To Anatolius, Deacon at Constantinople, on the Sick Bishop John

Gregory to Anatolius, and so on. [a]

Your love has written to me that our most devout lord orders a successor to be appointed to my most reverend brother John, bishop of Prima Justiniana, because of the illness of the head that he suffers from, so that the city, while it is without a bishop to govern it, may not perhaps be ruined by its enemies, which God forbid. And yet the canons nowhere order that a bishop be replaced because of sickness. And it is altogether unjust that, if bodily illness comes on, the sick man should be deprived of his rank. So this can by no means be done through us, or sin would come upon my soul from his deposition. But this should be suggested: if the one who rules is sick, an administrator may be found to take on all his charge, and to keep and fill his place in the government of the church and the protection of the city, without his being deposed. In this way Almighty God will not be offended, and the city will not be found neglected. If, however, the same most reverend John should perhaps ask, because of his illness, to be released from the rank of bishop, it should be granted when he presents a petition in writing. Otherwise we are altogether unable, with due regard to the fear of Almighty God, to do this thing. But if he is unwilling to make such a petition, whatever pleases the most devout emperor, whatever he commands to be done, is in his power. As he decides, so let him provide. Only let him not make us party to the deposition of a man in this condition. Still, what he does, if it is in keeping with the canons, we will follow. But if it is not in keeping with the canons, we will bear it, so far as we can without sin of our own. [b]