To the Emperor Phocas, on His Accession

Gregory to Phocas Augustus. [a]

Glory to God in the highest, who, as it is written, changes times and transfers kingdoms; for he has made plain to all what he was pleased to speak through his prophet: “The Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will” (Daniel 4, verse 17). For in the incomprehensible arrangement of Almighty God, mortal life is governed by turns. Sometimes, when the sins of many are to be struck, one man is raised up through whose hardness the necks of subjects may be bowed under the yoke of distress, as we have long proved in our affliction. But sometimes, when the merciful God has decided to refresh the mourning hearts of many with his comfort, he raises one man to the summit of government, and through his tender mercy pours into the minds of all the grace of rejoicing in him. In this abundance of rejoicing we believe we shall soon be made firm, we who rejoice that the kindness of your piety has come to the imperial throne. [b]

“Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad” (Psalm 96, verse 11), and let the whole people of the state, until now afflicted beyond measure, grow cheerful at your kindly deeds. Let the proud minds of enemies be subdued under the yoke of your rule. Let the crushed and downcast spirits of subjects be revived by your mercy. Let the power of heavenly grace make you terrible to your enemies, and your piety make you kind to your subjects. Let the whole state have rest in your most happy times, now that the plundering of peace under cover of lawsuits has been exposed. Let schemes over wills cease, and gifts extorted by force. Let secure possession of their own return to all, so that they may rejoice to hold without fear what they have gained without fraud. Let every person’s freedom be restored to him at last under the yoke of the empire. For there is this difference between the kings of the nations and the emperors of the state: the kings of the nations are lords of slaves, but the emperors of the state are lords of free men. But we shall speak of these things better by praying than by reminding you of them. May Almighty God keep the heart of your piety in the hand of his grace in every thought and deed; and whatever should be done justly, whatever with clemency, may the Holy Spirit who dwells in your breast direct, so that your clemency may both be exalted in a temporal kingdom and, after the course of many years, reach the heavenly kingdoms. Given in the month of June, in the sixth indiction.