Resultados25 letters/passages
ambrose_milan · c. 385 · score 0.02
… the faith precisely because the bishops were free to debate and decide without imperial interference. When later emperors — Constantius above all [the Arian-sympathizing son of Constantine, who used imperial power to impose Arian formulas on the Church] — tried to dictate the outcome of councils, the result was not pe …
leo_great · c. 447 · score 0.02
For this reason, we pray your clemency to oppose such disturbances with the Truth, and to order the Faith of the Catholic religion to be preserved without stain. We ask that, in accordance with the standard and decision of the Apostolic See — which we likewise revere as preeminent — Flavian may remain completely unharm …
ambrose_milan · c. 385 · score 0.02
Ambrose to the Emperor Theodosius. You know, most merciful Emperor, that I spoke to you recently about the matter of Callinicum. I see that my letter has not yet produced its full effect, and so I must press the point further — not from obstinacy but from pastoral duty. When I stood before you at the altar and you were …
ambrose_milan · c. 385 · score 0.02
Ambrose, Bishop, to the Emperor Theodosius. I write to you, most merciful Emperor, not as a subject to a ruler but as a priest to a son of the Church — for in the things of God, the emperor is within the Church, not above it. The matter of Callinicum has been reported to you, and your initial reaction was to order the …
ambrose_milan · c. 385 · score 0.02
Ambrose to the Emperor Theodosius. I thank you, most merciful Emperor, for your willingness to reconsider the matter of Callinicum. The modification you have made shows your good will, but I must confess it does not go far enough. You have removed the requirement that the bishop personally rebuild the synagogue, but yo …
ambrose_milan · c. 389 · score 0.02
Ambrose, Bishop, to the most merciful prince and most blessed Emperor Theodosius. I am always burdened with cares, most blessed Emperor, but I have never been in such distress as now — because I see that I must guard against anything that could be charged to me as sacrilege. I beg you: hear me patiently. If I am unwort …
ambrose_milan · c. 388 · score 0.01
Ambrose, Bishop, to the most merciful prince and most blessed Emperor Theodosius. I am constantly burdened with cares, most blessed Emperor, but I have never been in such distress as now. I see that I must take every precaution against anything that might be charged to me as approaching sacrilege. I beg you: hear me wi …
ambrose_milan · c. 396 · score 0.01
Ambrose, Bishop, to the Emperor Theodosius. Although I have recently written to your Clemency twice already, I still feel that I have not done enough — given how deeply indebted I am for your many kindnesses, most blessed and august Emperor. Every opportunity to express my duty must be seized, not least because I would …
ambrose_milan · c. 385 · score 0.01
Ambrose, Bishop, to the Emperor Theodosius — written in my own hand, for your eyes alone. I write this privately because the matter requires delicacy, and I have no desire to humiliate you in public. But I must be honest with you, and honesty in this case is painful. At Thessalonica, by your order, thousands were kille …
leo_great · c. 448 · score 0.01
Leo, Bishop of Rome, to the Emperor Theodosius, ever Augustus. I. He suspends judgment on the appointment of Anatolius until he has made an open confession of the Catholic faith In all your piously expressed letters, amid the anxieties we endure for the faith, you have given us hope of security by upholding the Council …
ambrose_milan · c. 385 · score 0.01
Ambrose, Bishop, to the most clement Emperor Theodosius. I have learned that your Clemency has ordered the bishop of Callinicum to rebuild the synagogue destroyed by a Christian crowd, and to do so at his own expense. I speak plainly: this order must not stand. I do not defend mob violence — disorder is never lawful. B …
symmachus · c. 372 · score 0.01
… aim for themselves the windfall gains [bona caduca -- property that fell to the imperial treasury when intended heirs were disqualified], and that the position of honest men will grow worse if the opportunity for fraud falls only to those restrained by neither law nor shame. Therefore, since the emperor's own position …
ambrose_milan · c. 385 · score 0.01
