Letter CI, from Bishop Anatolius of Constantinople to Pope Leo
To the most holy and most blessed father and fellow minister, archbishop of ancient Rome, Leo: Anatolius, in the Lord, greetings. Chapter I: Anatolius Reports That the Proceedings Have Been Sent to Rome and Praises Leo’s Solicitude for the Faith The zeal of your holiness for piety, and your solicitude for the right faith — […]
Letter XCVIII, from the Chalcedon Synod to Pope Leo
The holy, great, and universal Synod, gathered by the grace of God and the sanction of our most pious and Christ-loving emperors in Chalcedon, metropolis of the province of Bithynia, to the most holy and most blessed Leo, Archbishop of the Romans. Chapter I: The Synod Declares Leo Established as the Interpreter of the Voice […]
Letter XCV, from Pope Leo to Empress Pulcheria
Leo, bishop, to Pulcheria Augusta. Chapter I: Leo Recognizes Pulcheria’s Devotion and Reports the Dispatch of His Legates to the Synod Your clemency’s religious solicitude, devoted without ceasing to the Catholic faith, I fully recognize; and I give thanks to God for the great care you show for the universal Church, most glorious Augusta. And […]
Letter XCIII, from Pope Leo to the Synod at Chalcedon
Leo, bishop, to the holy Synod established at Nicaea, most beloved brothers in the Lord, greetings. Chapter I: Leo Notes That Neither Time Nor Custom Permits His Attendance but Declares He Will Be Present in His Legates and Preside Through Them I had desired, most beloved, for the charity of our college, that all bishops […]
Letter LXXX, from Pope Leo to Bishop Anatolius of Constantinople
Leo, bishop, to Anatolius, bishop. Chapter I: Leo Rejoices in Anatolius’s Proven Faith; The Acts Are Approved; Leo’s Emissaries Returned After Easter We rejoice in the Lord and glory in the gift of His grace — which, as we learned from the letters of your charity and from the report of our brothers whom we […]
Letter LXXIX, from Pope Leo to Empress Pulcheria
Leo, bishop of the city of Rome, to Pulcheria Augusta. Chapter I: Pulcheria’s Twofold Victory Over Nestorius and Eutyches What we always presumed of your holy piety’s mind we have confirmed fully by experience: the Christian faith — though assailed by the diverse snares of the perverse — cannot be disturbed, with you present and […]
Letter LXXVII, from Empress Pulcheria to Archbishop Leo
To Leo, most reverend bishop of the Church of the glorious city of Rome — Pulcheria, most venerable Augusta. Anatolius Has Subscribed to the Tome; A Synod to Be Held with Leo as the Authority; Flavian Buried in the Basilica of the Apostles; Exiled Bishops Recalled [Editorial note:] Sacred letters were sent by Pulcheria of […]
Letter LVI, from Empress Galla Placidia to Emperor Theodosius
To the lord Theodosius, victorious and triumphant, ever Augustus and son — Galla Placidia, most pious and flourishing, ever Augusta and mother. Leo at Peter’s Altar, Weeping for the Faith, Surrounded by Bishops He Has Gathered Throughout Italy When upon entering the ancient city We had given Our veneration to the most blessed Apostle Peter, […]
Letter LI, from Pope Leo and the Roman Synod to the Archimandrites of Constantinople
Leo, bishop, and the holy Synod convened in the city of Rome, to Faustus, Martinus, Petrus, and Emmanuel, presbyters and archimandrites of Constantinople, most beloved sons in the Lord. Urge to Hold Firm in Faith and with Flavian; Ephesus II’s Acts Are Invalid Though the things we wrote regarding solicitude for the Constantinopolitan Church might […]
Letter L, from Pope Leo and the Roman Synod to the People of Constantinople
Leo, bishop, and the holy Synod convened in the city of Rome, to the clergy, honorable men, and people of Constantinople, most beloved sons in the Lord. Chapter I: The Report of Hilarus; The Presumption of One Man Wounded the Universal Church The things done contrary to all expectation at Ephesus have come to our […]
