Letter V, from Pope Leo to the Metropolitan Bishops of Illyricum
Leo to the most beloved brother bishops established as metropolitans throughout Illyricum. I. Illicit Attempts Against the Canons Must Be Prudently Forestalled Before They Are Made Every salutary admonition that we believe comes with the Lord’s inspiration benefits both the one who gives it and the one who receives it — and so we undertake […]
Letter VI, Fifth Roman Synod of 6 November 502 (Constitutum on the Preservation of Church Property)
Acta of the Roman Synod held in the basilica of the blessed Apostle Peter on 6 November 502, presided by Pope Symmachus. With the venerable Pope Symmachus presiding, more than seventy Italian bishops were in attendance — among them Laurentius of Milan, Petrus of Ravenna, and Eulalius of Syracuse, whose names are preserved with the […]
Letter X, from Pope Symmachus to the Emperor Anastasius
The Apologetic of Symmachus, Bishop of Rome, against Anastasius the Emperor. Chapter I: The Precedent of Ambrose’s Response to Gratian; The Christian Prince Must Patiently Hear the Apostolic Prelate’s Voice To a letter of the emperor Gratian of august memory, blessed Ambrose responded in eight books, since on behalf of the Catholic faith it did […]
Letter XVI, from Pope Symmachus to Caesarius, Bishop of Arles
Symmachus to the most beloved brother Caesarius. Chapter I: Symmachus Confirms the Privileges of the Church of Arles and Grants Caesarius Vicariate Authority over the Gallican and Hispanic Regions, Reserving Matters of Higher Difficulty to the Apostolic See He who guards the venerable statutes of the fathers shows himself a friend of religion in its […]
Letter XIV, from Pope Symmachus to the Bishops of Gaul
Symmachus to the most beloved brothers, all the bishops established throughout Gaul. Chapter I: The Apostolic See’s Established Institutions Urge Roman Solicitude for the Universal Church; Caesarius Has Appeared at the Threshold of the Church of the Blessed Apostle Peter Seeking Renewal of Privileges The established institutions of the Apostolic See urge Us to proclaim […]
Letter XII, from the Eastern Bishops to Pope Symmachus
The Eastern Church to Symmachus, Bishop of Rome. Chapter I: Christ the Good Shepherd Seeks the Lost Sheep; The Chair of the Prince of the Apostles Christ Entrusted to Your Beatitude That good Lord and lover of mankind, our Lord Jesus Christ, who out of His kindness toward us bowed the heavens and descended to […]
Letter XV, from Pope Symmachus to Caesarius, Bishop of Arles
Symmachus to the most beloved brother Caesarius. Chapter Headings (As Preserved in the Hispanic Collection) Introduction: Caesarius’s Petition Asks That Established Canons Be Reaffirmed by the Apostolic See The fairness of your petition urges Us to consent gladly to the desire of Your Brotherhood, because in each particular you petition that this be granted by […]
Letter, from Leontius, Bishop of Arles, to Pope Hilarius
Letter of Leontius, bishop of Arles, to Pope Hilarius. That death has taken away your most holy predecessor Leo — who kept watch against heresies and uprooted the tares that were sprouting all too thickly, alas, in the Lord’s field — we grieve; that he has repaired the loss through Your Holiness, we rejoice. For […]
Letter V, from Pope Hilarius to Leontius, Bishop of Arles
Hilarus, bishop, to his most beloved brother Leontius. How much reverence — in the Spirit of God, who indwells the priests subject to Him — is owed to the blessed Apostle Peter and to his See, I judge to be known to all who hold the incorrupt guardianship of paternal traditions. Since therefore We wish […]
Letter, from the Bishops of Tarraconensis to Pope Hilarius
To the most blessed lord, Pope Hilarus, worthy of apostolic reverence, honored by us in Christ: Ascanius and all the bishops of the province of Tarraconensis. Even if no necessity of ecclesiastical discipline compelled us, we would in truth have sought out that privilege of your See, by which — after the keys of the […]
Acts of the Second Roman Council under Pope Gelasius I (13 May 495), at which Misenus of Cumae was Absolved
The Second Roman Council, in which Misenus is absolved by Gelasius and fifty-five bishops, in the year of the Lord 495, on the third day before the Ides of May. Convocation With Pope Gelasius, a man worthy of veneration, presiding in the synod, together with Bonifacius, Maximinus, Epiphanius, Basilius, Vitalis, Clarus, Irenæus, Decius, Asellus, Euplus, […]
