PL 54 · cols. 1214–1217

Leo the Great, Letters

Letters CLXX–CLXXIII

prorsus excludere, quia in tantae urbis antistite universam Ecclesiam decet sancta exsultatione gaudere, ut vera pax Domini non solum praedicatione fidei, sed etiam morum clarificetur exemplo.

[...] to shut out altogether, because in the prelate of so great a city it is fitting that the universal Church rejoice with holy exultation, so that the true peace of the Lord may be made illustrious not only by the preaching of the faith but also by the example of morals.

Data xv kalendarum Juliarum, Magno et Apollonio consulibus. Per Philoxenum agentem in rebus.

Given on the fifteenth day before the kalends of July, in the consulship of Magnus and Apollonius. By Philoxenus, agens in rebus.

EPISTOLA CLXX.

LETTER CLXX.

AD GENNADIUM EPISCOPUM CONSTANTINOPOLITANUM.

TO GENNADIUS, BISHOP OF CONSTANTINOPLE.

Leo episcopus Gennadio episcopo Constantinopolitano.

Leo, bishop, to Gennadius, bishop of Constantinople.

Dilectionis tuae litteris, et fratrum coepiscoporumque nostrorum Domitiani et Germiniani sermone agnovi, Timotheum postquam Ecclesiae Alexandrinae civitatis expulsus est, Constantinopolim, nonnullis hoc fidei adversariis agentibus, venire permissum: ut, quantum datur intelligi, quia universorum Domini sacerdotum sententiis coarctatus, invitus saltem ad catholicum se dogma convertat, et tamquam propter hanc tantummodo causam videatur ejectus, haereticae perversitatis errore damnato, doctrinae apostolicae, ut ad Alexandrinam redeat, acquiescat; cum illi, etiamsi catholicus probaretur, hoc vehementer obsistat, quod vivente episcopo, tantae sedis invasor est, et auctor apparuit inauditae crudelitatis admissae. Et ideo dilectio tua sollicitudine qua clares eniti et elaborare debebit ne cum tam nefario homine sermo aliquis privatim vel publice misceatur, neve sub specie correctionis ejus quorumdam conventui praebeatur occasio; ne redeundi integram capiat libertatem, de quo jam edictis suis princeps Christianissimus judicavit. Omni igitur labore et circumspectione pervigili unitati ecclesiasticae profuturus enitere, frater charissime, ut spes suffragatoribus ipsius adimatur, et Alexandrinis ex clero suo catholicus episcopus secundum morem veterem per orthodoxos Aegyptios consecretur: quia parricida ille non alias a suis defensoribus deseritur, nisi Alexandrina Ecclesia, quae Patrum honori et suae restituenda est libertati, rectorem sanandis omnibus

By the letter of your affection, and by the account of our brothers and fellow bishops Domitian and Germinian, I have learned that Timothy, after he was expelled from the Church of the city of Alexandria, has been permitted to come to Constantinople, through the doing of certain adversaries of the faith: so that, as far as can be understood, since he is hemmed in by the sentences of all the priests of the Lord, he may turn himself, at least unwillingly, to the catholic dogma, and, as though he seemed to have been cast out for this cause alone, having condemned the error of heretical perversity, may acquiesce in the apostolic doctrine so as to return to Alexandria; whereas this stands vehemently against him, even if he were proved catholic, that while the bishop was living he is the invader of so great a see, and has appeared as the author of an unheard-of cruelty that was committed. And therefore your affection, with the solicitude in which you shine, must strive and labour that no conversation be held with so wicked a man, privately or publicly, and that under the pretext of his correction no occasion be given for a meeting of certain people; lest he obtain full liberty of returning, concerning whom the most Christian prince has already judged by his edicts. Strive therefore with every labour and wakeful circumspection, dearest brother, as one who will benefit ecclesiastical unity, that hope be taken away from his supporters, and that a catholic bishop from their own clergy be consecrated for the Alexandrians according to the ancient custom by orthodox Egyptians: because that parricide is not otherwise deserted by his defenders, unless the Church of Alexandria, which is to be restored to the honour of the Fathers and to its own liberty, [shall have obtained] a ruler, for healing all [...]

