教牧守則·對話錄與書信 第 585 章

Gregory to Anatolius, deacon of Constantinople. To good and devoted sons it is worthy of us so to respond that, because we are repaying a debt, we should double that which it befits us to bestow of our own accord. Since therefore the bearer of these presents, our magnificent son Marcellinus, has so conducted himself in the cause of our brother and fellow-bishop Maximus and of the Istrians, and hastens to spend himself for the advantages of our Church, that he is able more and more to demonstrate the affection of his sincerity not only by words but also by deeds, therefore your Beloved—

—we exhort with these words, that when he comes to the royal city you may run to meet him with all zeal and all attention, and so strive to aid him with your comforts in all his affairs, that, supported by the aid of Almighty God and by yours, he may have to labour there the less. Him, moreover, you shall so regard as if truly our very own, and shall strive to bestow upon him in all things the effect of your charity; so that both he may recognize a return made to him for his past services, and may be able to conceive great hope of recompense concerning the future devotion which he promises to display toward the interests of the Church.

But since, as far as we have learned, our most serene lord the emperor had ordered our aforesaid magnificent son to return with haste to his own footsteps, it will be fitting for you, seeking a suitable opportunity, to point out that it was not the fault of disobedience, but the cause of our brother and fellow-bishop Maximus that detained him. And this cause, though late, has nevertheless reached its end through his effort. But this we have wished your Beloved carefully to attend to: that he not consent to be mixed up in any cause whatever wherein there is oppression of the poor; lest perchance, being somewhat pressed by the power of persons, he be compelled to do that which cannot profit his soul. Therefore, handling all things with the fear of God, weigh above all the eternal reward.