Letter 6017: Gregory to Theotistus, kinsman of the Emperor. We know that the Christianity of your Excellency is always intent on good works and therefore we provide for you occasions for reaping reward, which you are certain to be glad of, so that we by so providing may have a share in your merits. We therefore inform you that John the presbyter, the bearer ...

Gregory to Theotistus, kinsman of the Emperor. I know that the devotion of your Excellency is always directed toward good works, and so I offer you an occasion to reap a reward -- one I am certain you will welcome -- so that by providing this opportunity I may share in your merit. I inform you that the priest John, the bearer of this letter, has been cleared of the charges brought against him. After holding a council at his request and subjecting his faith to rigorous examination, I found him guilty of no wrong confession. Since he proved to be, by God's mercy, a believer and follower of the true faith, I absolved him by definitive sentence -- especially since his accusers admitted they did not know what the Marcionist heresy they spoke of actually was. Saluting you with fatherly affection, I ask you to protect him with the favor of your patronage. Should anyone hereafter attempt to trouble him needlessly or cause him grief over this matter, let the advocacy of your Excellency shield and defend him -- all the more earnestly in consideration of your own reward before God -- so that unjust persecution may no longer consume him, and the Creator and Redeemer of the human race, whom you worship with sincere faith, may count your action on his behalf among your many good deeds. The month of October, Indiction 14.

Book VI, Letter 17 To Theotistus. Gregory to Theotistus, kinsman of the Emperor. We know that the Christianity of your Excellency is always intent on good works and therefore we provide for you occasions for reaping reward, which you are certain to be glad of, so that we by so providing may have a share in your merits. We therefore inform you that John the presbyter, the bearer of these presents, has come out free from those by whom he had been accused. For having, according to his request held a council, and subjected his faith to a subtle scrutiny, we found him guiltless of any wrong confession. And, inasmuch as he appeared to be, by the mercy of God, a professor and follower of the right faith, we absolved him by our definite sentence; especially as his accusers professed that they did not know what the heresy of the Marcionists, which they spoke of, was. On this account, saluting you with paternal affection, we request you to protect him with the grace of your favour. And, lest any one hereafter should be disposed to afflict him to no purpose, or in any way to cause him annoyance in this matter, let the advocacy of your Excellency so protest and defend him — and this the more instantly in consideration of your own reward — that no unjust affliction may any more consume him, and that the Creator and Redeemer of the human race, whom you worship with a sincere confession, may recompense your action in this behalf among your many good works. The month of October. Indiction 14. About this page Source. Translated by James Barmby. From Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, Vol. 12. Edited by Philip Schaff and Henry Wace. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1895.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight. <https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/360206017.htm>. Contact information. The editor of New Advent is Kevin Knight. My email address is feedback732 at newadvent.org. (To help fight spam, this address might change occasionally.) Regrettably, I can't reply to every letter, but I greatly appreciate your feedback — especially notifications about typographical errors and inappropriate ads.