Editors' notes and page, col. 1214

Footnotes

(f) ‹antistite› · printed under col 1213

Codex ex quo prima hujus epistolae editio prodiit, habebat universa Ecclesiae, et annotatum fuit, videtur deesse membra, quae annotatio in plurium editionum textum perperam irrepsit. Labbeus et Quesnellus ediderunt tantum universa Ecclesiae membra. Nomen membra in omnibus codicibus deest. Veram lectionem suppeditavit codex Angelicae.

The manuscript from which the first edition of this letter came had "universa Ecclesiae", and it was annotated "membra [members] seems to be missing"; this annotation wrongly crept into the text of several editions. Labbe and Quesnel printed only "universa Ecclesiae membra" [all the members of the Church]. The noun "membra" is missing in all the manuscripts. The true reading was supplied by the Angelica manuscript.

(g) ‹kalendarum› · printed under col 1214

In codicibus loco mensis est sigla R̂; sed Julium mensem recte appositum liquet ex epistola sequenti, quae eodem die ac de re eadem scripta fuit.

In the manuscripts, in place of the month, there is the siglum R̂; but it is clear that the month of July is rightly supplied, from the following letter, which was written on the same day and about the same matter.

(h) ‹EPISTOLA› · printed under col 1214

Alias 130. Scripta 18 Junii an, 460.

Formerly 130. Written 18 June in the year 460.

(i) ‹intelligi,› · printed under col 1214

Cod. Angelicae, qui. Paulo post antiquiores editiones, ut tamquam. Quesnelli emendationem codices probant.

The Angelica manuscript: "qui" [who]. A little after, the older editions: "ut tamquam". The manuscripts confirm Quesnel's emendation.

(j) ‹tantummodo› · printed under col 1214

Vulgati cum mss. Venetis, culpam. Antiquiorum mss. lectionem praetulimus.

The printed editions, with the Venetian manuscripts: "culpam" [fault]. We have preferred the reading of the older manuscripts.

(k) ‹invasor est,› · printed under col 1214

Codd. Vaticani et Veneti, et cum auctor. Codex Angelicae melius, et quod auctor.

The Vatican and Venetian manuscripts: "et cum auctor". The Angelica manuscript, better: "et quod auctor" [and that (he has appeared as) the author].

(l) ‹sollicitudine qua› · printed under col 1214

Ita cod. Angelicae; alii, clareas; vulgati, claret.

So the Angelica manuscript; others: "clareas"; the printed editions: "claret".

(m) ‹Christianissimus› · printed under col 1214

Al., indicavit.

Otherwise: "indicavit" [has indicated].

(n) ‹per orthodoxos› · printed under col 1214

Vulgati, episcopos. Codicum lectionem inseruimus, qua Leo canonum sanctiones et veterem morem servandum praecipiens, cavere voluit ne alterius provinciae episcopus ita novum Alexandrinum antistitem consecraret, uti Maximum Antiochenum consecravit Anatolius Constantinopolitanus, quod ab ipso Leone reprobatum fuit epist. 106, cap. 2.

The printed editions: "episcopos" [bishops]. We have inserted the reading of the manuscripts, by which Leo, prescribing that the sanctions of the canons and the ancient custom be kept, wished to guard against a bishop of another province consecrating the new prelate of Alexandria in the way that Anatolius of Constantinople consecrated Maximus of Antioch, which was disapproved by Leo himself in letter 106, chapter 2.

(o) ‹defensoribus› · printed under col 1214

Cod. Angelicae, deseretur.

The Angelica manuscript: "deseretur" [will be deserted].

