things to be done points out more vehemently the image of a good purpose, inviting that useful things may be sought more fervently. On which account, brethren, desiring the unity of that Church and presuming upon the blessed comeliness of holy concord, let us say with holy David: How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell in unity: and that the apostle Paul may have said of you: But you are all brethren in the one Christ. For if this unity does not return, let no one doubt that the same things will nevertheless come to pass which lately came to pass in the church of Constantinople; over which it is alike necessary for me to groan and to keep silence. For they who believed that the admonition of the apostolic see was to be neglected have deservedly fallen into those things which are wont to befall the destitute of consolation. 8. If anyone therefore, thinking of his own salvation, begins to keep the apostolic judgments, when he has separated himself from the defilement of the aforesaid, let him know without doubt that he is a partaker of our communion: because if he does not remove himself from the fellowship of those whom the apostolic see has condemned, let him know that by no color, by no pretense, and by no craftiness can he steal into the keeping of the Church: because, just as we gladly embrace those who dissociate themselves from the poisons of the above-written, that is, of Eutyches, Dioscorus, Timothy, Peter, and Acacius, so concerning the followers of those men our care and solicitude ever keeps watch, lest they be able to creep in. In another hand: May God keep you safe, most dear brethren! Given on the eighth of the Ides of October, after the consulship of Felix, the most illustrious man.

Symniachi papae ad Orientales. ^g Oct^ £o9 cBnmunionU suae nunquam participes fore rescribit, qui quovis colore a damnaiorum, h, e, EutychetiSy Dioscori, Timothei, Petri et Acacii societate divelli noluerint, Dilectissimis^) fratribus universis episcopis, pre- sbyteris, diaconis, archimandritis et cuncto ordini»et plebi per Illyricum, D^rdaniam et^) utramque Daciam Symmachus. 1. Quod') plene fieri cupimus, si quae scribimus impleantur, nullus stupeat servatum hactenus nos nunc solvisse silentium, quum prudentissimi Salomonis ista vox personet: Tempus loquendi, et tempus Eccles. tacendi. Quia tacitumitatem praesens tempus expugnat: nam inter*) ea^ quae accidimt nunc, silere nec fidei stimulis excitari, magni constat esse fastidii. Quippe ubi religionis reverentia et summa concutitur, aptum juxta divinam Scripturam dicere, eos qui sunt ^^^\ mites, debere esse pugnaces. Est^) siquidem et spiritualis quaedam ' ') Ita 6' a'. At Basil. et Daciam constitutis Symmachus Homanus episcopus, faroiiiaB autem et utramque Thraciam consistentibus Symmachus episcopus. Cui quodam modo iayet, quod in Hormisdae epist. 22 ad Avitum n. 3 et 4 cum llIjrTicis et Dardanis Thraces conjunguntur et a schismate simul discessisse nar- rantur. Sed hujusmodi mutatio praeter mss. fidem fieri nou debet. ■) Ita G* b; ed. Basil. omittit Quod — compleantur ^ immediate incipiens NuUms gtupeat, Simili sententia incipiunt tres Gelasii epistolae, scilicet Felicis II epist. 17 et 18 et Gelasii epist. 3. \ Dei causa proditur: verum admodum bel/aces sunt atque in confligendo acres et AJUCAJU UXIUU Ck 0\J\iX\:%tfJkVC X^tktUlXJXXXMK! V^XUAUiLUlVFXLiO %;jk.