Letter 7031: Gregory to Cyriacus, Bishop of Constantinople. We have received the letters of your Blessedness, which speak to us in words not of the tongue but of the soul. For they open to me your mind, which, however, was not closed to me, since of myself I retain experience of the same sweetness.

Gregory to Cyriacus, Bishop of Constantinople. Your Blessedness, I received your letter -- and it spoke not just in words but from the heart. It opened your mind to me, though in truth your mind was never closed to me; I carry the memory of that same warmth myself. For this I give constant thanks to Almighty God. If charity, the mother of all virtues, lives in your heart toward us, you will never lose the fruits of good works, since you hold the very root of goodness itself. Here, then, is how you can show that charity to me and to all your brothers: act quickly to set aside that title of pride [the title "Ecumenical Patriarch," which Gregory considered an arrogant overreach that undermined the equality of bishops] that has caused such grave offense throughout the churches. As Scripture says, "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:3), and again, "Give the enemy no opportunity for slander" (1 Timothy 5:14). True charity will be on display only when pride creates no division among us. For my part -- I call Jesus as my witness -- I have no desire to give offense to anyone, high or low. I want everyone to be great and honorable, so long as that honor does not diminish the honor of Almighty God. Anyone who seeks to be honored at God's expense earns no honor from me. To show you my good will, I have sent my son the deacon Anatolius to our most pious lords, to assure both their Piety and your Fraternity that I wish to harm no one in this matter. I seek only the humility that pleases God and the unity of the holy Church. And because the Antichrist, the enemy of God, is near, I am determined that he should find nothing of himself -- not in the conduct of priests, and not even in their titles. What has been newly introduced must be set aside, so that no trace of contention disturbs the peace of the Church.

Book VII, Letter 31 To Cyriacus, Bishop. Gregory to Cyriacus, Bishop of Constantinople. We have received the letters of your Blessedness, which speak to us in words not of the tongue but of the soul. For they open to me your mind, which, however, was not closed to me, since of myself I retain experience of the same sweetness. Wherefore I return thanks continually to Almighty God, since, if charity the mother of virtues abides in your heart towards us, you will never lose the branches of good works, seeing that you retain the very root of goodness. You ought, then, to show the beauty of this charity to me and to all your brethren by this good work in the first place — your hastening to discard that word of pride whereby grave offense is engendered in the Churches, thus fulfilling in all ways what is written, Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace Ephesians 4:3: and again, Give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully 1 Timothy 5:14. For then will true charity be displayed, if there is no schism among us through an example of pride. For, as for me, I call Jesus to witness in my soul, that to no one among men from the highest to the lowest do I wish to give occasion of offense. I desire that all should be great and honourable, yet so that their honour detract not from the honour of Almighty God. For whoever covets to be honoured against God to me is not honourable. But, that you may learn what good will I have towards your Blessedness, I have sent my son the deacon Anatolius to the feet of our most pious lords, for satisfying their Piety and your Fraternity that I desire to injure no man in this matter, but to keep the humility that is pleasing to God, and the concord of holy Church. And because Antichrist, the enemy of God, is near at hand, I studiously desire the he may not find anything belonging to himself, not only in the manners, but even in the titles of priests. Let then what has been introduced after a new fashion be removed in like manner as it was brought in, and peace in the Lord will remain with us inviolate. For what pleasantness, what charity, will there be among us, if we cheer ourselves up with words, while we are galled by facts? Let then your Holiness so act that we may feel in our inmost hearts the good things you speak of, to the end that, the hearts of priests being in unanimity, when we supplicate for the life of our most pious lords, we may be counted worthy to be heard all the more as peace illuminates your prayers before the eyes of God, and no stain of discord darkens them. 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/360207031.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.