To Sebastian, Bishop of Rhisinum, on Anastasius of Antioch

Gregory to Sebastian, and so on. [a]

Although I deserved to receive no letters from your blessedness, I do not forget my own forgetfulness either. I blame my negligence, and I stir up my sluggishness with the goads of love, so that one who will not pay what he owes of his own accord may learn to pay it even under blows. Furthermore, I inform you that I have prepared a full statement, with urgent prayers, to our most pious lords, saying that they ought to have sent the most blessed lord patriarch Anastasius, with the use of the pallium granted him, to the threshold of the blessed Peter, prince of the apostles, to celebrate the solemnities of mass with me. In this way, even if he were not allowed to return to his see, he might at least live with me and keep his dignity. But the bearer of this letter will tell you of the reason that has arisen for holding back what I had written. Nevertheless, find out the mind of the lord Anastasius, and let me know in your letters whatever he would like to be done in this matter. [b]