Letter 13015

From: Pope Gregory I To: Paschasius, Bishop of Naples Date: ~603 AD Context: Gregory warns Paschasius not to allow Jews to hold games on feast days I have received word that Jews in Naples have been holding public spectacles and games on our feast days — and worse, that these entertainments have been attracting Christians. This cannot be permitted. The feast days of the Church are not occasions for spectacle and distraction; they are set apart for worship, rest, and the contemplation of holy things. I ask you to put a stop to this practice. I am not asking you to persecute the Jews in your city — they are to be treated justly and protected from violence — but they must not be permitted to hold public events that draw the faithful away from their religious observances. Act on this promptly.

Qui sincera intentione extrancos ad christianam religionem ad fidem*' cupiunt rectam adducere, blandimcntis debent, non asperitatibus studere^, ne quorum mentem roddita plana'* ratio poterat provocare, pellat procul adversitas**; nam' quique* aliter agunt et^ eos hoc sub vehiminc a consueta ritus sui volunt cultura suspendere, suas illi* magis quam I)ei probantur*' causas attendere*^ ludaei siquidem Neapolim " habi- tantes questi nobis sunt asserentes, quod quidam eos a quibusdam feriarum suarum sollemnibus" inrationabiUter nitantur arcere, ne illis sit licitum festivitatum suarum sollemnia colere, sicut eis nunc usque et parentibus eorum longis retro temporibus licuit observare vel colere. Quod si ita se veritas habet, supervacuae rei videntur operam® adhibere. Nam quid utilitatis^ est, quando, et si contra longum^ usum fuerint vetiti, ad fidem illis et' conversionem nihil' proficit? Aut cur ludaeis, qualiter ceri- monias suas^ colere debeant", regulas ponimus, si per hoc eos lucrari non possumus? Agendum ergo est, ut ratione potius et mansuetudine provocati^ sequi nos velint, non fugere, ut eis ex eorum^ codicibus ostendentes quae dicimus ad simmi matris ecclesiae Deo possimus adiuvante convertere. Ttaque fraternitas tua eos monitis quidem, prout potuerit, Deo adiuvanto ad convertendum accendat* et^ de suis illos sollemnibus» inquietari denuo non permittat, scd omnes festivitates feriasquc suas, sicut hactenus tam ipsi quam parentes eorum per longa colentcs retro tempora tenuerunt*, liberam habeant observandi celebrandique licentiam.