To the Emperor Maurice, on Behalf of the Presbyter John of Chalcedon

Gregory to Maurice, and so on. [a]

In you, most Christian of princes, an unspoiled soundness of faith shines like a beam sent down from heaven, and everyone knows that your serenity fervently embraces, and loves with the complete devotion of your heart, the pure profession by which, through God’s favor, you are powerful. So we have seen that it is very necessary to make a request for those whom one and the same faith enlightens, so that the Piety of our lords may protect them with its favor and defend them from all harassment. When certain men scorn the confession of faith of such persons, they are shown to be contradicting the true faith. For since the apostle declares that confession with the mouth is made for salvation, the man who will not agree to believe a right profession accuses himself in rejecting others. [b]

Now all the proceedings against John, presbyter of the church of Chalcedon, have been read in council and considered in order. We have found that he has suffered all the greater injustice because, when he declared and showed himself to be a catholic, it was not his guilt but an uncertain accusation of long standing that crushed him. This went so far that his accusers declared in their open answer that they did not know the heresy of the Marcionites which they had spoken of. So, although they ought to have been thrown out at the very beginning of the trial, they were allowed, vague as they were, to remain in court as his accusers. But so that rumor at least might not harm him, he produced a written confession of his faith, to show plainly that he professed and followed the right faith. This the judges appointed by the most holy John, our brother and fellow bishop, disregarded unjustly and unreasonably. And so, by doing all they could to put him down, they showed themselves more to blame than he was. For no one doubts that it is a want of faith not to have faith in the faithful. Everything has been thoroughly inquired into and considered, and the decision of the holy council with me has declared, by the revealing grace of divine power, that the presbyter John named above is a catholic, and that no spot of heretical perversity has been found in him. I therefore entreat that the pious protection of your serenity may order him to be kept safe from all annoyance, and may not allow one who professes the catholic faith to suffer any harassment. For not to believe one who professes the faith truly is not to purge heresy but to create it. If this were allowed, occasion would arise for unbelief, and people would themselves incur the guilt they set out, without due care, to correct. [c]

So let our most serene lord consider these things with pious foresight. As I have already asked, I implore again with abundant entreaties that he not allow an innocent man to be afflicted anew as though he were guilty, so that Almighty God, who sees your clemency love and defend the purity of catholic uprightness, may grant you both to rule over a state at peace, with your enemies subdued, and to reign with his saints in eternal life.