Epistulae

Accordingly, lest this should be attempted any further, and lest this pernicious habit, which owes its introduction to certain persons' negligence, should result in the overthrow of many souls, by this our authoritative injunction we charge you, brother, to give diligence that a synod of the clergy of your province be convened, and all, whether...

Leo, bishop of the city of Rome, to all the bishops appointed in Campania, Picenum, Etruria, and all the provinces, greeting in the Lord. I. Introduction.

The brotherly love of our colleagues makes us read with grateful mind the letters of all priests ; for in them we embrace one another in the spirit as if we were face to face, and by the intercourse of such epistles we are associated in mutual converse. But in this present letter the affection displayed seems to us greater than usual: for it inf...

Leo to all the bishops set over the provinces of Italy greeting. I. Many Manichæans have been discovered in Rome.

Leo, the bishop, to Dioscorus, bishop of Alexandria, greeting. I. The churches of Rome and Alexandria should be at one in everything.

Our Lord Jesus Christ, Saviour of mankind, instituted the observance of the Divine religion which He wished by the grace of God to shed its brightness upon all nations and all peoples in such a way that the Truth, which before was confined to the announcements of the Law and the Prophets, might through the Apostles' trumpet blast go out for the ...

Leo, bishop of the city of Rome, to all the bishops of Mauritania Cæsariensis in Africa, greeting the Lord. I. The disorderly appointments of bishops which have been made in the province are reprehensible.

Leo, bishop of the City of Rome, to Anastasius, bishop of Thessalonica. I. Prefatory.

Leo, bishop, to Turribius, bishop, greeting. Your laudable zeal for the truth of the Catholic Faith, and the painstaking devotion you expend in the exercise of your pastoral office upon the Lord's flock is proved by your letter, brother, which your deacon has handed to us, in which you have taken care to bring to our knowledge the nature of the ...

Leo the bishop to all the bishops throughout Sicily greeting in the Lord. I. Introductory.

Forbidding the sale of church property except for the advantage of the church Leo, the pope , to all the bishops of Sicily. The occasion of specific complaints claims our attention as having the care of all the churches, that we should make a perpetual decree precluding all bishops from adopting as a practice what in two churches of your provinc...

Leo, bishop of the city of Rome, to Januarius, bishop of Aquileia. Those who renounce heresy and schism and return to the Church must make their recantation very clear: those who are clerics may retain their rank but not be promoted. On reading your letter, brother, we recognized the vigour of your faith, which we already were aware of, and cong...

Leo, bishop, to Dorus Bishop of Beneventum his well-beloved brother. I. He rebukes Dorus for allowing a junior presbyter to be promoted over the heads of the seniors, and the first and second in seniority for acquiescing.

He thanks him for his information about the revival of Nestorianism and commends his zeal. Leo, the bishop, to his dearly-beloved son, Eutyches, presbyter. Eutyches was an abbot in Constantinople.

God the Word is before all else my witness, being confident of my hope and faith in Christ the Lord and God of all, and discerning the proof of my holding the truth in these matters: but I call on your holiness, too, to bear witness to my heart and to the reasonableness of my opinions and words. But the wicked devil has exercised his evil influe...

The first from Flavian, Bp. of Constantinople to Pope Leo. I.

Seeing that our most Christian and merciful Emperor, in his holy and praiseworthy faith and anxiety for the peace of the Catholic Church, has sent us a letter upon the matters which have roused the din of disturbance among you, we wonder, brother, that you have been able to keep silence to us upon the scandal that has been caused, and that you ...

How much protection the Lord has vouchsafed His Church through your clemency and faith, is shown again by this letter which you have sent me: so that we rejoice at there being not only a kingly, but also a priestly mind within you. Seeing that, besides your imperial and public cares, you have a most devout anxiety for the Christian religion, les...

Nothing, as you know, most beloved of God, is more precious to priests than piety and the right dividing of the word of truth. For all our hope and safety, and the recompense of promised good depend thereon. For this reason we must take all pains about the true Faith, and those things which have been set forth and decreed by the holy Fathers, th...

An acknowledgment of Flavian's first letter and a promise of a fuller reply Leo to Flavian, bishop of Constantinople. On the first opportunity we could find, which was the coming of our honourable son Rodanus, we acknowledge, beloved, the arrival of your packet , which was to give us information about the case which has been stirred up to our gr...