\,XO%MO COl>« \J rarum noii praedicator congregatio Calchedonensis saucti c quae Eutychetem et Dioscorum^ duo nomina famosa et magni fidiaC; unius sententiae integritate danmavit^ iniquitatis ooi uno spiritu divinis dbgmatibus adversa?) luctantes? QuisPel Tiniotheimi praefatorum vernulas iguoravit^ propugnatores ii nis addictae^ auctores ac magistros suos crebro^) errore Yim Illum Timotheum loquimur patricidam^ qui sanctae recoh Proterio superstite^ non solum ecclesiam non religiosis auc occupavit^ verum etiani effusionem pii sanguinis ad crimen p* nis^) adjecit. Ipsius nempe danmationem universalis est E< Yox locutii^")^ dimi cum nomine quoque Christiani honoris i Ciijus Petnmi sequacem uotum fecenmt ortliodoxonim plurini siones^ in quibus ille virtutem animi sui exsultavit ostendei vit^') hunc Ephesus cum tota societate Dioscori, ubi cum pi feroces. Sic quaediun IJilarii Pictavionsis scripta fcrocem spirare videi inum, quem tiunen natura tnitetn et placidum fuitsc Rufiniis H. E. I, dicat. ') G* quae Nestorii inquam, cd. Bas. et sequ. qua yestorii coniagiom verit (c' seq. (aboravit)'f Nestorii inquam, Mox Q* magnopere fidei m tentiae. ®) G' crebro errorcy a* crebro ferro, b scevo errore, ed. Bas. et 8e< errore, nescio an melius. Hoc enim sibi vult, , Timotheum Aelurnm et Eutjchetia et Dioscori discipulos, ipsis quidera errore pares, sed saevi proprium opiscopum l^oterium intcrfecorunt ct interfectum indigne tn luisse Buperiorcs. Timothetts et Petrus veniunt Alexandriam, et ordinatur ab haereiicis 2 episcopus, Duo igitur apud Alexandriam episcopi esse coeperuni^ is wak vasor cimi Proterio; cui crimini Timotheus postea ipsummet Proterii EPISTOLA 13. ■ 719 )re peccati finem sancti Flaviani operatus innotuit. Tacenda a. 512. Antiochiae mala^ ubi per alteriud Petri nefanda ludibria reve- im^^) saperdotii nomen irrisum est. Quis Apameae et Tyri fcuS; tragicis criminibus comparandos^ vel si solis vacet; digna b lamentatione deflere? Quid^^) Acacium? Qui quasi boni sui 10 gravatus^ quae Basilisco imperante praemiserat; novo exem- »oenae deprehensus est adversus seipsum dicens sententiam: illos ta voluntate defendens, quos prius gloriosum putavit addicere**), borans sociare fidelibus^ quos dudum haereticos manifestae prae- ationis Ostenderat; propter'^) quos maxime fugiendus et de- .to superius damnatorum agmini coaequandus^ illa^ propter quae 3 probatus est esse, dissolvens^ et permixtus hiS; per quae laesio jsiae generalis evenit. 3. Adversus hos si patrum dogmata ratio suadet esse servanda^ ate^ si possunt ea majori transgressione calcari^ quam nunc jos, qui in partibus vestris Eutychetis dogmata recidiva^®) re- tant. Si vero tamquam infirme constitutae") sententiae sine ulo negUguntur, citra uUum robur creduUtatis nostrae^») summa »co sequitur: l^ ut Pctrum Mongum adhuc diaconum DioBCOrus, qui eum Liberato c. 15 ordinarat, secum ad Ephesinum latrocinium perduxerit; ibi Petrus Flaviani necis praecipuus rainister fuerit; 3® ut Flavianus Ephesi, ue non in exsilio, finem vivendi fecerit. Nisi forte Petrus ideo Ephesi bni finem operatus dicatur, quia ille ob ea, quae ipso operante Ephesi i est, brevi post in exsilio vitam finierit. ) G' perferendum^ a^ praeferendum , et infra vel si soH subjaceij pro solis Hic perstringitur, quo pacto Petrus FuUo quum in Antiochenam sedem irit, Johannem quemdam Apamenis ordinavit, qui ab ipsis non receptus, chia ipsum Petrum episcopatus sui auctorem expulit, ac demum ab 0 Tyriis praefectus fuit, ut apud Gelasium tract. I n. 12 memoriae pro- est. ) In edit. Basil. Quid de Acacio? Quaevis lectio arridet, supplendum est '. Deinde ed. Bas. et Rom. Quae de bonis suis fasHno quodam gravatig ba- coimperante praemiserai, novo exemplo poenae, G* b^ seq. sequimur, nisi pene in poenac mutavimus. ) b ad marg. abjicere, quasi hoc mallet, quam addicere, quod tamen Sym- ) pro damnare familiare est. Sic Timotheum et Petrum supra vocat pro- tores inteniioms addiclae y id est, causae damnaiae, Acacius epist. 