Letter I, Roman Synod of 1 March 499

Acta of the Roman Synod of 1 March 499, in the basilica of the blessed Apostle Peter, presided by the venerable Pope Symmachus. Suggestio of the Archdeacon Fulgentius and Interlocutio of Pope Symmachus 1. After the consulship of Paulinus, the most distinguished man, on the day of the Kalends of March, in the basilica of […]

Letter CLXVII, from Pope Leo to Rusticus, Bishop of Narbonne

Leo, bishop, to Rusticus, bishop of Narbonne. Leo’s Preface: On Pastoral Perseverance, and the Method of Responding to the Inquiries I have gladly received the letters of your brotherhood, which your archdeacon Hermes delivered, and I have read them with careful attention. Having taken in the substance of your whole account and reviewed what took […]

Letter CLXVI, from Pope Leo to Neon, Bishop of Ravenna

Leo, bishop, to Neon, bishop of Ravenna. Chapter I: Children Taken Captive Before They Could Remember Whether They Were Baptized May Seek Baptism After Careful Examination We have often strengthened the wavering hearts of our brothers amid the uncertainty of various difficult questions — guided by the Spirit of God, drawing the form of our […]

The Constituta of Pope Gelasius I, Which the Bishops Receive at Their Ordination

The Constituta of Pope Gelasius, which the bishops receive at their ordination; in which, among other matters, the ordinations of Africans are prohibited — taken from the Diurnum Pontificum and from other manuscript codices worthy of trust. Pope [name], to the clergy, order, and people residing in [name of city], dearly beloved sons, greetings in […]