|
Copy of an epistle in which the emperor commands that the rulers of the
churches be exempted from all political duties.
"Greeting to thee, our most esteemed Anulinus. Since it appears
from many circumstances that when that religion is despised, in which
is preserved the chief reverence for the most holy celestial Power,
great dangers are brought upon public affairs; but that when legally
adopted and observed it affords the most signal prosperity to the Roman
name and remarkable felicity to all the affairs of men, through the
divine beneficence, it has seemed good to me, most esteemed
Anulinus, that those men who give their services with due sanctity and
with constant observance of this law, to the worship of the divine
religion, should receive recompense for their labors. Wherefore it is
my will that those within the province entrusted to thee, in the
catholic Church, over which Caecilianus presides, who give their
services to this holy religion, and who are commonly called clergymen,
be entirely exempted from all public duties, that they may not by any
error or sacrilegious negligence be drawn away from the service due to
the Deity, but may devote themselves without any hindrance to their
own law. For it seems that when they show greatest reverence to the
Deity, the greatest benefits accrue to the state. Farewell, our
most esteemed and beloved Anulinus."
|
|