Letters from the Imperial Family on Leo’s Appeal

First: from the emperor Valentinian to Theodosius Augustus. Second: from Galla Placidia Augusta to Theodosius Augustus. Third: from Licinia Eudoxia Augusta to Theodosius Augustus. Fourth: from Galla Placidia Augusta to Pulcheria Augusta. All four describe vividly how Leo had appealed to them in public to press his case with Theodosius. Of these, the second is given below as perhaps the most interesting example. [a]

From Galla Placidia Augusta to Theodosius.

To the lord Theodosius, conqueror and emperor, her ever august son, from Galla Placidia, most pious and prosperous, perpetual Augusta and mother. [b]

On our very arrival in the ancient city, we were busy paying our devotion to the most blessed apostle Peter at the martyr’s own altar. The most reverend Bishop Leo waited a little after the service, and then poured out to us his laments over the catholic faith. He called on the chief of the apostles himself, whom we had just approached, as his witness. He was surrounded by a number of bishops whom he had gathered from many cities of Italy by the authority and dignity of his position. Adding tears to his words, he called on us to join our groans to his own. For no slight harm has come from those events. The rule of the catholic faith, guarded so long since the days of our most divine father Constantine, who was the first in the palace to stand out as a Christian, has recently been disturbed by the presumption of one man. In the synod held at Ephesus he is said to have stirred up hatred and strife instead, intimidating Flavian, the bishop of Constantinople, by the presence of soldiers, because Flavian had sent an appeal to the Apostolic See and to all the bishops of these parts. He sent it by the hands of those whom the most reverend bishop of Rome had appointed to attend the synod, as such delegates have always been accustomed to attend, most sacred lord and son and adored king, in accordance with the provisions of the Nicene synod. For this reason we pray your clemency to oppose such disturbances with the truth, and to order the faith of the catholic religion to be kept without stain. Then, in keeping with the rule and decision of the Apostolic See, which we too revere as preeminent, Flavian may remain wholly unharmed in his priestly office, and the matter may be referred to the synod of the Apostolic See. It was in that see, assuredly, that the one who was counted worthy to receive the keys of heaven first adorned the primacy. For it is fitting for us in all things to keep the respect due to this great city, which is the mistress of all the earth. And we must take the greatest care of this too: that what our house guarded in former times may not seem to be infringed in our day, and that by the present example schisms may not be encouraged, either between the bishops or between the most holy churches. [c]