Resultados25 letters/passages
augustine_hippo · c. 423 · score 0.02
Augustine to Bishop Honoratus, greetings. You have asked me the most difficult practical question a bishop can face: when the barbarians approach, should the bishop flee? I have thought about this for a long time — longer than you might expect, because the question is not hypothetical for us in Africa. The barbarians a …
augustine_hippo · c. 423 · score 0.02
Their advance is relentless. The cities that stand in their path will face siege, destruction, and massacre. The bishops in those cities will face the question you have asked me. My answer, for myself, is this: I will not flee. I cannot. My people cannot flee, and I will not leave them. If the Lord takes me, he takes m …
basil_caesarea · c. 362 · score 0.02
To the bishops of the Western Church: Brothers, Even in the middle of everything we're suffering here, God has given me real comfort. Bishop Athanasius [the great champion of Nicene orthodoxy, then bishop of Alexandria] forwarded your letters to me, and they were exactly what I needed to read. Your faith is solid. You …
synesius_cyrene · c. 411 · score 0.02
To Anastasius. I have not been able to do anything for the presbyter Evagrius — nor for anyone else who came to me for help during the rule of Andronicus. That man turned our province into a tyranny and made the bishop's office powerless. [This long, detailed letter describes the full extent of Andronicus's crimes and …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.02
King Theoderic to the Emperor Anastasius. [1] It befits us, most merciful Emperor, to seek peace, since we are known to have no cause for anger — for that man is already bound by his own conduct who is found unprepared for what is just. In every kingdom, tranquility ought to be desired, in which both peoples flourish a …
basil_caesarea · c. 362 · score 0.02
Faithful bishops have been driven into exile, and wolves have been installed in their places, tearing apart Christ's flock. The churches stand empty; the wilderness is full of weeping congregations [under Emperor Valens, pro-Arian policies led to the exile of Nicene bishops and the suppression of orthodox worship acros …
hormisdas · c. 514 · score 0.01
Hormisdas to the Emperor Anastasius Augustus. Delivered by the bishops Ennodius and Fortunatus, the priest Venantius, the deacon Vitalis, and the notary Hilarus. It is right and beneficial that Your Serenity exercises the sharp focus of imperial authority not only in administering the affairs of the republic but, ennob …
hormisdas · c. 514 · score 0.01
Reply of the Senate of the City of Rome to the Emperor Anastasius Augustus. Delivered by Theopompus and Severianus, men of distinction. If the devotion of suppliants is always the first thing rulers look for, unconquered Emperor, and if the favor of one's lords is won by obedience alone, then you will surely recognize …
leo_great · c. 441 · score 0.01
This is contrary to the canons and the tradition of the Fathers — and it must stop. The same rule applies to all sacred orders without exception: after a proper interval, a man being ordained priest or deacon must have advanced through all the lower clerical ranks in sequence, so that he has time to learn what he will …
gregory_great · c. 590 · score 0.01
One more thing: I've urged our gracious lords [the Emperor and Empress] as forcefully as I can to allow you to come here to Rome — to the threshold of Peter, prince of the apostles — with your full dignity restored, and to live with me for as long as God wills. For however long I am given to be near you, we could ease …
synesius_cyrene · c. 402 · score 0.01
To Anastasius [one of Synesius's closest friends and an important courtier in Constantinople, tutor to the children of Emperor Arcadius]. Some god or argument or spirit has persuaded Sosenas that certain places attract or repel divine blessings. Since things have not gone well for him in our part of the world, he has c …
hormisdas · c. 514 · score 0.01
Hormisdas to the Emperor Anastasius Augustus. You tell me, most merciful Emperor, that your mind is consumed with eager longing until the hoped-for restoration of unity is achieved. The desire for salvation is a good thing, and the intention that commends itself to God in this way is praiseworthy. It is indeed a partic …
hormisdas · c. 514 · score 0.01
For even with silent lips, the person who seeks to be confirmed or corrected through the apostolic and spotless faith and through qualified preachers proclaims the radiance of a good will. Nevertheless, although there is no precedent for this in any previous age, and although no parallel case has been committed to book …
leo_great · c. 441 · score 0.01
Leo to his beloved brother Anastasius. The brotherly love of our colleagues means we read letters from our fellow priests with a grateful heart. Through correspondence we embrace one another in spirit as though face to face. But your letter stood out — the affection in it was greater than usual, for it gave a full acco …
hormisdas · c. 514 · score 0.01
Hormisdas to the Emperor Anastasius Augustus. Thanks be to the power above, which through the words of Your Piety has seen fit to end a long silence, granting us such a beginning to our exchange that we may both rejoice at the prosperity of Your Clemency and trust that, God willing, the holy church can return to unity. …
synesius_cyrene · c. 406 · score 0.01
To Anastasius [one of Synesius's closest friends, an important courtier in Constantinople and tutor to the children of Emperor Arcadius]. I am overjoyed — and for what reason, do you think? From the bottom of my heart I rejoice to hear that those golden children have by imperial decree become legally your own. This is …
leo_great · c. 442 · score 0.01
This must not continue. The appointment of one who is to govern all must proceed from the consent of all. A man who is to preside over a community must be chosen by that community. Otherwise he will be rejected or despised by those over whom he was imposed, and a peace that should have been preserved will be disturbed …
hormisdas · c. 514 · score 0.01
Hormisdas to the Emperor Anastasius Augustus. Delivered by Severianus. Your Clemency is right to trust, as your glorious letter conveyed to me, that your republic will especially prosper if the cause of orthodox faith is placed before all other business. This is indeed the wisest course for a ruler who has taken up the …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
King Theodoric to Anastasius, Governor [Consularis]. It is fitting that Your Sublimity show steadfast obedience to our commands, so that what is arranged by sound planning may be carried through to effect. A wise man knows how to fulfill his duties with moderation and to manage delegated tasks with practical skill, wit …
leo_great · c. 441 · score 0.01
On ordination standards Hold the helm entrusted to you firmly, brother, and keep your attention on everything within your charge — protecting what will earn you reward and resisting those who try to undermine canonical discipline. Throughout the provinces committed to you, let only those men be consecrated who are comm …
leo_great · c. 442 · score 0.01
Leo to his beloved brother Anastasius, Bishop of Thessalonica. I. He reminds him of his appointment as papal vicar and its responsibilities The divine kindness has so ordered it, dear brother, that some things are administered by us in person and some things are executed through you as our representative, so that by di …
gregory_great · c. 599 · score 0.01
Gregory to Anastasius, Bishop of Antioch. I received the letter of your Fraternity, firmly professing the faith, and I gave great thanks to Almighty God. Even when the shepherds of his flock change, he still guards the faith he once delivered to the holy Fathers. The excellent preacher Paul says, "No one can lay any fo …
gregory_great · c. 590 · score 0.01
Gregory to Anastasius, Patriarch of Antioch. Your Blessedness, your letter was like rest to the exhausted, medicine to the sick, water to the thirsty, shade to someone burning in the sun. Your words didn't feel like they came from a human tongue at all — it was as though your very soul were speaking directly, laying ba …
leo_great · c. 441 · score 0.01
While each metropolitan retains his authority to ordain within his province, the ordination of metropolitans themselves must be conducted only after careful and considered judgment. We demand particular excellence in those who preside over their fellow priests. Attend to this with all diligence, so that you may be seen …
gregory_great · c. 596 · score 0.01
Gregory to Anastasius, Bishop of Antioch. I have received through our common son the deacon Sabinianus the welcome letter of your most gracious Holiness, in which the words flow not from your tongue but from your soul. That is no surprise -- a man who lives rightly speaks well. And since you have learned through the Sp …