To the Emperor Theodosius, on the Synod at Ephesus

Leo the bishop, and the holy synod assembled at Rome, to Theodosius Augustus. [a]

Some time ago, in your love for the catholic faith, you sent a letter to the see of the blessed apostle Peter. From your clemency’s letter we drew such confidence in your defense of truth and peace that we thought nothing harmful could happen in so plain and well-ordered a matter. This was all the more so because those who were sent to the council of bishops which you ordered to be held at Ephesus had been so fully instructed. If the bishop of Alexandria had allowed the letters they brought, whether to the holy synod or to Bishop Flavian, to be read in the hearing of the bishops, then by the declaration of the most pure faith, which is divinely inspired and which we have both received and hold, all the noise of dispute would have been so completely hushed that ignorance could no longer amuse itself, and jealousy could find no opening to do harm. But because private interests are served under cover of religion, the disloyalty of a few has brought about what must wound the whole church. We have learned this not from some untrustworthy messenger but from a most faithful reporter of what was done: Hilary, our deacon, who escaped with great difficulty so that he would not be forced to sign their proceedings. We have learned from him that a great many priests came together at the synod. Their numbers would no doubt have helped the debate and the decision, if the man who claimed the chief place for himself had been willing to keep a priest’s moderation. Then, as custom requires, when all had freely given their opinion, after quiet and fair deliberation, a decision might have been made that was both in keeping with the faith and helpful to those in error. But we have been told that not all who had come were present at the actual decision. For we have learned that some were shut out while others were admitted, and that these, at that priest’s demand, surrendered themselves to an unrighteous signature, knowing they would suffer harm unless they obeyed his orders. We have learned too that he brought forward such a resolution that, in attacking one man, he might vent his fury on the whole church. Our delegates from the Apostolic See saw that this resolution was so blasphemous and so opposed to the catholic faith that no pressure could force them to agree to it. In that same synod they stoutly protested, as they ought, that the Apostolic See would never accept what was being passed. For the whole mystery of the Christian faith is utterly destroyed (Heaven forbid it in your grace’s reign) unless this abominable wickedness, which goes beyond all former blasphemies, is abolished. [b]

But the devil, with wicked cunning, deceives the unwary. He so mocks the imprudence of some with a show of piety that he persuades them to what is harmful instead of what is helpful. So we pray your grace: renounce all share in this endangering of religion and of the faith. In the handling of divine things, grant what the fairness of your laws grants in worldly matters, so that human presumption may not do violence to Christ’s gospel. Look, most Christian and honored emperor: I, with my fellow priests, am fulfilling toward your revered clemency the duties of sincere love. We desire that in all things you may please God, to whom the church offers prayers for you, and we do not want to be judged guilty for our silence before the judgment seat of the Lord Christ. So we beg you, in the presence of the undivided Trinity of the one Godhead, whom such an act wrongs (for he himself is the guardian and the author of your empire), and in the presence of Christ’s holy angels: order everything to be left as it was before the decision, until a larger number of priests can be assembled from the whole world. Do not let yourself be weighed down with another man’s sin, because (and we must say it) we are afraid that he whose religion is being destroyed may be provoked to anger. Keep before your eyes, and with all the sight of your mind gaze reverently on, the glory of the blessed Peter, the crowns which all the apostles share with him, and the palms of all the martyrs, who had no other reason for suffering than the confession of the true Godhead and the true manhood in Christ. [e]

This mystery is now being wickedly opposed by a few ignorant people. So all the churches of our region and all the priests entreat your clemency with groans and tears, since our delegates faithfully protested and Bishop Flavian gave them a written appeal: order a general synod to be held in Italy. Such a synod will either dismiss or settle all disputes, in such a way that nothing is left any longer either doubtful in the faith or divided in love. To it, of course, the bishops of the Eastern provinces must come. Then any of them who were overcome by threats and injury, and turned aside from the path of truth, may be fully restored by healing measures; and those whose case is harder may, if they accept wiser counsel, not fall away from the unity of the church. How necessary this request is after an appeal has been lodged is witnessed by the canons passed at Nicaea by the bishops of the whole world, which are added below. Show favor to the catholics, as you and your parents have always done. Give us such freedom to defend the catholic faith that no violence and no fear of the world can take it away, while your revered clemency is safe. For we are pleading the cause not only of the church but of your kingdom and prosperity, so that you may enjoy peaceful rule over your provinces. Defend the church in unshaken peace against the heretics, so that your empire too may be defended by Christ’s right hand. Dated the 13th of October, in the consulship of the illustrious Asturius and Protogenes (in the year 449). [g]