Editors' prose

Synopsis. — Queritur quod Timotheus Constantinopolim venire sit permissus; nullam ei restitutionis spem esse relinquendam; cavendumque ne se publicis privatisve colloquiis immisceat.

Synopsis. — He complains that Timothy has been permitted to come to Constantinople; that no hope of restoration is to be left to him; and that care must be taken that he does not involve himself in public or private conversations.

Page

running head: EPISTOLA CLXX. (across the page; column number 1214 at right)
marginal letters: A ‹lum prorsus excludere›; B ‹agnovi, Timotheum›; C ‹dam conventui praebeatur›; D ‹tiones, ut tamquam› (in footnote (i))
old-edition numerals: 1434 after civitatis
signature: none
other: the head of the column finishes Letter CLXIX (the word "il-/lum" set whole in col 1213); the heading of CLXX stands within this column; "defensoribus" printed with a damaged o, set plain

PL 54:1215

quae male gesta sunt, probatissimum fuerit consecuta.

[...] the things that have been wrongly done, and one most approved.

Datum xv kalend. Julias, Magno et Apollonio consulibus. Per Philoxenum agentemi n rebus.

Given on the fifteenth day before the kalends of July, in the consulship of Magnus and Apollonius. By Philoxenus, agens in rebus [printed "agentemi n"].

EPISTOLA CLXXI.

LETTER CLXXI.

AD TIMOTHEUM EPISCOPUM ALEXANDRINMU.

TO TIMOTHY, BISHOP OF ALEXANDRIA [printed "ALEXANDRINMU"].

Leo episcopus Timotheo episcopo catholico Alexandrinae Ecclesiae.

Leo, bishop, to Timothy, catholic bishop of the Church of Alexandria.

Cap. I. — Evidenter apparet sub apostolicae splendore sententiae, quoniam diligentibus Deum omnia cooperantur in bonum (Rom. VIII, 28); et divinae dispensatione pietatis ubi excipiuntur adversa, ibi donantur et prospera. Quod Alexandrinae Ecclesiae experimenta demonstrant, in qua multos sibi patientiae thesauros humilium modestia et tolerantia congregavit: quia juxta est Dominus his qui tribulato sunt corde et humiles spiritu salvabit (Ps XXXIII, 19); glorificata in omnibus inclyti principis fide, per quem dextera Domini fecit virtutem (Ps. CXVII, 16), ne in thronum beatorum Patrum Antichristi diutius sederet opprobrium: cujus impietas nemini magis quam sibi nocuit: quia etsi aliquos ad societatem facinoris impulit, se tamen inexpiabiliter cruentavit. Unde de eo quod instinctu fidei in fraternitate tua cleri et plebis atque omnium fidelium egit electio, universam mecum Ecclesiam Domini gaudere rescribo, utque hoc benignitas divinae pietatis multiplicata gratia confirmet, exopto; ita ipsi per omnia tua devotione famulante, ut etiam eos qui veritati aliquatenus restiterunt, reconciliandos Deo per Ecclesiae preces instanter acquiras, et sacramento catholicae fidei, cujus soliditas nullam divisionem recipit, sollicitus rector adjungas: illum imitatus verum piumque pastorem, qui animam suam posuit pro ovibus suis (Joan. X, 11), et errantem unam ovem non flagellis coercuit, sed ad ovile proprium suis humeris reportavit (Luc. XV, 5).

