Letter 2007: Caesarius, bishop, to his most holy lord, the Pope Ruricius, most deserving to be honored among the lights of Christ...

From: Caesarius, bishop of Arles To: Ruricius, bishop of Limoges Date: ~505 AD Context: Caesarius of Arles — one of the most important bishops in Gaul — writes to Ruricius expressing disappointment that Ruricius could not attend a synod, and gently rebuking him for not even sending a representative to sign on his behalf. Caesarius, bishop, to his most holy lord, the Pope Ruricius, most deserving to be honored among the lights of Christ and most dearly longed for in Christ. While my spirit was deeply troubled that we did not have the benefit of your presence at the synod, my holy lord and brother, Bishop Verus, told me that he had sent you my letter through his deacon from Agde. I have no recollection of receiving it — I do not know through what accident or what negligence — but I take the holy lord my brother at his word and prefer to blame the bearer's carelessness. But even if you did send your most holy and longed-for letter, nevertheless, as you yourself well know, it would have been entirely proper for you to send a representative who could sign on your behalf, so that what your holy brothers decided could be confirmed in your person. But since I know with what holy, frequent, and devoted desire you wished to be present, I explained your intentions and holy will to all your brothers. For that reason nothing could be held against Your Piety. But though we did not have your desired presence, we did feel the support of your prayers. And so with this letter I greet you warmly, with the affection and honor you deserve, and I ask that you commend me to the Lord in your holy and illustrious prayers and merits.

VII. DOMNO SANCTO MERITISSIMO IN CHRISTI LUMINARIA PRAEPERENDO ET PLURIMUM IN CHRISTO DESIDERANDO PIISSIMO DOMNO RURICIO EPISCOPO CAESARIUS EPISCOPUS. Dum nimium tribularetur animus meus, quare ad synodum uestram praesentiam non meruimus obtinere, sanctus et domnus meus Uerus episcopus mihi dignatus est dicere, quod per suum diaconum mihi Agate uestras litteras destinasset, quas ego nescio quo casu aut qua neglegentia me non retineo suscepisse. sed tamen sancto et domno meo fratri uestro certissime credo et malo hoc portitoris neglegentiae inputare. sed licet sanctos et desiderabiles uestros apices miseritis, tam-en, sicut ipsi optime nostis, dignissimum fuerat, ut personam dirigeretis, quae ad uicem uestram subscriberet, et, quod sancti fratres uestri statuerunt, in persona uestra firmaretur. 2 pape S 3 domino v 5 postquam ante taediosam Kr., P ceteris litteris euanidis S tenue romore S sed harum] Sicharium Kr . 6 distinaui S 7 nuncii S reueletis v 8 conpacientis S perferentes S 10 integre S 12 suspitate S obtata S1 14 domino v 16 cesarius S 17 sinodum S 18 preseutiam S 20 agate uestras S, a caritate uestra suspicatur v distinasset S 21 reteneo S 22 domino v 23 mallo S negligentiae S 25 obtime S dirigeritis S 26 que S subscriberit S fratris S Sed quia noui, quam sancto et frequenti ac pio desiderio interesse uolueritis, omnibus fratribus uestris uotum uestrum et sanctam uoluntatem exposui, pro qua re nihil pietati uestrae uel potuimus uel debuimus inputare. sed, licet desiderabilem uestram praesentiam non habuerimus, orationum tamen uestrarum suffragia nos meruisse persensimus. et ideo his datis saluto plurimum affectu et honore, quo dignum est, et rogo, ut me sanctis et inlustribus precibus simul ac meritis domino commendetis, simulque indico pietati uestrae, ut, quia filius uester Eudomius, si potuerit, hoc elaborare desiderat, et superueniente anno Tolosa synodum Christo propitio habeamus, ubi etiam, si potuerit, Hispanos uult episcopos conuenire. et ideo orate, ut tam sancto desiderio suo dominus tribuere dignetur effectum. Sanctum uero et dulcissimum fratrem meum Capillutum presbyterum, amatorem et praedicatorem uestrum, uestrae sanctimoniae, quanta ualeo, insinuatione commendo et pro ipso uobis ingentes et uberes gratias ago, quia, quantum ipse adseruit, tantum se circa illum inpendit pia et sincera beniuolentia uestra, ut hoc nullus hominum possit exponere. nunc ergo. quia pro uestro desiderio aestuans pietatem uestram expetiit, dignum iudicaui, ut per ipsum humilitatis meae litteras destinarem, quo remeante, si Christus annuerit, apices uestros quasi caeleste munus desidero promereri. ora pro me.