To John, Bishop of Constantinople, Clearing the Presbyter John of Heresy

Gregory to John, bishop of Constantinople. Just as the perversity of heretics must be held down by zeal for the right faith, so the soundness of a true confession must be embraced. For if one who declares himself sound in the faith is scorned, the faith of everyone is brought into doubt, and deadly errors are born of thoughtless strictness. And so not only are wandering sheep not called back to their Lord’s folds, but even those that are inside them are left open to be cruelly torn by the teeth of wild beasts. Let us, then, consider this fully, dearest brother. Let us not allow anyone who truly professes the catholic faith to be harassed on the pretext of heresy, nor, God forbid, allow heresy to grow all the more under the appearance of correcting it. [a]

But we have wondered greatly why those whom you appointed as judges in a matter of faith against John, presbyter of the church of Chalcedon, believed rumor and disregarded the truth, and would not believe him when he professed his faith distinctly. This is all the stranger since his accusers, when asked what the heresy of the Marcionites was that they spoke of, and on the ground of which they tried to make him out guilty, answered with a plain admission that they did not know. From this it clearly appears that, without regard for God, not justly but against their own souls, they wanted only to injure him personally, of their own mere will. We have therefore held a council, as the record of the proceedings before us shows, and have thoroughly examined and considered everything that was needed. We have been unable to find the presbyter named above guilty in any respect, and in particular the statement he handed to the judges you appointed agrees entirely with the soundness of the right faith. On this account, I say, we disapprove the sentence of those judges, and through the revealing grace of Christ our God and Redeemer we declare him by our definite sentence a catholic and free of every charge of heresy. Since, then, we have sent him back to your holiness, it is for you to receive him with the kindness you show to everyone, to give him your priestly love, and to defend him from all harassment, allowing no one to busy himself with causing him trouble. Just as you defend others from oppression, so you ought not to withhold your help from him. [b]