Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series • VOLUME 12
Leo the Great & Gregory the Great
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A SELECT LIBRARY
Title: NPNF-212. Leo the Great, Gregory the Great Creator(s): Schaff, Philip (1819-1893) (Editor) Rights: Public Domain CCEL Subjects: All; Early Church; Proofed LC Call no: BR60 LC Subjects: Christianity Early Christian Literature. Fathers of the Church, etc. A SELECT LIBRARY OF THE NICENE AND POST-NICENE FATHERS OF THE…
2,890 wordsSECTION 2At the time when the disastrous news arrived at Rome, Leo was presiding over a council which he had convened; in violent indignation he imme
At the time when the disastrous news arrived at Rome, Leo was presiding over a council which he had convened; in violent indignation he immediately dispatched letters right and left in his own and his colleagues' name. There is a letter to Flavian, of whose death of course he was not yet aware; there are others to the archimandr…
2,216 wordsSECTION 3"It will not be wholly out of place," says Mr. Gore [12] , "to mention that tradition looks back to Leo as the benefactor of many of the Rom
"It will not be wholly out of place," says Mr. Gore [12] , "to mention that tradition looks back to Leo as the benefactor of many of the Roman churches: he is said to have restored their silver ornaments after the ravages of the Vandals, and to have repaired the basilicas of S. Peter and S. Paul, placing a mosaic in the latter, …
2,448 wordsSECTION 4Letters.
Letters. ------------------------ Letter I. To the Bishop of Aquileia. I. Through the negligence of the authorities the Pelagian heresy has been spreading in his province. From the account of our holy brother and fellow-bishop Septimus which is contained in the subjoined letter [16] , we have understood that certain priests…
1,514 wordsSECTION 5Letter II.
Letter II. To Septimus, Bishop of Altinum. (Caution must be observed in receiving Pelagians back, and clergy must stay in the church of their ordination.) Letter III. From Paschasinus, Bishop of Lilybæum. (About the keeping of Easter in 444; recommending the Alexandrine calculation.) Letter IV. To the Bishops appointed in…
1,728 wordsSECTION 6Letter V.
Letter V. To the Metropolitan Bishops of Illyricum. (Appointing Anastasius of Thessalonica his Vicar in the province, and expressing his wishes about its government, for which see Letter VI.) Letter VI. To Anastasius, Bishop of Thessalonica. Leo to his beloved brother Anastasius. I. He is pleased to have been consulted by …
1,857 wordsSECTION 7Letter VII.
Letter VII. To the Bishops throughout Italy. Leo to all the bishops set over the provinces of Italy greeting. I. Many Manichæans have been discovered in Rome. We call you to a share in our anxiety, that with the diligence of shepherds you may take more careful heed to your flocks entrusted to you that no craft of the devil's…
701 wordsSECTION 8Letter VIII.
Letter VIII. The Ordinance of Valentinian III. concerning the Manichæans. (The Manichæans are to be turned out of the army and the City, and to lose all their rights as citizens.) Letter IX. To Dioscorus, Bishop of Alexandria. Leo, the bishop, to Dioscorus, bishop of Alexandria, greeting. I. The churches of Rome and Alexan…
1,339 wordsSECTION 9Letter X.
Letter X. To the Bishops of the Province of Vienne. In the matter of Hilary, Bishop of Arles [64] . To the beloved brothers, the whole body of bishops of the province of Vienne, Leo, bishop of Rome. I. The solidarity of the Church built upon the rock of S. Peter must be everywhere maintained. Our Lord Jesus Christ, Saviour o…
2,397 wordsSECTION 10VII. Hilary is deposed not only from his usurped jurisdiction, but also from what of right belongs to him, and is restricted to his own sing
VII. Hilary is deposed not only from his usurped jurisdiction, but also from what of right belongs to him, and is restricted to his own single bishopric. Let each province be content with its own councils, and let not Hilary dare to summon synodal meetings besides, and by his interference disturb the judgments of the Lord's pri…
1,429 wordsSECTION 11Letter XI.
Letter XI. An Ordinance of Valentinianus III. (Confirming Leo's sentence upon Hilary.) Letter XII. 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. Inasmuch as the fre…
2,244 wordsSECTION 12IX. These injunctions to be carried out without contentiousness.
IX. These injunctions to be carried out without contentiousness. And so now that you see yourselves, beloved, fully instructed through David, our brother and fellow-bishop, who is approved to us both by his personal character and his priestly worth, on [nearly] [111] all the points which our brother Potentius' account contained…
1,419 wordsSECTION 13Letter XIII.