Chap. I. — It appears evidently, under the splendour of the apostolic saying, that for those who love God all things work together for good (Rom. 8:28); and that by the dispensation of the divine goodness, where adversities are met, there prosperities too are granted. This the experiences of the Church of Alexandria demonstrate, in which the modesty and endurance of the humble have gathered for it many treasures of patience: because the Lord is near to those who are of troubled heart, and He will save the humble of spirit (Ps. 33:19); [the Church] having been glorified in all things by the faith of the renowned prince, through whom the right hand of the Lord has wrought strength (Ps. 117:16), so that the disgrace of Antichrist should no longer sit upon the throne of the blessed Fathers: whose impiety harmed no one more than himself: because, although he drove some into partnership in his crime, he stained himself with blood beyond expiation. Hence, concerning the fact that, by the prompting of faith, the election of the clergy and people and of all the faithful has fallen upon your fraternity, I write back that the whole Church of the Lord rejoices with me, and I earnestly desire that the kindness of the divine goodness may confirm this with multiplied grace; so that, your devotion serving Him in all things, you may urgently win back even those who have in some measure resisted the truth, to be reconciled to God through the prayers of the Church, and as a solicitous ruler join them to the sacrament of the catholic faith, whose solidity admits no division: imitating that true and loving Shepherd, Who laid down His life for His sheep (John 10:11), and did not restrain the one straying sheep with scourges, but carried it back on His shoulders to His own fold (Luke 15:5).

Cap. II. — Agat ergo dilectio tua, frater charissime, ne vel Nestoriani dogmatis vel Eutychiani erroris ullum in Dei populo possit vestigium reperiri: quia nemo potest fundamentum ponere, praeter id quod positum est, qui est Christus Jesus (Cor. III, 11): qui universum mundum non reconcilar et Deo Patri, nisi per fidei regenerationem omnes in nostrae carnis veritate susciperet. Cum ergo scribendi opportunitates, quibus fraternitas tua utatur, exstiterint,

Chap. II. — Let your affection, then, dearest brother, see to it that no trace either of the Nestorian dogma or of the Eutychian error can be found among the people of God: because no one can lay a foundation other than that which has been laid, which is Christ Jesus (1 Cor. 3:11): Who would not reconcile [printed "reconcilar et", for "reconciliaret"] the whole world to God the Father, unless through the regeneration of faith He took up all in the reality of our flesh. When, therefore, opportunities of writing arise which your fraternity may use,

Editors' notes and page, col. 1215

Footnotes

(a) ‹EPISTOLA› · printed under col 1215

Alias 139. Scripta 18 augusti an. 460.

Formerly 139. Written 18 August in the year 460.

(b) ‹Leo episcopus› · printed under col 1215

Is est Timotheus Solofaciolus catholicus, qui in Timothei Aeluri haeretici ac usurpatoris locum subrogatus est. Creditur autem esse ille Timotheus presbyter et aeconomus Ecclesiae Alexandrinae, qui cum aliis catholicis ex Aegypto pulsus an. 457 libellum supplicem adversus eumdem Aelurum imperatori porrexit. Vide codicem encyclium cap. 7, tom, IV Concil. col. 1843.

This is Timothy Salofaciolus, the catholic, who was put in the place of Timothy Aelurus, the heretic and usurper. He is believed to be that Timothy, priest and steward of the Church of Alexandria, who, driven out of Egypt with other catholics in the year 457, presented a petition to the emperor against the same Aelurus. See the Codex Encyclius, chapter 7, volume 4 of the Councils, col. 1843.

Ita ex codicibus. Vulg., humilitas.

So from the manuscripts. The common text: "humilitas" [humility].

(d) ‹impulit,› · printed under col 1215

Vulg., se tantum denique inexpiabiliter. Lectionem praetulimus omnium nostrorum codicum, qui solum pro se habent sed.

The common text: "se tantum denique inexpiabiliter" [himself only, finally, beyond expiation]. We have preferred the reading of all our manuscripts, which only have "sed" instead of "se".

(e) ‹instinctu fidei› · printed under col 1216

Sic quatuor potiores codices. Vulgati, in fraternitatem tuam.

So the four better manuscripts. The printed editions: "in fraternitatem tuam" [upon your fraternity].

(f) ‹acquiras, et› · printed under col 1216

Vulgati, sacramenta. Emendavimus ex codicibus.

The printed editions: "sacramenta" [sacraments]. We have emended from the manuscripts.

