Letter 10046

From: Gregory the Great, Pope, in Rome To: John, Bishop of Syracuse [Sicily] Date: ~600 AD Context: Gregory instructs Bishop John to ensure that the ex-consul Leontius does not suffer injustice. Gregory to John, bishop of Syracuse. I am writing on behalf of Leontius, the ex-consul. Reports suggest that he may be subjected to unjust treatment, and I ask you to use your position to prevent this. A man of Leontius's standing who is facing injustice has recourse through the normal legal channels, but he also deserves the support of the church when the church can provide it. Your position as bishop gives you both access and influence that could make a real difference here. Intervene on his behalf. Ensure that whatever process he is involved in is conducted fairly. And let me know what the outcome is. Gregory

AD JOANNEM EPISCOPUM SYRACUSANUM. Agat ne apud | Leontium exconsulem injuslum aliquid patiatur Crescentius vicarius. Gregorius Joanvi episcopo Syracusano. Cum lator prixsentium Crescentius * vicarius no- s16r, quem ad $e lilius noster gloriosissimus LQ7G domnus Leontius exconsul precepit occurrere, exire de s$eplis venerabilibus dubitaret, ne qua per eum excusalio aliis fortasse nasceretur, aut publica dice- relur ulilitas impediri, ei ut egredi debuisset, 2qui- tate servala, permilli ſecimus. Et jdeo quia bzc illi Scientes gralia paterna vos scripta $uscipere, i illud peragere studeamns, gloriam veslram ultro non est dubium operari, quia filiorum nostrorum deside- ria non palimur contristari. Et ideo quia glorious filius nosler Apollonius, magister militum , Jator presentium, nostris se apud vos voluit apicibus commendari, salulantes g'oriam vestram paterna di- lectione, petimus ut salva ratione gratiam ve>tri ſa- voris inveniat, et patrocinii opem in quocunque ne- cesse fuerit consequatur, quatenus dum gloria vesira ea quz sponle consuevit impeudere nostr:e quoque commendationi presliterit, et jpse $e oplatum in vobis LYQ77 gaudeat invenire subsidium, et nos uberes sincerissimaz bonilati vestre gratias rele- res, sicut jussus fuerat, illic suasit occurrere, ſrater- C ramus. nitas vesira ei salva ratione concurrat, atque apud predictum gloriosissimum Domnum vesirum agere cum ea qua consuevit charitate studeat, ut in nullo eum contra leges aut rationem patiatur aliquo modo pregravari; sed jusliliam ei, sicut Christiavilati ejus convenit, in omnibus faciat custodiri, quatenus et ipse ad mercedem $uam, quod zquitatis ordo exigit, videatur salubriter servasse, et hic se contra ea que promitti ſecimus, gravari non sentiat. (Vide ep. 50.) EPISTOLA XL YII. AD JOANNEM SYRACUSANUM EPISCOPUM. Apollonium magisirum militum commendat. Gregorius Joanni episcopo Syracusano. Þ Scriptum indicat non causa mortis emissum, $ed adhibitis testibus firmatum. Adrevaldus, de translat.