To Cyriacus, Patriarch of Constantinople, on the Proud Title

Gregory to Cyriacus, and so on. [a]

Most dear brother, when we carefully consider how great the virtue of peace is, as we learn from the voice of the Lord, who says, “My peace I give to you,” it is fitting for us so to remain in the love of it as never to give way to discord. But since we cannot live in its root in any other way than by keeping, in mind and in deed, the humility that the very author of peace has taught, we beg you with fitting love to trample down, with the foot of your heart, the unholy self-exaltation that is always hostile to souls. Make haste to remove from the midst of the church the offense of a perverse and proud title, so that you may not perhaps be found separated from the fellowship of our peace. Rather, let there be in us one spirit, one mind, one love, one bond in Christ, who has willed us to be his members. For let your holiness consider how hard it is, how unseemly, how cruel, how foreign to the purpose of a priest, not to have the peace you preach to others, and so not to keep from offending your brothers through pride. Make it your study instead to strike down, with the sword of humility, the author of vain and useless self-exaltation, so that in such a victory the grace of the Holy Spirit may claim you as a dwelling for himself, and what is written may be plainly fulfilled in you: “The temple of God is holy, and you are that temple.” [b]

We commend to you in all things the bearer of this letter, our most beloved common son, the deacon Boniface, so that in whatever he may need he may find, as is fitting, the help of your holiness. [e]