To Flavian, Asking Why He Has Not Written

Leo the bishop to Flavian the bishop.

Your silence adds to our anxiety, for it is a long time now since we received a letter from you, beloved. Yet we, who bear a chief share in your cares through our concern for the defense of the faith, have several times sent you letters as occasion allowed. We did so to help you with the comfort of our encouragement, so that you would not give way to your adversaries’ attacks in defense of the faith, but would feel that we were sharing your labor. We believe our messengers reached you some time ago, brother, and through them you find yourself fully instructed by our writings and instructions; and we have ourselves sent Basil back to you, as you wished. Now, so that you may not think we have let any opportunity of writing to you pass, we have sent this note by our son Eupsychius, a man we hold in great honor and affection. We ask you to answer our letter with all speed, and to tell us at once about your own actions and those of our representatives, and about how the whole matter has ended, so that happier news may relieve the anxiety we now feel in defense of the faith. Dated the 11th of August, in the consulship of the illustrious Asturius and Protogenes, in the year 449. [a]