Pastoral Rule, Dialogues & Letters 504

Gregory to John, bishop of Syracuse. Felix, the bearer of the present letter, has complained to us that, though he was born of Christian parents, he was given by a certain Christian to a Samaritan—a thing which it is a crime to name. And whereas neither the reason of the law nor the reverence of religion permits men of this kind of superstition to possess Christian slaves in any manner whatsoever, he asserts nevertheless that he remained in his service for eighteen years; but that, when your predecessor Maximianus of holy memory came to know this, being moved with priestly zeal, as was fitting, he says that by him he was freed from the impious service of the Samaritan.

But since that same Samaritan's son is said to have become a Christian five years afterwards, and certain persons are striving, as he himself says, to reduce the aforesaid Felix into his servitude, let Your Holiness diligently inquire into these things whereof we have been informed; and if it be established that he is free, let it be your endeavour to protect him.

and permit him to be burdened by no one under any pretext, since—whereas the laws forbid that slaves of a superstitious sect who precede their masters to the faith should be openly reduced into their service—how much more ought this man, born of Christian parents and made a Christian from infancy, in no way to sustain this question, especially since he could not even be the slave of his father, who, it is clear, can rather from his wicked presumption sustain the penalty coming from the laws? And therefore, as we have said, let the protection of Your Holiness reasonably guard him, so that to no one, under any argument, may there be licence in any degree of afflicting him. (Cf. John the Deacon, book IV, no. 47. See book VI, letter 33, indiction 14.) Gregory to Rusticiana the patrician.

I recall that long ago I wrote to Your Excellency, and have often urged, that you hasten to revisit the thresholds of the blessed Peter, prince of the Apostles. And what so great is the delight of the city of Constantinople, or what the forgetfulness of the city of Rome, I know not; up to now I have merited to obtain nothing from you in this matter. For how much it may profit your soul toward the gathering of the rewards of eternal life, how much also it may be fitting in all things for your glorious daughter, the lady Eusebia, both we subtly attend, and you can more subtly consider.

But my son Peter, your man, whom I have known to be wise beyond his age and to strive after maturity, if you inquire, you will find how great is the love of all who dwell about Your Excellency, and how great the desire that they may merit to see you again. And even if, by the Lord's command, we are admonished by the sacred oracles that we ought to love even our enemies, we must weigh how great a fault it is not to love even those who love us. But if perchance it is said that we are loved, we know most certainly that no one can love him whom he does not wish to see. But if you dread the swords of Italy and its wars, you ought anxiously to behold how great is the protection of the blessed Peter, prince of the Apostles, in this city, in which without greatness

of people, and without the aid of soldiers, we are for so many years kept unharmed among the swords, God being the author. These things we say because we love. But may Almighty God grant whatever He sees to be profitable for your soul in perpetuity, and whatever for the repute of your house at present. And the ten pounds of gold, which Your Excellency sent for the redemption of captives, I have received, the aforesaid son of mine delivering it. But I beg that the supernal grace, which has granted you to bestow them for the reward of your soul, may grant to me also to dispense them without any contagion of sin: lest, from that whereby you wipe away sins, we should be defiled.

May Almighty God, who beholds the weakness of your body and your pilgrimage, ever console you out of His grace, and with the life and safety of my most sweet son the lord Strategius; that He may nourish him both for you through long times, and for Himself unto eternity, and may fill you with all your household with present goods, and grant you to have the supernal grace. But the glorious lord Eudoxius we beg to be greeted in our stead.