To Hospito, Duke of the Barbaricini, on Their Conversion

Gregory to Hospito, and so on. [a] Since no one of your people is a Christian, I know from this that you are better than all your people, because you are found to be a Christian among them. For while all the Barbaricini live like senseless animals, do not know the true God, and worship wood and stones, by the very fact that you worship the true God you show how far you surpass them all. But carry out the faith you have received in good deeds and words. Offer to Christ, in whom you believe, what is in your power, by bringing to him as many as you can, having them baptized, and urging them to set their hearts on eternal life. And if perhaps you cannot do this yourself, being busy with other things, I beg you, with my greeting, to help in every way our men whom we have sent to your region, that is, my fellow bishop Felix and my son, the servant of God, Cyriacus. In helping their labors you will show your devotion to Almighty God, and he whose servants you help in their good work will be your helper in all good deeds. We have sent you through them a blessing of Saint Peter the apostle, which I beg you to receive kindly, as you ought. In the month of June, in the twelfth indiction. [b]