To Cyriacus, Bishop of Constantinople, on Weakness and Unity of Heart

Gregory to Cyriacus, bishop of Constantinople. When in time past I represented the Apostolic See in the royal city, I came to know the good qualities of your holiness. And I greatly rejoice that the care of souls has been entrusted to you. Unworthy as I am, I beg Almighty God with all the prayers in my power that he may increase his grace in you still further, and make you gather a gain of souls for the eternal homeland. But whereas you say that you are weak for this work that has been laid on you, we know that the first virtue is to acknowledge one’s weakness. And from this we gather that you can carry out well the ministry you have taken up: that we see how, out of humility, you acknowledge your own weakness. For we are all weak; but he is weaker who has not the strength to consider his weakness. But you, most blessed brother, are strong for this very reason: that, distrusting your own strength, you trust in the power of Almighty God. [a]

I cannot, however, express in the words of a letter how closely my heart is bound to your love. But I pray that Almighty God may by the gift of his grace multiply the same love that is between us, and may take away every occasion of offense, so that holy church, united by the profession of the true faith and joined together by the union of the hearts of the faithful, may not suffer any damage from priests quarreling with each other, which God forbid. For my part, in all that I speak and in all that I say against the proud conduct of certain persons, I still, by the goodness of Almighty God, never let go of the guarding of love within. I carry out outwardly what belongs to justice in such a way as by no means to neglect inwardly what belongs to love and kindness. And you too, always return my love, and guard what belongs to peace and kindness, so that, remaining of one mind and letting no disagreement come between us, we may be all the better able, from the very unity of our hearts, to obtain what we ask of the Lord. [c]

Further, I commend to your holiness John, a presbyter of Chalcedon, and Athanasius of Isauria, so that no one may turn you against them by underhanded misrepresentation. For I have thoroughly examined their faith and found them sound in their confessions, which have also been given in writing. [d]

Now may the Holy Trinity protect you with his hand, and make you always watchful and careful in guarding souls, so that at the eternal reward you may be counted worthy to be crowned not only for your own work but also for the bettering of those under you.