To Sabinianus the Deacon, on the Letter to John of Constantinople

Gregory to Sabinianus, and so on. [a]

In the case of our brother the most reverend John, bishop of Constantinople, I have not wished to write two letters. But I have drawn up one, briefly, which may seem to combine both things that were needed: that is, both uprightness and kindness. [b]

So let your love take care to give him this letter, which I have now written to him in keeping with the emperor’s wish. For later on another will be sent to him, of a kind his pride will not enjoy. For he has gone even this far: taking the case of John the presbyter as his occasion, he sent the proceedings here, and in them, in almost every line, he called himself oikoumenikos, that is, ecumenical patriarch. But I hope in Almighty God that the Majesty on high will put his hypocrisy to shame. But I wonder how he could so deceive your love that you would let the lord emperor be persuaded to write to me himself about this matter, urging me to keep peace with him. For if the lord emperor wishes to keep to justice, he ought to have urged John to give up the proud title, and then at once there would be peace between us. I suspect, however, that you have not fully considered how cunningly this has been done by our brother John. For this is why he has done it: so that either I would obey the lord emperor, and he himself would seem to be confirmed in his vanity, or I would not obey, and the emperor’s mind would be stirred against me. But we will keep to the right way, fearing nothing in this cause except the Almighty Lord. So let your love be afraid of nothing. Despise, on behalf of the truth, everything you see that is lofty in this world and set against the truth. Trust in the grace of Almighty God and the help of the blessed apostle Peter. Remember the voice of the Truth, which says, “Greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world.” And in this cause, whatever has to be done, do it with the fullest authority. For now that we can in no way be protected from the swords of our enemies, now that for love of the state we have lost silver, gold, slaves and clothing, it is too shameful that through these men we should lose even the faith. For to agree to that outrageous title is nothing other than losing the faith. So, as I have already written to you in earlier letters, never presume to proceed with him. [c]