To Theodoric, King of the Franks, on a Synod Against Simony

Gregory to Theodoric, and so on. [a]

The letter of your excellency, which shows what is in your heart, has made so plain in its flow of clear language what great wisdom stands out in you along with royal power that there can be no doubt of the truth of whatever report has spread in your praise. And you indicate, by what you say in praise of it, that our exhortation has so pleased your royal mind that you wish whatever you know to belong to the worship of our God, the veneration of churches, or the honor of priests to be both carefully established and guarded in every way. We appeal to you, then, with a renewed exhortation, for your greater reward, to order a synod to be assembled, and, as we have written before, to have the bodily vices of priests and the wickedness of the simoniac heresy condemned by the decree of all the bishops and cut off within the bounds of your kingdom, and no longer to allow money to have more power than the commands of the Lord. For since all greed is the service of idols, whoever does not watchfully guard against it, especially in the bestowal of church honors, is subject to the perdition of unbelief, even though he may seem to hold the faith that he disregards. As, then, against enemies outside, so also against the enemies of souls among yourselves, be earnestly on your guard, so that because of this faithful opposition of yours to God’s enemies you may both reign prosperously here under his protection and come hereafter, led by his grace, to eternal joys. [b]

Furthermore, we have been told by certain monks who have returned to us from him what kindnesses your excellency showed to our most reverend brother and fellow bishop Augustine on his way to the nation of the Angles. So, giving you abundant thanks, we ask you to be pleased to give your support in full measure to these monks too who have been sent to him, and to help them on their journey, so that the more generously you show them your kindness, the greater the return you may expect from Almighty God, whom they serve.