8 ad Sim- tn non modo Timotheum Aeluriun sed Petrum etiam Mongum damnandos It ) G' a^ propier quos maxime fugiendos et designato ... coaequandos illa ... ■e dissolvens ei permixius ... per quae; ed. Basil. cum b' propter quos (b^ quod) fiendus ... coaequandus ille (b^ Ula) ... esi dissolvens, petmixius ... per quos. ) Ita G* a' ed. Basil. At b rediviva^ rejecto ad oram recidiva. ) G* b* c^ sq. inftrme (G* infirme) constituia senientia sine piaculo (G* peri- Sanior est lectio edit. Basil. et Rom. 1 a* vestrae, ac subinde etiam Basil. nobis pro novis, Idem in gratiam , quae a majoribus instituta sunt, argnmentum jam fuse prosecutus Sym- 8 epist. 3 n. 1. a. 512. subsistit, seniper succedeiitibus novis vetera constituta solventibus. Quando enim patemarum regularum despiciuntur inventa^ nec eonut^ quae bene instituta sunt firmitas vindieatur, hujusmodi impietatem**' "^ necesse est fidei semper venire. Nam ubi facilis dissolutio est td&^m nabilis constituti, ibi onmis sanctitatis forma corrumpitur, Chrisii^ impetitur, et (quis hoc fidelium patienter accipiat?) instituta patruiM reverenda calcantur. 4. Et quis non vitae mortera justa electione praeponat? U^ catholieae fidei adoranda reverentia? Ubi multo^®) cruore sanct^ rum dogmata constituta? Ubi doctorum veterum fidelis auctoritaS Ubi illa religiosarmn mentium stupenda patientia, propriis boD» contenta nudari, ne de spe aeternae haereditatis excideret, quasp= ambiens passiones, ne incorruptibilis illius boni judicaretur indi Nam nulla majora documenta simt fidei, quam ubi temporis rai suadet vitam subdere passioni: et ideo qui pro ea periculum secutionis subire meruerit, dignum se coelestis ostendit esse militi Christus nos pio sanguinis pretio comparavit gratiae libertate cessa, nihil invenientibus humanis operibus, quod dignum t&smm mercede tribuerent^*). Atque ideo ubi religionis injuria est, amore fidei onmem transcendere oportet affectum. Unusquisque ergo exsilia et peregrinationes tamquam domiK patriamque respiciat, ne desideriis retentus humanis, Christi soci^ tate privetur. Ecce tempus, quo repetit fides milites suos et inczrr niat ad defensionem sui fervorem gratiae consecutos! Fidem ips^ dicere judicemus : Ecce tempus optabile^ ecce fructuum congregati» ^ siderata ftdelium, parvis passionihus munera magna compenset! 5. Pluribus caritatem vestram pro dispensatione nobis crecUli cuperemus hortari : sed quid opus est vocis stimulis, ubi ad toleran- das pro Christo magnanimiter passiones apostolicis et patrum ioet mur exemplis, qui per danma humanarum rerum, coelestium nohis ostenderunt augmenta^-) virtutum? Ergo pronuntiemus intrepiii claras Ecclesiae cum magna fiducia disciplinas. Longe sit a nobis '^'^^J^"- prophetae sermo dicentis: Et sacerdotes vera celaverunt. Quemeniin \ latet, discipulorum scientiam a doctoribus exigendam, et quod non '•)b c' seq. impietates ... siipervenire. ConcinniuB G* a* ed. Bas. imfieM» (G ' impietate) . . . semper venire (i. e. evenire), scil. semper succedeniibus, pn veten constituta solvant, ut proxime dictum est. *") Ed. Basil. muHorum ore sanctorum. Moxque G* comipte Jam ntdla mdt rum doatmenta. »') Ita G' b c^ c»o. Ed. Bas. et Rom. trihueret. ") Ita G' a' ed. Bas. At Bar. argumenta^ rejecto ad marg. augmenta, qoM vox apto opponitur superiori damna. luBasil. edit. poat duas illas vocei aagittnU virtutum proxime subjicitur: Ergo pronuntiemus inter alia et dicamus cum «nrit David: Ecce quam bonum et quam Jucundum habitare fratres in vnum etc. ut infitt. multis praetermissis. EPISTOLA 13. - 721 antiatum laedit^^) sequaces^ hoc periculosiun esse tacentibus?a. 512. sse est enim apud eos laborare veritatem^ apud quos non mani- tom latet sub veritatis colore mendacium; magnum robur ad gnantium fidem; quamdiu adversus eos prolatae sententiae non ter asseruntur. 