Letter 8018: It has come to our ears — a thing shocking to be told — that some in your parts worship trees, and perpetrate many other unlawful things contrary to the Christian faith. And we wonder why your Fraternity has delayed correcting this by strict punishment. On this account we exhort you by this present writing to cause these persons to be sought out...

Gregory to Agnellus, Bishop of Terracina. I have received shocking reports: some people in your area are worshipping trees and engaging in other practices utterly contrary to the Christian faith. I am at a loss to understand why your Fraternity has not already moved to stamp this out with firm discipline. I urge you by this letter: launch a thorough investigation, find these people, and punish them severely enough that God may be appeased and their example serves as a warning to others. I have also written to the Viscount Maurus, instructing him to provide you with whatever support you need -- so you will have no excuse for failing to apprehend them. One more matter: I hear that many people are claiming exemptions from keeping watch on the city walls. Your Fraternity must not allow anyone to be exempted -- whether under the name of our church, your church, or any other pretext. Everyone must take their turn on the walls, so that the city's defense may be properly maintained with the Lord's help.

Book VIII, Letter 18 To Agnellus, Bishop of Terracina. Gregory to Agnellus, etc. It has come to our ears — a thing shocking to be told — that some in your parts worship trees, and perpetrate many other unlawful things contrary to the Christian faith. And we wonder why your Fraternity has delayed correcting this by strict punishment. On this account we exhort you by this present writing to cause these persons to be sought out by diligent enquiry, and such vengeance to be executed on them that both God may be pacified and their punishment may be an example of rebuke to others. We have written also to Maurus the Viscount that he should afford aid to your Fraternity in this matter, that so you may be unable to find any excuse for not apprehending them. Further, as we find that many excuse themselves from keeping watch over the walls, let your Fraternity be careful to suffer no man, either under the name of our or your Church, or under any other pretext, to be exempted from keeping watch: but let all generally be compelled, to the end that, while all keep watch, the custody of the city may, by the help of the Lord, be the better provided for. 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/360208018.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.