The Presbyters Project

Letter 70

Leo informs the Empress that he would not accept the appointment of Anatolius for the see of Constantinople until Anatolius makes the open confession of the faith as defined at the councils in Nicea (AD 325) and Ephesus (AD 431), the letter of Cyril of Alexandria and the Tome to Flavian.

[...] Ad effectum vero salubrium dispositionum velocius obtinendum, fratres et coepiscopos meos Abundium et Asterium, sed et Basilium et Senatorem presbyteros probatissimos viros misi, qui clementiae vestrae formam fidei quam secundum doctrinam venerabilium Patrum praedicamus offerrent, et remotis circumlocutionibus quibus obscurari veritas solet, quid de incarnatione Filii Dei a totius orbis probatis sacerdotibus defensum fuisset ostenderent: quos post divinam gratiam sancto vestrae pietatis auxilio dignum est adiuvari, ne in totius Ecclesiae perturbationem imprudens procedat intentio: cum correctione adhibita omnes oporteat in unius confessionis redire concordiam. A qua si forsitan ab aliquibus discrepatur, universale concilium sacerdotum haberi intra Italiam, clementia vestra annitente, iubeatur: quo remota arte fallendi, tandem pateat quid altiore tractatu aut coerceri debeat aut sanari. Data XVII kalendas Augusti, Valentiniano Augusto septies, et Avieno v. c. consulibus.

(Patrologia Latina 54, 893-895 = Ballerini 1753: 1005-1008)

Letter 70

[...] In order to achieve as soon as possible this salutary effect I have sent my brothers and fellow-bishops, Abundius and Asterius, as well as Basilius and Senator, the presbyters, men proved in faith, who will present the definition of faith which we confess according to the teaching of the Fathers. Having removed all the circumlocutions which tend to obscure the truth they will show what should be defended by all the proven priests of all the world in regard to the Incarnation of the Son of God [...].

Later Leo mentions the necessity of the general gathering in Italy in order to sort out any differences on faith. The letter is dated to the 17th day before the Kalends of August in the consulship of Valentinanus Augustus for the 7th time and Avienus (=17 July 450).

(trans. and summary M. Szada)

Discussion:

We know that the Presbyter Basilius belonged to the clergy of Naples from the fragmentary acts of the synod that took place in Constantinople in 450 (see PCBE, Italie, v. 1, Basilius 5). Senator, for his part, was most probably the presbyter of Milan - Bishop Eusebius of Milan (Letter 97 in the collection of the letters of Leo) calls Senator his "compresbyter" [...].

Place of event:

Region

Rome
Gaul

City

Rome
Arles

About the source:

Author: Leo the Great
Title: Letters, Epistulae
Origin: Rome (Rome)
Denomination: Catholic/Nicene/Chalcedonian

Leo the Great was the bishop of Rome from AD 440 to his death in AD 461. We have the collection of 173 letters of Leo.

Anatolius succeeded in the see of Constantinople Flavianus, deposed by the Second Council of Ephesus in AD 449. Leo the Great considered the decisions of the council void, but after the death of Flavianus in AD 449, he informed the Emperor that he could accept Anatolius as the Bishop of Constantinople if he confesses the faith as defined by the councils of Nicea and Ephesus I, the letter of Cyril of Alexandria and the Tome to Flavianus. Anatolius complied to that, and in AD 451 he presided over the Council of Chalcedon. He died in AD 458. See Wessel 2008: 42-43.

Edition:

P. and G. Ballerini eds., Sancti Leoni Magni Romani pontificis opera, vol. 1, Venice 1753

Patrologia Latina, vol. 54

Translation:

Leo the Great, Letters, trans. Ch. Lett Feltoe, [in:] The Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church, 2nd series, vol. 12, Edinburgh 1895, 1-114

Bibliography:

S. Wessel, Leo the Great and the spiritual rebuilding of a universal Rome, Leiden ; Boston 2008.

Categories:

Travel and change of residence

Described by a title - Presbyter/πρεσβύτερος

Ecclesiastical administration - Ecclesiastical envoy

PR768.

Relation with - Bishop/Monastic superior

Relation with - Monarch and royal/imperial family

Relation with - Secular authority

Please quote this record referring to its author, database name, number, and, if possible, stable URL: M. Szada, Presbyters in the Late Antique West, ER1706, https://presbytersproject.ihuw.pl/index.php?id=6&SourceID=1706