To Severus, Bishop of Aquileia, Summoning Him to Rome

Gregory to Severus, and so on. [a]

When someone who has been walking in crooked ways takes the right path again, the Lord embraces him with all eagerness. So afterward, when someone deserts the way of truth, he is more saddened with grief over him than he rejoiced with joy over him when he turned from error. For it is a lesser sin not to know the truth than not to remain in it once it is known; and what is done in error is one thing, but what is done knowingly is another. And we, having once rejoiced that you were joined to the unity of the church, are now all the more distressed that you have separated yourself from the catholic fellowship. So we ask you, at the urging of the bearer of this letter, and by the command of the most Christian and most serene emperor, to come with your followers to the threshold of the blessed apostle Peter. There, when a synod has been assembled by the will of God, judgment may be given on the doubt that is held among you. [b]