To All Bishops, on the Three Chapters

Gregory to all bishops, in the matter of the Three Chapters. [a]

I have received your letters with the greatest pleasure; but I will have far more abundant joy if it falls to me to rejoice at your return from error. Now the opening of your letter tells me that you are suffering severe persecution. But persecution, if it is endured without reason, is of no profit at all toward salvation. For it is impious for anyone to expect a reward in return for sin. You ought to know, as the blessed Cyprian says, that it is not the suffering that makes the martyr, but the cause for which he suffers. This being so, it is utterly unfitting for you to glory in the persecution you speak of, since it does not advance you at all toward eternal rewards. So let purity of faith bring your love back to your mother the church, who bore you. Let no bent of mind cut you off from the unity of harmony; let no persuasion keep you from seeking the right way again. For in the synod that dealt with the Three Chapters it is plainly evident that nothing belonging to the faith was overturned or changed in the slightest. As you know, its proceedings concerned only certain individuals; and one of them, whose writings plainly departed from the uprightness of the catholic faith, was not unjustly condemned. [c]

Moreover, as to what you write, that since that time Italy has been scourged more than the other provinces, you ought not to twist this into a reproach, since it is written, “Whom the Lord loves he chastens, and he scourges every son whom he receives.” If, then, it is as you say, Italy has been all the more loved by God since that time, and approved in every way, since she has been counted worthy to endure the scourge of the Lord. But since it is not as you try to make out in order to insult her, listen to reason. [e]

After Pope Vigilius of illustrious memory, who had been appointed in the royal city, published a sentence of condemnation against Theodora, then empress, or against the Acephali, the city of Rome was attacked and captured by enemies. Does it follow from this that the Acephali had a good case, or that they were unjustly condemned, because such things happened after their condemnation? Far from it! For it is not fitting that any of you, or any others who have been taught the mysteries of the catholic faith, should say this or acknowledge it in any way. Since this is recognized, then, withdraw even now, at last, from the position you have taken. And so, that full satisfaction may be poured into your minds and all doubt about the Three Chapters removed, I have judged it useful to send you the book that my predecessor of holy memory, Pope Pelagius, wrote on this subject. If you are willing to read it again and again, setting aside the spirit of willful self-defense, I am confident that you will follow it in every respect and, in spite of everything, return to union with us. But if from now on, after reading this book, you decide to persist in your present position, you will no doubt show that you have given yourselves up not to reason but to obstinacy. So once more, in a spirit of compassion, I urge your love: since, under God, the purity of our faith has remained unharmed in the matter of the Three Chapters, put away from you all swelling of mind and return to your mother the church, who waits for her sons and invites them; and do this all the more quickly, since you know that she waits for you every day. [f]