Editors' prose

Synopsis. — I. De electione ejus gratulatur, charitatemque commendat. — II. Ut fidei rebus invigilet, frequenterque ad ipsum scribat.

Synopsis. — 1. He congratulates him on his election and commends charity. — 2. That he should keep watch over the affairs of the faith and write to him frequently.

Page

running head: S. LEONIS MAGNI EPISTOLAE. (across the page; column number 1215 at left)
marginal letters: A ‹quae male gesta sunt›; B ‹tiae thesauros›; C ‹restiterunt, reconciliandos›; D ‹carnis veritate susciperet›
old-edition numerals: 1435 before EPISTOLA CLXXI; 1436 after universum
signature: none
other: "spiritu" (Ps. quotation) printed with a damaged u, set plain; "sub apostolicae" printed without a word space

PL 54:1216

sicut necessarie et ex more fecisti, ut per filios nostros Danielem presbyterum et Timotheum diaconum ordinationis tuae ad nos scripta dirigeres, ita omni tempore in hoc officio perseveres, et de provectibus pacis saepe, quantum fieri potest, sollicitudini nostrae mittantur indicia: ut per alterna colloquia sentiamus quia charitas Dei diffusa est in cordibus nostris per Spiritum sanctum, qui datus est nobis (Rom. V, 5).

[...] just as you did, necessarily and according to custom, in sending us the writings of your ordination through our sons Daniel the priest and Timothy the deacon, so at all times you should persevere in this duty, and tidings of the advances of peace should often, as far as may be, be sent to our solicitude: so that through mutual converse we may perceive that the charity of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit, Who has been given to us (Rom. 5:5).

Datum xv kalend. Septemb., Magno et Appollonio consulibus.

Given on the fifteenth day before the kalends of September, in the consulship of Magnus and Apollonius [printed "Appollonio"].

EPISTOLA CLXXII.

LETTER CLXXII.

AD PRESBYTEROS ET DIACONOS ECCLESIAE ALEXANDRINAE.

TO THE PRIESTS AND DEACONS OF THE CHURCH OF ALEXANDRIA.

Leo episcopus presbyteris et diaconibus Ecclesiae Alexandrinae, dilectissimis filiis in Domino salutem.

Leo, bishop, to the priests and deacons of the Church of Alexandria, his most beloved sons, greeting in the Lord.

Gaudeo exsultanter in Domino de piissimo quem inter vos habetis affectu; dum sicut scripta vestra manifestant, et pastor gregem, et grex ostenditur amare pastorem. Solliciti ergo in invicem, sicut Apostolus ait, servare unitatem spiritus in vinculo pacis (Ephes. IV, 3), properate ad fructum verae pervenire patientiae. Quid enim dignius aut velle potestis aut agere, quam ut, auxiliante Dei gratia, gloriosissimi principis fide ad profectum solidissimae pacis utamini, remota procul ea bestia quae vineam plantationis Dominicae, sicut psalmus propheticus canit (Ps. LXXIX, 14), singulari feritate vastabat? Quia ergo in ovili Dominico nec furum jam insidiae, nec latronum timentur incursus, redeat universitas vestra in concordiam, et magisterio Spiritus sancti illa in omnibus unitas expetatur, propter quam dicit Apostolus: Non quaerens, quod mihi utile est, sed quod multis, ut salvi fiant (I Cor. X, 33). Idipsum dicant et sentiant omnes, nulla sint sensuum disputationumque certamina. Quod usque ad catholices praesules in Alexandrina Ecclesia discipuli veritatis didicerunt atque docuerunt, eadem a cunctis fidelibus confessione promatur: quia VARIETATEM veritas, quae est simplex atque una, non recipit. Si quos autem cujuslibet ordinis Christianos impia haereticorum conturbavere mendacia, ad satisfactionis remedia provocate, et in spiritu mansuetudinis cum benignitate corripite; quia, sicut ait beatus apostolus Petrus, non tardat Dominus promissum, sed patienter agit propter vos, nolens aliquos perire, sed omnes ad

