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INNOCENT, bishop of Rome, was extremely indignant when
apprised of the measures that had been adopted against John, and
condemned the whole proceedings. He then turned his attention to the
convocation of an oecumenical council, and wrote to John and to the
clergy of Constantinople in part. Subjoined are the two letters,
precisely as I found them, translated from the Latin into Greek.
"Innocent, to the beloved brother John.
Although one conscious of his own innocence ought to expect every
blessing and to ask for mercy from God, yet it seems well to us to
send you a befitting letter by Cyriacus, the deacon, and to counsel
you to long-suffering, lest the contumely cast upon you should have
more power in subduing your courage than the testimony of a good
conscience in encouraging you to hope. It is not requisite to teach
you, who are the teacher and pastor of so great a people, that God
always tries the best of men to see whether they will continue in the
height of patience, and will not give way to any labor of suffering;
and how true it is that the conscience is a firm thing against all that
befalls us unjustly, and unless one be moved in these misfortunes by
patience, he furnishes a ground for evil surmising. For he ought to
endure everything, who first trusts in God, and then in his own
conscience. Especially when an excellent and good man can exercise
himself in endurance, he cannot be overcome; for the Holy Scriptures
guard his thoughts, and the devout lections, which we expound to the
people, abound in examples. These Scriptures assure us that almost
all the saints are variously and continuously afflicted, and are tested
by some investigation, and so have come to the crown of patience. Let
thy conscience encourage thy love, O most honored brother; for that
faculty amid tribulations possesses an encouragement for virtue. For
since Christ, the Master, is observing, the purified conscience
will station you in the haven of peace."
Innocent, the bishop, to the presbyters, deacons, and all the
clergy, and to the people of the church of Constantinople under
John, the bishop, greeting to you, beloved brethren.
From the letters of your love that you forwarded to me through
Germanus, the presbyter, and Cassianus, the deacon, I have
learned, with anxious solicitude, the scenes of evil which you have
placed before our eyes. I have frequently seen during its repeated
reading with what calamities and labors the faith is wearied. Only the
consolation of patience heals such a state of affairs. Our God will
shortly put an end to such tribulations, and they will eventually tend
to your profit. But we recognized with approbation your proposition,
placed at the beginning of the letter of your love; to wit, that this
very consolation is necessary, and embraces many proofs of your
patience; for our consolation, which we ought to have conveyed, you
have anticipated in your epistle. Our Lord is wont to furnish this
patience to the suffering, in order that when they fall into
tribulations, the servants of Christ may encourage themselves; for
they should reason within themselves that what they suffer has happened
previously to the saints. And even we ourselves derive comfort from
your letters, for we are not strangers to your sufferings; but we are
disciplined in you. Who, indeed, can endure to witness the errors
introduced by those who were bound especially to be enthusiasts for the
quiet of peace and for its concord? But far from maintaining peace,
they expel guiltless priests from the front seat of their own churches.
John, our brother and fellow-minister and your bishop, has been the
first to suffer this unjust treatment without being allowed a hearing.
No accusation was brought, none was heard. What proposition was it
that was nullified, so that no show of judgment might arise or be
sought? Others were seated in the places of living priests, as though
any who began from such discord would be able to possess anything or do
anything rightly in any one's judgment. We have never known such
audacities to have been done by our fathers. They rather prohibited
such innovations by refusing to give power to any one to be ordained in
another's place while the occupant was living, since he is unable to
be a bishop who is unjustly substituted.
With respect to the observance of canons, we declare that those
defined at Nicaea are alone entitled to the obedience and recognition
of the Catholic Church. If any individuals should attempt to
introduce other canons, at variance with those of Nicaea, and such as
are a compilation by heretics, such canons ought to be rejected by the
Catholic Church, for it is not lawful to add the inventions of
heretics to the Catholic canons. For they always wish to belittle the
decision of the Nicene fathers through opponents and lawless men. We
say, then, that the canons we have censured are not only to be
disregarded, but to be condemned with the dogmas of heretics and
schismatics, even as they have been formerly condemned at the council
of Sardica by the bishops who were our predecessors. For it would be
better, O most honored brethren, that these transactions be
condemned, than that any actions should be confirmed contrary to the
canons.
What measures ought we to adopt now in the present circumstances
against such deeds? It is necessary that there be a synodical
investigation, and a synod we long ago said should be gathered. There
are no other means of arresting the fury of the tempest. In order that
we may attain this it will be profitable meanwhile for that healing to
be exalted which comes by the will of the great God and of His
Christ, our Lord. We shall thus behold the cessation of all the
woes which have been excited by the envy of the devil, and which have
served as trials for our faith. If we remain steadfast in the faith,
there is nothing that we ought not to expect from the Lord. We are
constantly watching for the opportunity of convening an oecumenical
council, whereby, in accordance with the will of God, an end may be
put to these harassing commotions. Let us, then, endure in the
interval, and, fortified by the wall of patience, let us trust in the
help of our God for the restoration of all things.
We had previously been made acquainted with all that you have related
concerning your trials, by our fellow-bishops Demetrius, Cyriacus,
Eulysius, and Palladius, who visited Rome at different periods and
are now with us; from them we had learned all the details by a complete
inquiry."
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