To Libertinus the Prefect, Against the Jew Nasas

Gregory to Libertinus, prefect of Sicily. From the very start of your administration God has willed that you should go out to defend his cause, and in his mercy he has kept this reward for you, with praise to go with it. For it is reported that a certain Nasas, a most wicked Jew, has with a recklessness that calls for punishment set up an altar under the name of the blessed Elijah, and by a sacrilegious enticement has drawn many Christians to worship there. More than that, it is said that he has acquired Christian slaves and put them to his own service and profit. He ought to have been punished most severely for such great crimes. Yet the glorious Justinus, soothed, as we have been told in writing, by the charm of greed, put off avenging the wrong done to God. But let your glory make a strict examination into all these things. If it is found to be clear that such things have been done, make haste to punish this wicked Jew for them most strictly and in his body, so that by doing this you may both win God’s favor for yourself and, by this example, show yourself a model to those who come after, to your own reward. Moreover, as the laws direct, set free without any evasion whatever Christian slaves he is found to have acquired, so that the Christian religion may not (God forbid) be defiled by being made subject to Jews. So correct these things most strictly and with all speed, so that we may not only thank you for this discipline but also bear witness to your goodness whenever there is need. [a]