I rejoice exultantly in the Lord over the most loving affection which you have among you; since, as your letters make plain, both the shepherd is shown to love the flock and the flock the shepherd. Being solicitous, then, for one another, as the Apostle says, to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace (Eph. 4:3), hasten to arrive at the fruit of true patience. For what more worthy thing can you either wish or do than, with the help of the grace of God, to use the faith of the most glorious prince for the advancement of a most solid peace, now that that beast has been removed far off which, as the prophetic psalm sings (Ps. 79:14), was laying waste with singular ferocity the vineyard of the Lord's planting? Since, then, in the Lord's sheepfold neither the snares of thieves nor the onslaughts of robbers are any longer feared, let your whole body return to concord, and under the teaching of the Holy Spirit let that unity in all things be sought, on account of which the Apostle says: Not seeking what is useful to me, but what is [useful] to many, that they may be saved (1 Cor. 10:33). Let all say and think the same thing; let there be no contests of opinions and disputations. What the disciples of the truth in the Church of Alexandria learned and taught down to the catholic [printed "catholices"] prelates, let it be brought forth by all the faithful with the same confession: because the truth, which is simple and one, does not admit VARIETY. But if the impious lies of the heretics have troubled any Christians of whatever order, call them to the remedies of satisfaction, and correct them with kindness in the spirit of meekness; because, as the blessed apostle Peter says, the Lord does not delay His promise, but acts patiently on your account, not wishing any to perish, but all to [...]

Editors' notes and page, col. 1216

Footnotes

(e) printed under this column; its call is in col 1215, set in n1215 (f) printed under this column; its call is in col 1215, set in n1215

(g) ‹sicut› · printed under col 1216

Quesnellus in marginali postilla explicat, id est incessanter, ut alibi notatum. Sed debitum indicatur referendi ad Romanum pontificem ordinationem episcoporum majorum sedium, ut ostendimus annot. 1 (Col. 1119 b) in epist. 149.

Quesnel in a marginal note explains: "that is, unceasingly, as noted elsewhere". But what is indicated is the duty of reporting to the Roman pontiff the ordination of the bishops of the greater sees, as we have shown in annotation 1 (col. 1119, [note] b) on letter 149.

(h) ‹perseveres,› · printed under col 1216

Sic codices. Editi, ut.

So the manuscripts. The editions: "ut" [that].

(i) ‹EPISTOLA› · printed under col 1216

Alias 140. Scripta 18 August. an. 460.

Formerly 140. Written 18 August in the year 460.

(j) ‹pacis (Ephes. IV, 3), properate› · printed under col 1216; its mark is printed "(i)"

Vulgati addunt in margine, ut possitis, sed codices ignorant. Exemplaria Veneta pro verae habent vestra.

The printed editions add in the margin "ut possitis" [that you may be able], but the manuscripts do not know it. The Venetian copies have "vestra" [your] instead of "verae" [true].

Editors' prose

Synopsis. — Ad concordiam in Ecclesia Alexandrina servandam augendamque invitat; et ut qui ab haereticis seducti sunt, ad poenitentiae remedium provocentur.

Synopsis. — He invites them to preserve and increase concord in the Church of Alexandria; and [urges] that those who have been led astray by the heretics be called to the remedy of penance.

Page

running head: S. LEONIS MAGNI EPISTOLAE. (across the page; column number 1216 at right)
marginal letters: A ‹sicut necessarie›; B ‹Leo episcopus presbyteris› (beside the end of the synopsis); C ‹ergo in ovili Dominico›; D ‹Petrus, non tardat›
old-edition numerals: 1437 after nulla
signature: none
other: "ECCLESIAE" in the caption printed with a damaged IAE ligature (looks "ECCLESLE"), set plain; "VARIETATEM" in small capitals, set in capitals

PL 54:1217

poenitentiam converti (II Pet. III, 9). Agendum ergo est ne difficultas veniae curationem faciat tardiorem.

