To Anatolius, Deacon at Constantinople, Commending Marcellinus

Gregory to Anatolius, and so on. [a]

To good and devoted sons it is worth our trouble to respond in such a way that, since we are paying a debt, we give them double what it would be right for us to give them of our own free will. The bearer of this letter, our son the magnificent Marcellinus, has conducted himself as he has in the case of our brother and fellow bishop Maximus and in that of the Istrians, and he is eager to put himself to work for the good of our church. So, that he may be able more and more to show his sincere affection not only in words but also in deeds, we urge your love, when he comes to the royal city, to work with him with all zeal and earnestness, and to take pains to help him with every support in your power, so that, upheld by the aid of Almighty God and by yours, he may have less difficulty to contend with there. You will also be careful to look after him as one who is truly our own, and to give him the full benefit of your love, so that he may both recognize a return made to him for the past and be able to hold a great hope of reward in the future for the devotion he promises to show in the service of the church. But since, as far as we have learned, the most serene lord emperor had ordered our magnificent son to hurry to wait on him at once, it is right for you to look for an opportunity to make it known that it was not culpable disobedience but the case of our brother and fellow bishop Maximus that kept him. That case, though late, has nevertheless been brought to a conclusion through his efforts. But this we want your love to watch carefully: do not let yourself be mixed up in any case whatever in which the poor are oppressed, for fear that, under some pressure from people in power, you should be driven to do what could not profit your soul. So deal with all matters in the fear of God, and above all consider the eternal reward. [b]