Letter LIX, from Pope Leo to the Clergy and People of Constantinople

Leo, bishop, to the clergy, honorati, and people dwelling at Constantinople. Chapter I: Joy at Their Fidelity to Flavian; Those Who Deny Christ’s True Humanity Are Confederates of the Manicheans; Leo’s Fatherly Care Although the memory of what was recently done at the council of priests at Ephesus afflicts Us with much grief — seeing […]

Letter XV, from Pope Leo to Turribius, Bishop of Astorga

Leo, bishop, to Turribius, bishop, greetings. How laudably you are moved for the truth of the Catholic faith, and how carefully you expend your pastoral office’s devotion to the Lord’s flock — your brotherhood’s writings, delivered to us by your deacon, have fully shown Us, revealing to Our notice what you have taken care to […]

Letter VIII, from Emperors Theodosius and Valentinian III to Albinus

Emperors Theodosius and Valentinian, Augusti, to Albinus, Praetorian Prefect, for the second time. The Emperors Issue Perpetual Legislation Against the Manichaeans on the Basis of Pope Leo’s Tribunal The condemned superstition of the pagans — an enemy of public order and an adversary of the Christian faith — has not undeservedly stirred Our clemency to […]

Letter VII, from Pope Leo to the Bishops Throughout Italy

Leo, to all bishops established throughout the provinces of Italy, greeting in the Lord. I. Leo Discovers and Suppresses a Manichaean Community in Rome, and Reports His Actions to the Italian Episcopate We call you into the fellowship of Our solicitude, urging you to exercise vigilant pastoral care over the flocks entrusted to you, so […]

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 […]

Letter IV, from Pope Felix III to Peter the Fuller

To the Same. Peter the Fuller Is Deposed and Anathematized. Chapter I: The Indictment — Peter’s Novelty in Ignatius’s See; His Refusal of the Fathers and of Rome’s Letters Because you have chattered impiously with unbearable words, and have not judged it fitting to yield to the aforesaid holy Fathers who adorned the see of […]