[...] be converted to penance (2 Pet. 3:9). Care must therefore be taken that difficulty in [obtaining] pardon does not make the cure slower.

Data decimo quinto kalend. Septemb., Magno et Apollnio consulibus.

Given on the fifteenth day before the kalends of September, in the consulship of Magnus and Apollonius [printed "Apollnio"].

EPISTOLA CLXXIII.

LETTER CLXXIII.

AD QUOSDAM AEGYPTI EPISCOPOS.

TO CERTAIN BISHOPS OF EGYPT.

Leo episcopus Theophilo, Joanni, Athanasio, Abrahae, Danieli, Paphnutio, Musaeo, Panulvio, et Petro, episcopis Aegyptiis.

Leo, bishop, to Theophilus, John, Athanasius, Abraham, Daniel, Paphnutius, Musaeus, Panulvius and Peter, Egyptian bishops.

Litteris fraternitatis vestrae, quas ad me filii nostri Daniel presbyter et Timotheus diaconus detulerunt, cognovisse me gaudeo, quod gloriosi et venerandi principis fides, propheticis et evangelicis unita doctrinis, ad sanctos et Deo placitos dispositionum suarum pervenit effectus, ut cruentissimo Alexandrinae Ecclesiae pervasore dejecto, et in longinquiora translato, dignum sua gubernatione rectorem totius civitatis mereretur electio, ad cujus vos consecrationem nullus ambitus traheret, nulla seditio impelleret, nulla iniquitas incitaret; sed in medio constituta meritorum sanctitate, eum cunctis non dubitaret praeponere, quem sibi universitas cuperet praesidere. Unde reddita populis Christianis Dei

From the letter of your fraternity, which our sons Daniel the priest and Timothy the deacon brought to me, I rejoice to have learned that the faith of the glorious and venerable prince, united with the prophetic and evangelical teachings, has attained the holy and God-pleasing effects of its dispositions, so that, the most bloodthirsty invader of the Church of Alexandria having been cast down and removed to more distant parts, the election of the whole city obtained a ruler worthy of its governance, to whose consecration no canvassing drew you, no sedition drove you, no iniquity incited you; but, the holiness of merits being set in the midst, it did not hesitate to set over all him whom the whole body desired to preside over it. Hence, rejoicing in the peace of God [...]

pace gaudentes, commendamus vobis invicem vestri operis dignitatem, ut religiose per omnia ordinatus antistes, fraterno se juvari experiatur assensu, et ad abolenda scandala, quae error haereticus excitaverat, cooperatione vestra gaudeat adjuvari. Extruso enim qui imitator diaboli fuit, et in veritate non stetit (Joan. VIII. 44), male utens specie pervasi honoris et nominis, congruit ut Alexandrina Ecclesia eum veneretur et diligat, quem et probitate morum, et integritate catholicae fidei, dignum tanto sacerdotio comprobavit: cui mutuae charitatis plenum animi nostri praebemus affectum: cohortantes, fratres charissimi, et fiducialiter exigentes ut in praedicatione verbi, in eruditione praecepti illam formam custodiatis charitatis, sine qua nullae possunt prodesse virtutes. Quod autem fratri et coepiscopo nostro Timotheo de revocandis his qui a veritatis itinere deviantes, inconsultius se ferociusque gesserunt, scriptum esse cognoscitis, dilectio quoque vestra ad curam suam intelligat pertinere: ut quia late sese pestilens illa aegritudo diffudit, ubique omnibus eadem adhibeatur medicina vulneribus: ut per diligentiam pastoralem in cunctis Eeclesiis Domini ovile reparetur, et per sollicitudinem charitatis atque doctrinae, omnes Christi oves unum se sentiant habere pastorem.

