Pastoral Rule, Dialogues & Letters 304

Gregory to Theotimus the physician. There were certain ancient philosophers who said that in two bodies there was one soul, joining the two not by affection, but partitioning one substance of soul into two. But we, on the contrary, say that in many there is one soul, not by dividing the substance, but by joining the hearts. For of those first believers it is written: They had one heart, and one soul (Acts 4:32). Which I so read in the Acts of the Apostles that I recognize it in myself and the lord Theotimus, since he is so of one mind with me, that being present in body he has never failed me, and being absent in body he is ever made present through the spirit. And I give thanks to almighty God, who by the grace of His charity has poured into the inmost parts of your mind;

and I pray that He may increase His gifts in you more and more, and grant you both good things present here, and eternal joys in the world to come. My son, the deacon Sabinianus, coming to you, I commend to your Charity, asking that with that love by which you love me you would love also those who are ours. Gregory to Maximian, bishop of Syracuse. After canonical severity has been exercised, according to the quality of the excesses, against Agatho, formerly a bishop, it is necessary, out of regard for humanity, to arrange how he may be sustained.

Therefore let Your Fraternity hasten to direct to the church of Lipari, in which the aforesaid Agatho exercised the office of priest, and transmit to him thence, for the present, fifty solidi, which may avail toward his sustenance. For it is exceedingly impious if, after punishment, he should lie subject to want of nourishment.