Letter XIII. To the Metropolitan Bishops in the Provinces of Illyricum. Leo congratulates them on accepting the authority of Anastasius over them (given in Lett. IV.). Letter XIV. To Anastasius, Bishop of Thessalonica. Leo, bishop of the City of Rome, to Anastasius, bishop of Thessalonica. I. Prefatory. If with true reaso…
2,298 wordsSECTION 14XI. When the Vicar shall require a meeting of bishops, two from each province will be sufficient.
XI. When the Vicar shall require a meeting of bishops, two from each province will be sufficient. In summoning bishops to your presence, we wish you to show great forbearance: lest under a show of much diligence you seem to exult in your brethren's injuries. Wherefore if any greater case arise for which it is reasonable and nec…
1,072 wordsSECTION 15Letter XV.
Letter XV. To Turribius, Bishop of Asturia [137] , upon the errors of the Priscillianists. Leo, bishop, to Turribius, bishop, greeting. I. Introductory. 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 yo…
2,319 wordsSECTION 16X. (9) Their notion that "the children of promise" are conceived by the Holy Ghost is utterly unscriptural and uncatholic.
X. (9) Their notion that "the children of promise" are conceived by the Holy Ghost is utterly unscriptural and uncatholic. The ninth notice declares that they say the sons of promise are born indeed of women but conceived by the Holy Spirit: lest that offspring which is born of carnal seed should seem to share in God's estate. …
2,242 wordsSECTION 17So having run through all that the detailed refutation contains, with which the contents of the memorial of their views does not disagree, w
So having run through all that the detailed refutation contains, with which the contents of the memorial of their views does not disagree, we have, I think, satisfactorily shown what our opinion on the matters which you, brother, have referred to us, and how unbearable it is if such blasphemous errors find acceptance in the hear…
1,524 wordsSECTION 18Letter XVI.
Letter XVI. To the Bishops of Sicily. Leo the bishop to all the bishops throughout Sicily greeting in the Lord. I. Introductory. By God's precepts and the Apostle's admonitions we are incited to keep a careful watch over the state of all the churches: and, if anywhere ought is found that needs rebuke, to recall men with spee…
2,658 wordsSECTION 19VIII. The Sicilian bishops are to send three of their number to each of the half-yearly meetings of bishops at Rome.
VIII. The Sicilian bishops are to send three of their number to each of the half-yearly meetings of bishops at Rome. Wherefore we require this first and foremost for the keeping of perfect harmony, that, according to the wholesome rule of the holy Fathers that there should be two meetings of bishops every year [200] , three of …
854 wordsSECTION 20Letter XVII [201] .
Letter XVII [201] . To All the Bishops of Sicily. (Forbidding the sale of church property except for the advantage of the church). Leo, the pope [202] , 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 precl…
1,163 wordsSECTION 21Letter XIX.
Letter XIX. To Dorus, Bishop of Beneventum. Leo, bishop, to Dorus 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. We grieve that the judgment, which we hoped to entertain of you, has been frustra…
1,028 wordsSECTION 22Letter XX.
Letter XX. To Eutyches, an Abbot of Constantinople. Leo, the bishop, to his dearly-beloved son, Eutyches, presbyter. He thanks him for his information about the revival of Nestorianism and commends his zeal. You have brought to our knowledge, beloved, by your letter that through the activity of some [212] the heresy of Nesto…
1,681 wordsSECTION 23Letter XXII [221] .
Letter XXII [221] . The first from Flavian, Bp. of Constantinople to Pope Leo. To the most holy and God-loving father and fellow-bishop, Leo, Flavian greeting in theLord. I. The designs of the devil have led Eutyches astray. There is nothing which can stay the devil's wickedness, that "restless evil, full of deadly poison [2…
1,043 wordsSECTION 24Letter XXIII.
Letter XXIII. To Flavian, Bishop of Constantinople. To his well-beloved brother Flavian the bishop, Leo the bishop. I. He complains that Flavian has not sent him a full account of Eutyches' case. Seeing that our most Christian and merciful Emperor, in his holy and praiseworthy faith and anxiety for the peace of the Catholic …
1,114 wordsSECTION 25Letter XXV.
Letter XXV. From Peter Chrysologus, Bishop of Ravenna, to Eutyches, the Presbyter. [In answer to a letter from Eutyches, he urges him to accept the decisions of the Church on the Faith in fear and without too close inquiry, and to abide by the ruling of the bishop of Rome.] Letter XXVI [236] . A Second One from Flavian to Le…
1,190 wordsSECTION 26Letter XXVII.
Letter XXVII. To Flavian, Bishop of Constantinople. Leo to Flavian, bishop of Constantinople. An acknowledgment of Flavian's first letter and a promise of a fuller reply. On the first opportunity we could find, which was the coming of our honourable son Rodanus, we acknowledge, beloved, the arrival of your packet [242] , whi…
2,751 wordsSECTION 27V. Christ's flesh is proved real from Scripture.