Letter XLIX, from Pope Leo to Bishop Flavian of Constantinople
Leo, bishop, to Flavian, Bishop of Constantinople. Leo Consoles Flavian and Promises Action How greatly your beloved endures for the defense of the Catholic faith we have learned through the deacon who fled from Ephesus — greatly grieving. God, however, who strengthens you by the grace of his power, cannot fail to grieve for those […]
Letter XLV, from Pope Leo and the Roman Synod to Empress Pulcheria
Leo, bishop, and the holy Synod convened in the city of Rome, to Pulcheria Augusta. Chapter I: Leo Sends Copies of the Suppressed Letters; The Integrity of the Catholic Faith Must Not Be Violated If the letters directed to your piety for the cause of the faith through our clergy had reached you, it is […]
Letter XLIII, from Pope Leo to Emperor Theodosius
Leo, bishop, to the most glorious and clement Emperor Theodosius. Chapter I: Leo Complains of the Ephesine Robbery From the beginning, in councils held, we have received such confidence from the blessed Peter, Prince of the Apostles, that we have authority to defend the truth for our peace, so none may disturb it, fortified as […]
Letter XLII, from Pope Leo to Bishop Ravennius of Arles
Leo, bishop, to the most beloved brother Ravennius. Petronianus the Fraud Is to Be Expelled from All Churches’ Communion We desire you to be vigilant and solicitous, lest any blameworthy presumption claim what it may — gaining entry through false pretenses and then extending to greater temerity under the guise of a usurped dignity. Through […]
Letter XXXI, from Pope Leo to Empress Pulcheria
Leo, bishop, to Empress Pulcheria Augusta. Chapter I: Leo Urges Pulcheria’s Zeal Against Eutyches We have often proven by many examples how great a protection the Lord has prepared for His Church through Your Clemency. Whatever priestly zeal has achieved against those who have assailed Catholic truth in our times redounds chiefly to your glory […]
Letter XXX, from Pope Leo to Empress Pulcheria
Leo, bishop, to Pulcheria, Empress. Chapter I: Eutyches Has Erred Against the Truth of Christ’s Human Nature; His Error Must Be Removed Before It Spreads The Church of God has great cause for confidence in the faith of Your Clemency, proven so many times and by so many examples: taught by the Holy Spirit, you […]
Letter XXVIII, to Flavian, Bishop of Constantinople – The Tome of Leo
Leo, bishop, to the most beloved brother Flavian, bishop of Constantinople. Chapter I: Eutyches’s Ignorance of Scripture Led Him into Heresy Having read your beloved’s letters, which We marvel arrived so late, and having reviewed the account of the episcopal proceedings, We have at last come to understand the scandal against the integrity of the […]
Letter XXIII, from Pope Leo to Flavian, Bishop of Constantinople
Leo, bishop, to the most beloved brother Flavian. Chapter I: Flavian’s Silence Is Reproved; Flavian Should Have Reported to Rome First The most Christian and clement emperor, zealous for the peace of the Catholic Church with holy and praiseworthy faith, sent us letters about the disturbances that have arisen among you. We marvel that your […]
Letter XIX, from Pope Leo to Dorus, Bishop of Beneventum
Leo, bishop, to the most beloved brother Dorus. Chapter I: Dorus Is Reproved for Disrupting the Order of the Presbyterate We grieve that the judgment We had hoped for from you has been frustrated, as We perceive you to have committed acts that culpably corrupt the rule of ecclesiastical sanctions with novelty. You know well […]
Letter XVIII, from Pope Leo to Januarius, Bishop of Aquileia
Leo, bishop of the city of Rome, to Januarius, bishop of Aquileia. Reading the letters of your brotherhood, We recognized the vigor of your faith, known to Us before now, and We rejoice that you vigilantly expend your pastoral care on the flock of Christ, guarding against wolves who enter in sheep’s clothing (Matt. 7:15), […]
