To Savinus the Subdeacon

Gregory to Savinus, and so on. [a]

Wicked men have gone out and unsettled your minds, understanding neither what they say nor what they are asserting. They pretend that in the time of Justinian of pious memory something was taken away from the faith of the holy Synod of Chalcedon, which we revere with all faith and all devotion. In the same way, we receive all four synods of the holy universal church as we receive the four books of the holy Gospel. About the persons concerning whom something had been done after the synod closed, there was indeed some discussion in the time of Justinian of pious memory. Yet it was done in such a way that the faith was not violated in any respect, and nothing else was done about those persons except what had been decided at that same holy Synod of Chalcedon. Moreover, we anathematize anyone who presumes to take anything away from the definition of the faith published at that synod, or to change its meaning as though by amending it. As it was published there, so we guard it in every respect. It is fitting, then, most dear son, for you to return to the unity of Holy church, so that you may end your days in peace. Otherwise the evil spirit, who cannot prevail against you through your other works, may find in this a way to bar your entrance into the heavenly kingdom on the day of your departure. [b]