Letter VIII, Libellus of John the Deacon to Pope Symmachus
Libellus of Coelius John, deacon of the Roman Church, presented in his own handwriting to Pope Symmachus on 18 September 506, recanting his temporary separation from the Church during the Laurentian schism, anathematizing Peter of Altinum and Laurentius the antipope, and submitting himself to ecclesiastical retribution should he ever again attempt the like. I, Coelius […]
Letter V, Fourth Roman Synod (Synodus Palmaris) of 23 October 501
Translator’s note: The Latin of this synodal document is, even by Thiel’s standards, unusually compressed and difficult — particularly in sections 7 through 9, where the original passes through long periodic constructions and dense ablative absolutes. Readers consulting the document for technical theological or canonical purposes should compare it against the Latin in Thiel’s edition […]
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 VI, from Pope Anastasius II to the Bishops of Gaul
To the most beloved brothers, all the bishops established throughout Gaul, Anastasius pope. Chapter I: The Communion of Catholic Bishops; The Heresy Reported by Aeonius of Arles 1. Good and pleasant is the Davidic word: For brethren to dwell together in unity (Ps. 132:1). For although spaces of lands separate us in distance, yet by […]
Letter V, Libellus from the Alexandrian Apocrisiarii to the Roman Legation
To the most glorious and most excellent patrician Festus, and to the venerable bishops Cresconius and Germanus, sent from the city of Rome together with his power in legation to the most clement and Christ-loving Emperor Anastasius — Dioscorus presbyter of the venerable church of Alexandria, and Chaeremon lector, serving as the apocrisiarii of the […]
Letter I, from Pope Anastasius II to the Emperor Anastasius I
Bishop Anastasius to the Most Glorious and Most Clement Son Anastasius Augustus. Exordium: The See of the Most Blessed Peter Holds in the Universal Church the Primacy Assigned to It by the Lord God At the beginning of my pontificate I bear, as my first announcement, the peace offered to the peoples. I therefore come […]
Letter CLXVIII, from Pope Leo to All Bishops Established Throughout Campania, Samnium, and Picenum
Leo to all bishops established throughout Campania, Samnium, and Picenum. Chapter I: Baptism Is to Be Conferred Only at Easter and Pentecost, Except in Cases of Urgent Mortal Necessity I am moved with great indignation, and deeply grieved, that some among you have so far forgotten the apostolic tradition and — bent on the license […]
Letter CLXV, from Pope Leo to Emperor Leo
Leo, bishop, to Leo, Augustus. Chapter I: Leo Fulfills His Promise of a Fuller Exposition of the Faith, That the Ember of Meditation May Flame Into Light I recall promising you, venerable emperor, in the matter of the faith about which I know your piety to be devoutly concerned, that a fuller account of my […]
Letter CLXIV, from Pope Leo to Emperor Leo
Leo, bishop, to Leo, Augustus. Chapter I: Leo Sends His Legates to Petition for the Church’s Liberty and Insists That the Chalcedonian Definition Not Be Reopened Rejoicing that it has been made clear by many plain proofs how deeply you care for the welfare of the universal Church, I have complied, as soon as I […]
Letter CLXIII, from Pope Leo to Anatolius, Bishop of Constantinople
Leo, bishop, to Anatolius, bishop. Chapter I: Leo Rebukes Anatolius for His Displeasure, Exposes Atticus’s Evasion, and Prescribes the Exact Terms of Valid Recantation Having read the letter you sent through our son Patritius the deacon, I can see that you are displeased with the diligence of my solicitude, which, as countless experiences of your […]
Letter CLXI, from Pope Leo to the Presbyters, Deacons, and Clergy of the Church of Constantinople
Leo to the presbyters, deacons, and clergy of the Church of Constantinople. Chapter I: Leo Praises the Clergy’s Steadfastness and Urges Them to Remain United and Free from All Heretical Company I am greatly delighted by the steadfastness of your faith, made known to me, in which I glory in the Lord; and I understand […]
Letter CLVII, from Pope Leo to Anatolius, Bishop of Constantinople
Leo to Anatolius, bishop of Constantinople. Chapter I: Leo Urges Anatolius to Press the Emperor Without Ceasing for the Liberation of the Alexandrian Church Having again received the letters of your charity, I have learned with great sorrow all the things that have been done most insanely at Alexandria — though indeed no pages of […]
Letter CLVI, from Pope Leo to Emperor Leo
Leo, bishop, to Leo, Augustus. Chapter I: No Reopening of the Faith After Chalcedon — To Do So Would Be to Overthrow What the Universal Church Has Received I have received with reverence the letters of your clemency, full of the strength of faith and the light of truth — and I would wish, in […]
Letter CLV, from Pope Leo to Anatolius, Bishop of Constantinople
Leo to Anatolius, bishop. Chapter I: Leo Commends Anatolius’s Diligence and Urges Continued Vigilance, Having Again Addressed the Emperor on the Church’s Behalf We approve the diligence of the necessary solicitude which your brotherhood employs in directing letters to us, and from the pages received through our son Olympius we perceive that a priestly care […]
Letter CLI, from Pope Leo to Anatolius, Bishop of Constantinople
Leo, bishop, to Anatolius, bishop. Chapter I: Leo Acknowledges Anatolius’s Steadfastness and Commends His Diligence in Keeping Rome Informed We acknowledge with gratitude the faith and steadfastness of your charity, by which you have withstood the snares of the heretics; and therefore we exhort you with all the greater confidence to stand firm also in […]
Letter CXLIII, from Pope Leo to Anatolius, Bishop of Constantinople
Leo, bishop, to Anatolius, Bishop of Constantinople. Let Not the Remnants of Heretics Lurking in the City Be Nourished by Excessive Mildness and Revive I gladly receive the offices of charity from your dilection — and I exhort you to exercise them more frequently: since it pertains to the benefit of the whole Church when […]
Letter CXLI, from Pope Leo to Julian, Bishop of Cos
Leo, bishop, to Julian, Bishop of Cos. Chapter I: Carosus Corrected in Faith but Still in Discord With Anatolius; Joannes Sent to Egypt — Report the Outcomes Through our son Gerentium I have received the letters of your brotherhood — in which, with your customary devotion, you report what you rightly judge to pertain to […]
Letter CXXXIX, from Pope Leo to Juvenal, Bishop of Jerusalem
Leo, bishop of the city of Rome, to Juvenal, Bishop of Jerusalem. Chapter I: Leo Congratulates Juvenal’s Return but Names His Prior Tergiversation; the Holy Places Themselves Are a Rebuke to Eutychian Error Having received the letters of your dilection — brought to me by our sons Andrew the presbyter and Peter the deacon — […]
Letter CXXXVI, from Pope Leo to Emperor Marcian
Leo, bishop, to Marcian Augustus. Chapter I: Leo Thanks Marcian; Reports That He Has Responded to Anatolius; Notes That Anatolius Attributes the Fault to Others The manifold grace of your clemency’s letters has been received by me with due reverence, and I gladly acknowledge how pious a care for the Christian religion — as is […]
Letter CXXXV, from Pope Leo to Bishop Anatolius
Leo, bishop, to Anatolius, Bishop of Constantinople. Chapter I: Anatolius’s Own Silence Separated Him From Leo’s Fellowship; Marcian Pressed the Matter to Its Fulfillment Had your charity held firm and unwavering in the care of our common grace, nothing would have arisen to cause you any anxiety. Reason did not permit me to spurn the […]
