To Anatolius the Patrician, Asking to Plead in the West

Your excellency has been fully informed about what those most righteous judges did at Ephesus, for their sound has gone out into all lands, and their most just judgment to the ends of the world. What church has not felt the storm it has stirred up? One side did the wrong, and the other suffered it. But those who neither suffered nor did the wrong share the distress of the wronged, and lament over those who so savagely, against every law human and divine, slaughtered their own members. Even burglars caught in the act are first tried by their judges and then punished. Even murderers, tomb robbers and adulterers are first brought into court. Their accusers are ordered to make their charge, and the motives of the witnesses are tested, to make sure they are not giving evidence to win favor with the prosecutors, or out of prejudice against the defendants. After this the accused are told to make their defense against the charges brought against them. This is done twice, three times, sometimes even four times. Then, and only then, after the truth has been sought in the words of both accuser and accused, the sentence is given. How these men judged the case of the others I will not say, so that I may not seem to be meddling in what does not concern me. I am forced to speak for myself alone, because the unrighteous act of violence compels me. The imperial order kept me at home and stopped me from traveling beyond the bounds of the city placed under my pastoral care. The synod’s decision went against me, and a man was condemned who was thirty-five days’ journey away. [a]

Now the God of all said to the patriarch Abraham about Sodom and Gomorrah: “Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is very great, and because their sin is very grievous, I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me; and if not, I will know.” He knew very well the wickedness of those men, and yet he said, “I will go down and see,” and so taught us to wait for facts to be proved. But these men never summoned me to trial. They never heard the sound of my voice. They refused to hear me state my beliefs. They handed me over, like a victim to be slaughtered, to the rage of the enemies of the truth. [c]

For my part, I welcome my rest, and especially so at the present time, when many have destroyed the apostolic decrees and the new heresy has been strengthened. But in case anyone who does not know me should believe that the slanders spoken against me are true, and should be shocked at the idea that I hold beliefs other than those of the gospel, I beg your excellency to ask the victorious sovereign, as a favor, to let me go to the West and plead my case there before the most godly and holy bishops. And if I am found departing in the least degree from the rule of faith, let me be thrown into the middle of the deep sea. If he will not grant you this request, let him at least order me to live in my monastery. It lies a hundred and twenty miles from Cyrrhus and seventy-five from Antioch, and three miles from Apamea. [d]

Of these requests I ask for the first, if it is possible. If not, I beg at least that through your excellency’s help the second may be granted me. I will always carry the memory of your kindness in my heart and on my lips, and I will pray the Lord of hosts to repay your excellency with blessings both now and in the time to come. I am forced to write to you this way because I have heard that certain people are trying to get me removed from this place.