Having read your letter, beloved, at the late arrival of which we are surprised , and having perused the detailed account of the bishops' acts , we have at last found out what the scandal was which had arisen among you against the purity of the Faith: and what before seemed concealed has now been unlocked and laid open to our view: from which it...

He notifies the appointment of his representatives at the Council of Ephesus To Cæsar Theodosius, the most religious and devout Augustus Leo pope of the CatholicChurch of the city of Rome. How much God's providence vouchsafes to consult for the interests of men is shown by your merciful care which, incited by God's Spirit, is unwilling that ther...

How much protection the Lord has extended to His Church through your clemency, we have often tested by many signs. And whatever stand the strenuousness of the priesthood has made in our times against the assailers of the Catholic Truth, has redounded chiefly to your glory: seeing that, as you have learned from the teaching of the Holy Spirit, yo...

He acknowledges their zeal and refers them to the Tome To his well-beloved sons Faustus, Martinus, and the rest of the archimandrites, Leo the bishop. As on behalf of the faith which Eutyches has tried to disturb, I was sending legates de latere to assist the defense of the Truth, I thought it fitting that I should address a letter to you also,...

Leo, bishop, to the holy Synod which is assembled at Ephesus The devout faith of our most clement prince, knowing that it especially concerns his glory to prevent any seed of error from springing up within the Catholic Church, has paid such deference to the Divine institutions as to apply to the authority of the Apostolic See for a proper settle...

Leo, the bishop, to Julian Bishop of Cos, the bishop, his well-beloved brother. I. Eutyches is now clearly seen to have deviated from the Faith.

1. Eutyches' heresy involves many other heresies. Leo, bishop of the city of Rome to his well-beloved brother, Julian the bishop.

Unity of Faith is essential but the point at issue hardly required a general council, it is so clear Leo to Theodosius Augustus. On receiving your clemency's letter, I perceived that the universal Church has much cause for joy, that you will have the Christian Faith, whereby the Divine Trinity is honoured and worshipped, to be different or out o...

He acknowledges the receipt of a letter and advises mercy if Eutyches will recant. Leo to Flavian, bishop of Constantinople. When our brethren had already started whom we dispatched to you in the cause of the Faith, we received your letter, beloved, by our son Basil the deacon, in which you rightly said very little on the subject of our common a...

He rebukes Flavian for not answering his repeated letters. Leo, the bishop, to Flavian, the bishop. Flavian was the Patriarch of Constantinople Our anxiety is increased by your silence, for it is long now since we received a letter from you, beloved: while we who bear a chief share in your cares , through our anxiety for the defense of the Faith...

He approves of their having unanimously elected Ravennius, Bishop of Arles. To his well-beloved brethren Constantinus Audentius, Rusticus, Auspicius, Nicetas, Nectarius, Florus, Asclepius, Justus, Augustalis, Ynantius, and Chrysaphius , Leo the pope. We have just and reasonable reason for rejoicing, when we learn that the Lord's priests have don...

He asks him to deal with the imposture of a certain Petronianus. Leo the Pope to his well-beloved brother Ravennius. We wish you to be circumspect and careful lest any blameworthy presumption should put forth undue claims: for, when it once finds an entrance by crafty stealth, it spreads itself into greater rashness in the name of the dignity it...

Already and from the beginning, in the synods which have been held, we have received such freedom of speech from the most holy Peter, chief of the Apostles, as to have the power both to maintain the Truth in the cause of peace, and to allow no one to disturb it in its firm position, but at once to repel the mischief. Since then the council of bi...

Leo, the bishop, and the holy Synod which is assembled at Rome to Theodosius Augustus. I. He exposes the unscrupulous nature of the proceedings at Ephesus.

Leo, the bishop, and the holy Synod which is assembled in the City of Rome to Pulcheria Augusta. I. He sends a copy of the former letter which failed to reach her.

If Paul, the herald of the Truth, the trumpet of the Holy Ghost, had recourse to the great Peter, in order to obtain a decision from him for those at Antioch who were disputing about living by the Law, much more do we small and humble folk run to the Apostolic See to get healing from you for the sores of the churches. For it is fitting that you ...

When on our very arrival in the ancient city, we were engaged in paying our devotion to the most blessed Apostle Peter, at the martyr's very altar, the most reverend Bishop Leo waiting behind awhile after the service uttered laments over the Catholic Faith to us, and taking to witness the chief of the Apostles himself likewise, whom we had just ...

