To Ravennius of Arles, Against the Impostor Petronianus

Leo the pope to his dearly loved brother Ravennius.

We wish you to be watchful and careful, so that no blameworthy presumption may put forward undue claims; for once it has found an entrance by crafty stealth, it spreads into greater rashness in the name of the rank it has taken on. We have learned, on the trustworthy evidence of your clergy, that a certain wandering vagabond named Petronianus has been boasting throughout the provinces of Gaul that he is our deacon, and under cover of this office is going about the various churches of that country. We wish you, beloved brother, to check his abominable effrontery by exposing his imposture: warn the bishops of the whole region, and expel him from communion with all the churches, so that he may not keep up his claim. The Lord keep you safe, dearly loved brother. Dated the 26th of August, in the consulship of the illustrious Asturius and Protogenes, in the year 449.