V. Christ's flesh is proved real from Scripture. Therefore in consequence of this unity of person which is to be understood in both natures [288] , we read of the Son of Man also descending from heaven, when the Son of God took flesh from the Virgin who bore Him. And again the Son of God is said to have been crucified and burie…
2,228 wordsSECTION 28[272] De prævaricatoris consortio: prævaricator originally is a legal term, signifying "a shuffler" in a suit, an advocate who plays into th
[272] De prævaricatoris consortio: prævaricator originally is a legal term, signifying "a shuffler" in a suit, an advocate who plays into the hands of the other side. [273] Pietas, as in the collect for xvi. S. aft. Trin., where the English, "pity" represents the Latin "pietas" philologically as well as in meaning. Cf. n. 2 in …
1,067 wordsSECTION 29Letter XXIX.
Letter XXIX. To Theodosius Augustus. To Cæsar Theodosius, the most religious and devout Augustus Leo pope of the CatholicChurch of the city of Rome [314] . He notifies the appointment of his representatives at the Council of Ephesus. How much God's providence vouchsafes to consult for the interests of men is shown by your me…
2,242 wordsSECTION 30Letter XXXII.
[317] Quod nostri similis fuit atque conformis. [318] S. Matt. i. 1. [319] Gen. xxxii. 24 and xviii 1. It will be noticed that Leo unhesitatingly pronounces these and similar appearances to be manifestations of the Second Person in the Trinity. [320] Prov. ix. 1. Cf. Letter XXVIII. (The Tome), chap. ii., towards the end. [32…
1,408 wordsSECTION 31Letter XXXIV.
Letter XXXIV. To Julian, Bishop of Cos. Leo, the bishop, to Julian, the bishop, his well-beloved brother. I. Eutyches is now clearly seen to have deviated from the Faith. Your letter, beloved, which has just reached me, shows with what spiritual love of the Catholic Faith you are inspired: and it makes me very glad that devo…
734 wordsSECTION 32Letter XXXV.
Letter XXXV. To Julian, Bishop of Cos [343] . Leo, bishop of the city of Rome to his well-beloved brother, Julian the bishop. I. Eutyches' heresy involves many other heresies. Although by the hands of our brothers, whom we have despatched from the city on behalf of the Faith, we hare sent a most full refutation of Eutyches' …
1,722 wordsSECTION 33Letter XXXVI.
Letter XXXVI. To Flavian, Bishop of Constantinople. (He acknowledges the receipt of Flavian's second letter (xxvi.) and protests against the necessity for a general council, though at the same time he acquiesces in it. Dated 21 June, a week after the Tome). Letter XXXVII [355] . To Theodosius Augustus. Leo to Theodosius Aug…
905 wordsSECTION 34Letter XXXIX.
Letter XXXIX. To Flavian, Bishop of Constantinople. Leo, the bishop, to Flavian, the bishop. He rebukes Flavian for not answering his repeated letters. 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 [361] , through our a…
818 wordsSECTION 35Letter XLIII [366] .
Letter XLIII [366] . To Theodosius Augustus. To the most glorious and serene Emperor Theodosius, Leo the bishop. I. He complains of the conduct of Dioscorus at the Council of Ephesus. 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…
984 wordsSECTION 36Letter XLIV.
Letter XLIV. To Theodosius Augustus. 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. From your clemency's letter, which in your love of the catholic Faith you sent sometime ago to the see of the blessed Apostle Peter, …
1,262 wordsSECTION 37Letter XLV.
Letter XLV. To Pulcheria Augusta. 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 the letters respecting the Faith which were despatched to your Grace by the hands of our clergy had reached you, it is certai…
757 wordsSECTION 38Letter XLVI.
Letter XLVI. From Hilary, then Deacon (afterwards Bishop of Rome) to Pulcheria Augusta. (Describing his ill-treatment, as Leo's delegate, by Dioscorus.) Letter XLVII. To Anastasius, Bishop of Thessalonica. (Congratulating him on being present at the synod of Ephesus.) Letter XLVIII. To Julian, Bishop of Cos. (Consoling h…
1,945 wordsSECTION 39Letter LIII.
Letter LIII. A fragment of a letter from Anatolius, Bishop of Constantinople, to Leo (about his consecration). Letter LIV. To Theodosius Augustus (asking for a synod in Italy).> Letters LV. to LVIII. A series of Letters. (1) From Valentinian the Emperor to Theodosius Augustus. (2) From Galla Placidia Augusta to Theodos…
2,355 wordsSECTION 40Letter LX.
V. The true doctrine of the Incarnation restated and commended to their keeping. Wherefore we call Christ not God only, as the Manichæan heretics, nor Man only, as the Photinian [396] heretics, nor man in such a way that anything should be wanting in Him which certainly belongs to human nature, whether soul or reasonable mind o…
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Source & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.