To Romanus, Defensor in Sicily, on Bishop Basilius and the Law Courts

Gregory to Romanus, our defensor in Sicily. We have been told that our most reverend brother, Bishop Basilius, is busy with lawsuits as though he were one of the lowest of the people, and spends his time to no purpose in the courts. This both makes the man himself contemptible and destroys the reverence owed to priests. So as soon as your experience receives this order, carry it out strictly and compel him to go back to his duty. Be so insistent that he is not allowed, on any excuse, a delay of five days; for if you let him delay in any way, you will become seriously guilty in our eyes along with him. Given in the month of December, in the third indiction. [b]