[...] restored to the Christian peoples, we commend to you, one and all, the dignity of your work, so that the prelate, ordained religiously in all respects, may experience himself helped by fraternal agreement, and may rejoice to be assisted by your cooperation in abolishing the scandals which heretical error had stirred up. For since he has been thrust out who was an imitator of the devil and did not stand in the truth (John 8:44), making ill use of the appearance of a usurped honour and name, it is fitting that the Church of Alexandria should revere and love him whom it has approved as worthy of so great a priesthood both by uprightness of morals and by the integrity of the catholic faith: to whom we extend the full affection of our mind in mutual charity: exhorting you, dearest brothers, and confidently requiring that in the preaching of the word and in the instruction of the precept you keep that form of charity without which no virtues can profit. And what you learn has been written to our brother and fellow bishop Timothy about calling back those who, straying from the road of truth, have behaved too rashly and too fiercely, let your affection also understand to belong to its own care: so that, since that pestilent sickness has spread itself widely, the same medicine may everywhere be applied to all the wounds: so that through pastoral diligence the sheepfold of the Lord may be restored in all the Churches [printed "Eeclesiis"], and through the solicitude of charity and doctrine all the sheep of Christ may feel that they have one shepherd.

Data xv kalend. Septembris, Magno et Appollonio consulibus.

Given on the fifteenth day before the kalends of September, in the consulship of Magnus and Apollonius [printed "Appollonio"].

Editors' notes and page, col. 1217

Footnotes

(a) ‹EPISTOLA› · printed under col 1217

Alias 141. Scripta 18 August. an. 460.

Formerly 141. Written 18 August in the year 460.

(b) ‹Danieli,› · printed under col 1217

Ita mss. Vulg., Iohae. Dein, Panulino pro Panulvio in Vat. 4961.

So the manuscripts. The common text: "Iohae". Then "Panulino" for "Panulvio" in Vatican 4961.

(c) ‹antistes, fraterno› (call printed in the head of col 1218, text set under this rail) · printed under col 1217, running over into col 1218

Ita codd. Vaticani et Veneti. Ms. Angelicae, se incitari. Editi, se vivere.

So the Vatican and Venetian manuscripts. The Angelica manuscript: "se incitari" [to be urged on]. The editions: "se vivere" [to live].

(d) ‹adjuvari.› (call printed in the head of col 1218, text set under this rail) · printed under col 1218

Vulg., Excluso. Lectionem omnium codicum secuti sumus.

The common text: "Excluso" [shut out]. We have followed the reading of all the manuscripts.

Editors' prose

Synopsis. — De electo Timotheo catholico in locum Timothei Aeluri gratulatur; unitatem commendat, et ut sollicitudinem suam ejus curae jungant ad reducendos errantes, invitat.

Synopsis. — He offers congratulations on the election of the catholic Timothy in place of Timothy Aelurus; he commends unity, and invites them to join their solicitude to his care for bringing back those who stray.

Page

running head: DE EPISTOLIS DEPERDITIS TUM S. LEONIS, ETC., DISSERTATIO. (across the page; column number 1217 at left)
marginal letters: A ‹poenitentiam converti› (also beside the head of col 1218, ‹pace gaudentes›); B ‹cognovisse me gaudeo› (also beside col 1218 ‹tutes. Quod autem›)
old-edition numerals: 1438 after suarum
signature: none
other: END OF THE UNIT. Page 614 has two columns, a rule, then the full-width heading of the editors' dissertation, then two columns again. By the reading-order rule the upper half of col 1218 (from "pace gaudentes" to "Magno et Appollonio consulibus.") finishes Letter CLXXIII and is set under this rail, with its notes (c) and (d) here. Below the rule, not in this unit: the full-width heading "DE EPISTOLIS DEPERDITIS / Tum S. Leonis ad alios, tum aliorum ad S. Leonem ...", then "DISSERTATIO." at the head of the lower half of col 1217