Letter 1

From: Pope Symmachus, Bishop of Rome To: Aeonius, Archbishop of Arles Date: ~500 AD Context: Symmachus writes to the Archbishop of Arles confirming his vicariate authority over the Gallic church — a key moment in papal consolidation of authority over the west. Symmachus, bishop, to the most beloved brother Aeonius, archbishop of Arles. The authority entrusted to the see of Arles as vicar of the apostolic see in the Gallic provinces is confirmed by this letter and by all that our predecessors have established. You act in our name; the dignity of your see reflects the dignity of the chair of Peter. The exercise of this authority should be marked, as we have instructed repeatedly, by a combination of firmness on matters of doctrine and canonical order, and pastoral sensitivity in matters of discipline. The bishops under your oversight are not merely administrative subordinates; they are brothers whose concerns deserve genuine hearing. The vicar who hears without listening, who processes appeals without considering them, who maintains the form of collegial governance while its substance is empty — this vicar serves neither Rome nor the church. We are aware of several matters in the Gallic provinces that require your attention: disputed episcopal elections, questions about the reception of clergy who have functioned under Arian Visigothic authority, and the ongoing challenge of maintaining canonical order in a region where civil authority is increasingly fragmented. We trust your judgment in these matters and ask only that you keep Rome informed of the significant developments. Write to us frequently. Symmachus, bishop of Rome

%i^ct Symmachi papae ad Aeonium Arelatensem episeopuBL Ut ipse ei episcopus Viennenns Romam eertos homines mUtani, qui de ipio coniroversiis insiructi, sedi aposioticae alteganda suggerani, Dilectissimo fratri Aeonio Symmachus. Movit equidem nos^ quod dileetionis tuae relatio declai namque contra regulas ecclesiastici constituti et adyersus rey dum^) canonum tractatum per subreptionem Viennensis ecd pontificem^) de apostolica; dudum praesidente decessore nostro, culpabiter aliqua' meruisse; quimi; si sit yera conquestiO; effe non possint impetrata frivole possidere^ nec a nobis aliquid poterit ordinari^ nisi quae a patribus praedecessoribusque nosti hac causa statuta claruerint. Tamen ne facile alterius partii sentia praejudicabiliter videremur aliqua decrevisse; id magis dnx ordinandum, ut fratemitas tua competenti tempore de ecclesift ordine instructum non moretur ex') omni causa dirigere, qui ( nos veritatem causae competenter alleget; quatenus pertrac omnibuS; quod statuendum est^ sub deliberationis robore sanci( Hlud etiam dilectionem tuam facere debere praecipimus^ ut frai et coepiscopum nostrum Yiennensis urbis antistitem misso ni et scriptura commoneat^ ut constitutis diebus is quoque homi proprium dirigat^ qui partis ejus allegationes competenter insii ut depromptis ab utraque suggestionibuS; securius quae in perpei seryanda sint disponantur; quia semper suspectus judicat^ qui unius quod^) videtur eligit deploratione sancire. Dominus i nis e. Tertullus diaconus regionis a. Johannes diaconus regioms B. liem H Johannis diaconi quem ohtulii etc. Ex his oltimiB flEictam patamnB, ut e^ Johannes diaconus ... subscripsi loco quinto poduerit. — H* Ciiodatus, ') L' L^ pontificis sede apostolica (L^ sedi apostoHcae) dudum praesidaU i sore nro se inculpabiiiter aliqua ... conquisitio (L^ conquesiio), L* et editot ■ mur, niBi quod hi omisso dudum scripserimt praedecessore (c^^ deceuore) mo nostris hac causa, Non alium hic SymmachuB decessorem notat, at ex Mqi epistola apertum fiet, niai Anastasium. ') L' ex omni, L' L^ et omni, c^ seq. de omni, Petit Syminachiis, nt •& in urbem destinetur clericus de tota causa probe instnictat. EPISTOLAE 1—3. 655 m DQem custodiat; frater carissiine! Data sub^) die XTT Calendas a. 499. embris; post consulatum Paulini viri clarissimi.