Letter 68: 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.

From three Gallic bishops to St. Leo. 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. Having read your Excellency's letter — which you composed for instruction in the Faith and sent to the bishop of Constantinople [the famous Tome of Leo, which defined orthodox Christology] — we felt it our duty, enriched as we are by so great a wealth of doctrine, to pay our debt of thanks by writing to you at the very least. For we appreciate your fatherly concern for us, and confess that we are all the more indebted to your foresight because we now have the benefit of the remedy before experiencing the disease. Knowing that remedies applied after wounds have already been inflicted are nearly too late, you warned us with the voice of loving forethought to arm ourselves with these apostolic means of defense. We acknowledge frankly, most blessed pope, with what extraordinary kindness you have shared with us the deepest convictions of your heart, by which you secure the safety of others. While you extract the old Serpent's poison from the hearts of others, standing as it were on the watchtower of Love, you cry out with apostolic care and vigilance — lest the enemy catch us unaware and off guard, lest careless complacency leave us exposed to attack. Moreover, we who especially belong to you are filled with a great and indescribable delight, because this particular statement of your teaching is so highly regarded wherever the churches gather together. The unanimous opinion is that the primacy of the Apostolic See is rightly recognized there, from which the pronouncements of the apostolic Spirit still receive their authoritative interpretation. II. They ask him to correct or supplement their copy of the Tome. Therefore, if you think it worthwhile, we beg your holiness to review and correct any copyist's errors in this work — so valuable both now and for the future — which we have had copied onto parchment in our desire to preserve it. Or if you have developed any further thoughts in your zeal that would benefit all who read it, please arrange in your loving care for those additions to be included in this copy. That way, not only many holy brother bishops throughout the provinces of Gaul, but also many of your sons among the laity — who greatly wish to see this letter for the revelation of the Truth — may be allowed, when it is returned to us corrected by your holy hand, to transcribe, read, and keep it. If you see fit, we are eager for our messengers to return soon, so that we may more quickly receive good news of your health to celebrate. For your well-being is our joy and strength. May Christ the Lord long keep your eminence mindful of our humble selves, O holy Lord, most blessed father and pope most worthy of the Apostolic See. I, Ceretius, your adopted son, salute your apostleship, commending myself to your prayers. I, Salonius, your devoted follower, salute your apostleship, entreating the help of your prayers. I, Veranus, the servant of your apostleship, salute your blessedness, and beseech you to pray for me.

From Three Gallic Bishops to St. Leo. 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. Having perused your Excellency's letter, which you composed for instruction in the Faith, and sent to the bishop of Constantinople, we thought it our duty, being enriched with so great a wealth of doctrine, to pay our debt of thanks by at least inditing you a letter. For we appreciate your fatherly solicitude on our behalf, and confess that we are the more indebted to your preventing care because we now have the benefit of the remedy before experiencing the evils. For knowing that those remedies are nearly too late which are applied after the infliction of the wounds, you admonish us with the voice of loving forethought to arm ourselves with those Apostolic means of defense. We acknowledge frankly, most blessed pope , with what singular loving-kindness you have imparted to us the innermost thoughts of your breast, by the efficacy of which you secure the safety of others: and while you extract the old Serpent's infused poison from the hearts of others, standing as it were on the watchtower of Love, with Apostolic care and watchfulness you cry aloud, lest the enemy come on us unawares and off our guard, lest careless security expose us to attack, O holy Lord, most blessed father and pope, most worthy of the Apostolic See. Moreover we, who specially belong to you , are filled with a great and unspeakable delight, because this special statement of your teaching is so highly regarded wherever the Churches meet together, that the unanimous opinion is expressed that the primacy of the Apostolic See is rightfully there assigned, from whence the oracles of the Apostolic Spirit still receive their interpretations. II. They ask him to correct or add to their copy of the Tome. Therefore, if you deem it worth while, we entreat your holiness to run through and correct any mistake of the copyist in this work, so valuable both now and in the future, which we have had committed to parchment , in our desire to preserve it, or if you have devised anything further in your zeal, which will profit all who read, give orders in your loving care that it be added to this copy, so that not only many holy bishops our brethren throughout the provinces of Gaul, but also many of your sons among the laity, who greatly desire to see this letter for the revelation of the Truth, may be permitted, when it is sent back to us, corrected by your holy hand, to transcribe, read and keep it. If you think fit, we are anxious that our messengers should return soon, in order that we may the speedier have an account of your good health over which to rejoice: for your well-being is our joy and health. May Christ the Lord long keep your eminence mindful of our humility, O holy Lord, most blessed father and pope most worthy of the Apostolic See. I, Ceretius, your adopted (son?), salute your apostleship, commending me to your prayers. I, Salonius, your adorer, salute your apostleship, entreating the aid of your prayers. I, Veranus, the worshipper of your apostleship, salute your blessedness, and beseech you to pray for me. About this page Source. Translated by Charles Lett Feltoe. 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/3604068.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.