To Sabinianus, Bishop of Jadera, on His Return from Communion with Maximus

Gregory to Sabinianus, and so on. [a] Just as punishment is rightly due to someone who persists in a fault, so pardon should be granted to those who come back to a better mind. For as in the first case anger against the offender is deservedly stirred up, so in the second the goodwill shown usually promotes harmony. Now the memory of how weighty the priestly office is has drawn your fraternity back from the fellowship and communion with Maximus into which thoughtlessness had earlier led you. It has done so to such an extent that you could not let yourself be content with merely separating from him, without also mourning your past wrongdoing by withdrawing into the seclusion of a monastery. So do not doubt that you are received again into our favor and communion. For as much as your fault had offended us before, so much has your repentance appeased us. [b]

We urge you, therefore, most beloved brother, to apply yourself earnestly to the pastoral care of the Lord’s flock, and to watch diligently over the good of the sheep entrusted to you. Then the repayment of a rich reward will abound to you, in proportion to the multiplied fruits of your labor that you offer at the coming of the eternal Judge. Work, then, to rescue those who have fallen into sin. Work to show those who go astray the way to retrace their steps. Work to call back, for their health, to the grace of communion those who have been deprived of communion. Let your love’s own coming back lay on you the duty of rescuing others, and be an example of salvation. So, while your anxious care guides the wandering steps of the sheep to the folds of the chief Shepherd, they themselves will not be left exposed to the teeth of wolves, and, what is to be desired above all things, the reward of a fitting repayment will await you in eternal life.

As for the matter you wrote to us about, asking us to guard against any secret moves against you in the royal city, do not let it disturb your mind. For we have given orders, with all possible care, to our representative there to be watchful and on his guard. And we trust in the power of our God that matters are being handled in such a way that no one’s opposition will prevail against what is reasonable, so as to trouble you or bear hard on you in any way. [c]

Furthermore, the people of the city of Epidaurus have most urgently asked us to restore to them Florentius, whom they claim as their bishop. They assert that he was driven into exile unlawfully, by the mere will of the bishop Natalis. So if your fraternity knows anything of his case, please inform us accurately by letter. But if you know nothing of it so far, make inquiries and report to us, so that, with the Lord’s help, we may decide with full knowledge what should be determined about him. In the month of February, in the first indiction. [d]