5. Sed de vobis dicere optomeliora: ut ea, quae per improbos isa sunt, per vos correptionis ^^) remedium consequantur. Non am durum decipi quem, quam deceptum in errore persistere. m hoc et malis omnibus gravius, quum a corpore suo membra ntiunt. Nam etsi non singillatim occupet omnia lineamenta itas, necesse est tamen juxta apostolicam vocem totum corpus ^220 arte praegravari. Unde addictorum^*^) fugieuda communio juxta im apostolum : Pronuntiationem fidei ntillus erubescat; virtus est ^ ^^ omni credenti, Declinemus sacrilegum Eutychetis errorem cum chaea malitia congruentem; communionem quoque eorum, qui a talibus educati, pari intentione vitemuS; quae-®) nimc quasi 0 a contagio ecclesiis partiimi vestrarum tentat irrepere. Ne- ) enim separari cum praedictis, ferre tempestatem dissimulet, 3 portum verae fidei ab eorum communione separatus introeat. 7. Quae quidem amans moneo, non odio persequens^^) accuso. qui culpauda vituperat nec utilia subministrat; exprobrantis b potius studium, quam amantis affectum: et qui cohortatur ad itura, vehementius boni propositi designat imaginem^ ut fer- us utilia expetantur invitans. Propter quod, fratres, iUius m Ecclesiae desiderantes unitatem, et beatum decorem sanctae ^rdiae praesumentes , dicamus cum sancto David: Quam honum^^^ lam jucundum hahitare fratres in unum: et ut de vobis aposto- Paulus dixerit: Vos autem omnes fratres in Christo uno ^5/15. (Tal.3,2S. ic enim unitas non redeat, nuUus ambigat eadem^^) nihilominus ') Ita G* b. At a^ dedit sequaces, moxque b c^ c^° ?ioc constai periculosum. ) G* rorreptionis, editi correctionis. Mox b qucmquam quam. ) a' dictorum, G' b addiciorum i. e. damnntoimm. ) Ita G^ a'. At b c' c'^ Qui nunc quasi morbus et contagium . . . teniant. ) Qaod restituit Bar. Nemo se separei cum praediciis ei ferre, ac Lab. reti- abesse videtur a mente Symmachi. Mutatione leviori opportunior effice- sententia in huuc modum: nemo timens separnri cum prnedictis (haereticis imunione catholica remotis) ferre tempestatem (in Oriente grassantem) rfw- U ita ut eorum dissimulet errorem, et ab eorum communione non recedat. ) Ita G' b; a^ persequentis. Mox pro et qui cohortatur magis placeret d. ) Ita G' a' ed. Basil. At b c"' tandem et ad marg. eadem. Quae Constan- ►11 contigerunt in Macedonii expulsione, de qua Evagrius H. E. III, 32 et lorus lector pag. 663 consulendi, Symmachus hic notat. Ula autem ex- a Marcellino comite ad Felicis consulatum, hoc est ad annum 511, refer- Cadem re ipsa hoc ipso anno 512 Antiochiae ejecto Flaviano aliisque lis accidisse idem Marcellinus tradit. iTOLAB BOMAN. PONTIF. I. 46 722 - , S. SYMNAHCI PAPAE a. 512. esse yentura, quae iu Constautinopolitana nuper ecclesia contig^ runt; de quibus mihi pariter ingemiseere necesse est et tacere. Nam qui apostolieae sedis admonitionem negligendam esse credid^ runt, merito inciderunt in ea, quae evenire solent solatio desbtatis. 8. Si quis ergo salutem propriam cogitans servare copit apo- stolica judicia, quum a praefatorum se labe sejuuxerit, nostrae com- munionis se noverit sine dubitatione participem: quia si ab eorum, quos apostolica sedes damnavit, non se societate removerit, sciat nullo colore, nullo figmento nullaque calliditate ecclesiasticae se ' custodiae posse subrepere : quia sicut illos, qui se a suprascriptorum hoc est Eutychetis, Dioscori, Timothei, Petri et Acacii venenis dis- sociant, libenter amplectimur, ita circa istorum sectatores cura et sollicitudo nostra, ne subrcpere possint, semper invigilat. St alia mana: Deus vos incolumes custodiat, fratres carissimi! Data octavo Idus Octobris post coiisulatum Felicis viri clarissimi.