Leo the bishop to the clergy, dignitaries, and people, residing at Constantinople. Though we are greatly grieved at the things reported to have been done recently in the council of priests at Ephesus, because, as is consistently rumoured, and also demonstrated by results, neither due moderation nor the strictness of the Faith was there observed,...

Leo, the pope, to the dearly-beloved brethren Constantinus, Armentarius, Audientius, Severianus, Valerianus, Ursus, Stephanus, Nectarius, Constantius, Maximus, Asclepius, Theodorus, Justus Ingenuus, Augustalis, Superventor, Ynantius, Fonteius, and Palladius. I. The Bishop of Vienne has anticipated their appeal.

We have kept our sons Petronius the presbyter, and Regulus the deacon, long in the City, both because they deserved this from their favour in our eyes, and because the needs of the Faith, which is now being assailed by the error of some, demanded it. For we wished them to be present when we discussed the matter, and to ascertain everything which...

Ceretius, Salonius and Veranus to the holy Lord, most blessed father, and pope most worthy of the Apostolic See, Leo. I. They congratulate and thank Leo for the Tome.

Leo, the bishop, to Theodosius ever Augustus. I. He suspends his opinion on the appointment of Anatolius till he has made open confession of the Catholic Faith.

Leo, bishop of the city of Rome to Pulcheria Augusta. I. He rejoices at Pulcheria's zeal both against Nestorius and Eutyches.

Leo, the bishop, to Anatolius, the bishop. We rejoice in the Lord and glory in the gift of His Grace, Who has shown you a follower of Gospel-teaching as we have found from your letter, beloved, and our brothers' account whom we sent to Constantinople: for now through the approved faith of the priest, we are justifying in presuming that the whole...

Although I have replied already to your Grace by the hand of the Constantinopolitan clergy, yet on receiving your clemency's mercy through the illustrious prefect of the city, my son Tatian, I found still greater cause for congratulation, because I have learned your strong eagerness for the Church's peace. And this holy desire as in fairness it...

Leo, the bishop, to the bishop Anatolius. Although I hope, beloved, you are devoted to every good work, yet that your activity may be rendered the more effective, it was needful and fitting to dispatch my brothers Lucentius the bishop and Basil the presbyter, as we promised, to ally themselves with you, beloved, that nothing may be done either ...

Leo, the bishop, to Paschasinus, bishop of Lilybæum. I. He sends a copy of the Tome and still further explains the heterodoxy of Eutyches.

Leo, the bishop of the city of Rome, to the holy Synod, assembled at Nicæa. I had indeed prayed, dearly beloved, on behalf of my dear colleagues that all the Lord's priests would persist in united devotion to the Catholic Faith, and that no one would be misled by favour or fear of secular powers into departure from the way of Truth; but because ...

Your clemency's religious care which you unceasingly bestow on the Catholic Faith, I recognize in everything, and give God thanks at seeing you take such interest in the universal Church, that I can confidently suggest what I think agreeable to justice and kindness, and so what thus far your pious zeal through the mercy of Christ has irreproacha...

The great and holy and universal Synod, which by the grace of God and the sanction of our most pious and Christ-loving Emperors has been gathered together in the metropolis of Chalcedon in the province of Bithynia, to the most holy and blessed archbishop of Rome, Leo. I. They congratulate Leo on taking the foremost part in maintaining the Faith.

This deals with much the same subjects as Letter 98 from Anatolius' own standpoint; Chapter 3 is translated here as illustrating Letter 98, Chapter 3. III. He describes the circumstances under which the doctrine of the Incarnation had been formulated by the Synod.

By the great bounty of God's mercy the joys of the whole Catholic Church were multiplied when through your clemency's holy and glorious zeal the most pestilential error was abolished among us; so that our labours the more speedily reached their desired end, because your God-serving Majesty had so faithfully and powerfully assisted them. For alth...

(To Pulcheria Augusta about the self-seeking of Anatolius.) I. He congratulates the Empress on the triumph of the Faith, but regrets the introduction of a new controversy into the Church. Leo the bishop to Pulcheria Augusta.

Leo, the bishop, to Anatolius, the bishop. Now that the light of Gospel Truth has been manifested, as we wished, through God's grace, and the night of most pestilential error has been dispelled from the universal Church, we are unspeakably glad in the Lord, because the difficult charge entrusted to us has been brought to the desired conclusion, ...

Leo, the bishop, to Theodore, bishop of Forum Julii. I. Theodorus should not have approached him except through his metropolitan.