… I write to you about a matter that has long concerned me: the speed with which imperial sentences are carried out. Your Clemency issues decrees in the heat of righteous anger — and the anger is often justified. But by the time the decree reaches the executioner, the anger has passed and the emperor would wish it undon …
ambrose_milan · c. 393 · score 0.01
3. What, then, could I do? Should I not hear? But I could not close my ears with the wax of ancient fables. Should I speak what I heard? But I was forced to guard my words against the very thing I feared from your commands — that some act of bloodshed would be carried out. Should I keep silent? But then my conscience w …
ambrose_milan · c. 388 · score 0.01
Punish the rioters if justice demands it — but do not compel a Christian bishop to build a synagogue. That is not justice. That is a triumph of those who deny Christ over those who confess him. If you will not hear me as a counselor, hear me at least as an intercessor. I would rather owe you gratitude for mercy than be …
ambrose_milan · c. 379 · score 0.01
To the most blessed Emperor and most merciful prince Theodosius — Ambrose and the other bishops of Italy. We knew your holy mind was devoted to Almighty God in pure and sincere faith. But you have added fresh kindnesses: you have restored Catholics to their churches, most august Emperor. If only you had restored the Ca …
ambrose_milan · c. 385 · score 0.01
Ambrose to the Emperor Theodosius. Your Clemency has done what I asked: you have shown mercy to the defeated supporters of Eugenius. For this, all Italy gives thanks — and more importantly, God gives thanks, for mercy is the virtue most like himself. I have heard that you spared even those who fought against you willin …
ambrose_milan · c. 390 · score 0.01
Ambrose, Bishop, to the most august Emperor Theodosius. The memory of our long friendship is sweet to me, and I gratefully recall the many kindnesses you have shown to those on whose behalf I interceded. You may be confident, then, that it is no ungrateful spirit that has made me avoid your arrival — an arrival that wa …
ambrose_milan · c. 394 · score 0.01
Ambrose, Bishop, to the Emperor Theodosius. You supposed, most blessed Emperor — as I gathered from your letter — that I had gone far from Milan because I believed God had abandoned your cause. But I am neither so imprudent nor so forgetful of your virtues and your merits as to have doubted that heaven's help would att …
ambrose_milan · c. 381 · score 0.01
To the most blessed Emperor and most merciful prince Theodosius — Ambrose and the other bishops of Italy. The report of your faith, spread throughout the whole world, has stirred deep affection in our hearts. Because we desired this glory too for your reign — that you might be seen to have restored unity to both the We …
ambrose_milan · c. 385 · score 0.01
Ambrose, Bishop, to the Emperor Theodosius. I explain my absence from Milan when your Clemency arrived after your great victory. I was not avoiding you — though I understand how it might appear. The truth is simpler: I was unwell, and the roads were difficult. But I also wished to write first what I might not say easil …
symmachus · c. 381 · score 0.01
...and you care for me, but I worry that you might take up some fight on my behalf while I'm away and draw hostility onto yourself. Please, I ask you, stand down. Perhaps one day I'll have the chance to make my case before the eternal emperor, our lord Theodosius [Emperor Theodosius I, r. 379–395], whose favor toward m …
leo_great · c. 447 · score 0.01
From Galla Placidia Augusta [mother of Emperor Valentinian III, and effective ruler of the Western Roman Empire] to Theodosius [Emperor Theodosius II of the Eastern Empire]. To the Lord Theodosius, Conqueror and Emperor, her ever august son — Galla Placidia, most pious and prosperous, perpetual Augusta and mother. When …
ambrose_milan · c. 393 · score 0.01
For the one is a sign of humility, the other of contempt. For the Word of God Himself tells us that He prefers obedience to His commandments over the offering of sacrifice. God proclaims this, Moses declares it to the people, Paul preaches it to the Gentiles. Do what you understand to be most beneficial for the present …
leo_great · c. 444 · score 0.01
Unity of Faith is essential, but the point at issue hardly required a general council — it is so clear. Leo to Theodosius Augustus [Emperor Theodosius II, who ruled the Eastern Roman Empire 408-450]. Upon receiving your clemency's letter, I recognized that the universal Church has much cause for joy — that you insist t …