The information which you give, brother, about the riotous doings of the false monks is serious and to no slight degree lamentable; for they are due to the war which the wicked Eutyches by the madness of deceivers is waging against the preaching of the Gospel and the Apostles, though it will end in his own destruction and that of his followers:...

Leo, bishop of Rome, to Julian, bishop of Cos. I acknowledge in your letter, beloved, the feelings of brotherly love, in that you sympathize with us in true grief at the many grievous evils we have borne. But we pray that these things which the Lord has either allowed or wished us to suffer, may avail to the correction of those who live through ...

How watchfully and how devotedly you guard the Catholic Faith, brother, the tenor of your letter shows, and my anxiety is greatly relieved by the information it contains; supplemented as it is by the most religious piety of our religious Emperor, which is clearly shown to be prepared by the Lord for the confirmation of the whole Church; so that,...

How much, beloved, you have at heart the most sacred unity of our common Faith and the tranquil harmony of the Church's peace, the substance of your letter shows, which was brought me by our sons, Marian the presbyter and Olympius the deacon, and which was the more welcome to us because thereby we can join as it were in conversation, and thus th...

Leo, the bishop, to his beloved brother Theodoret, the bishop. On the return of our brothers and fellow priests, whom the See of the blessed Peter sent to the holy council, we ascertained, beloved, the victory you and we together had won by assistance from on high over the blasphemy of Nestorius, as well as over the madness of Eutyches. Wherefor...

I do not doubt that your piety is aware how great is my devotion to the Catholic Faith, and with what care I am bound, God helping me, to guard against the Gospel of truth being withstood at any time by ignorant or disloyal men. And, therefore, after expressing to you my dutiful greetings which your clemency is ever bound to receive at my hands,...

Leo, the bishop, to the whole body of monks settled throughout Palestine. The anxious care, which I owe to the whole Church and to all its sons, has ascertained from many sources that some offense has been given to your minds, beloved, through my interpreters , who being either ignorant, as it appears, or malicious, have made you take some of my...

Your letter, beloved, which our brother and fellow bishop Nestorius duly brought us, has caused me great joy. For it was seemly that such an epistle should be sent by the head of the church of Alexandria to the Apostolic See, as showed that the Egyptians had from the first learned from the teaching of the most blessed Apostle Peter through his b...

Leo, bishop of the city of Rome, to Juvenal, bishop of Jerusalem. When I received your letter, beloved, which our sons Andrew the presbyter and Peter the deacon brought me, I rejoiced indeed that you had been allowed to return to the seat of your bishopric; but when all the reasons came to my remembrance, which brought you into such excessive tr...

Your clemency's letter, which was full of vigorous faith and of the light of truth, I have respectfully received, which I wish I could obey, even in the matter of my personal attendance, which your Majesty thinks necessary; for then I should gain the greater advantage from the sight of your splendour. But I believe you will approve of my view wh...

Leo to the Catholic Egyptian bishops sojourning in Constantinople. He encourages them in their sufferings for the Faith, and in their entreaties for redress to the Emperor. I have before now been so saddened by tidings of the crimes committed in Alexandria, and my spirit has been so wounded by the atrocity of the deed itself, that I know not wha...

Leo, the bishop, to Nicætas, bishop of Aquileia, greeting. I. Prefatory.

By the hand of Philoxenus agens in rebus. Leo the Bishop to Leo Augustus. I.

Rejoicing that it has been proved to me by many clear proofs with what earnestness you consult the interests of the universal Church, I have not delayed to obey your Majesty's commands on the first opportunity, by dispatching Domitian and Geminian my brothers and fellow bishops, who in furtherance of my earnest prayers, shall entreat you for the...

Leo, the bishop, to Neo, bishop of Ravenna, greeting. I. Those, who being taken captives in infancy cannot remember or bring witnesses of their baptism, must not be denied this sacrament.

1. He exhorts him to act with moderation towards two bishops who have offended him. Leo, the bishop, to Rusticus, bishop of Gallia Narbonensis.

If we should seek to reward your Majesty's glorious resolution in defense of the Faith with all the praise that the greatness of the issue demands, we should be found unequal to the task of giving thanks and celebrating the joy of the universal Church with our feeble tongue. But His worthier recompense awaits your acts and deserts, in whose caus...

Leo, the bishop, to Timothy, Catholic bishop of the church of Alexandria. I. He congratulates him on his election, and bids him win back wanderers to the fold.