Letter 4023: Since no one of your race is a Christian, I hereby know that you are better than all your race, in that thou in it art found to be a Christian. For, while all the Barbaricini live as senseless animals, know not the true God, but adore stocks and stones, in the very fact that you worship the true God thou show how much you excel them all. But car...
Gregory to Hospito, Duke of the Barbaricini.
Since no one else of your people is a Christian, I know you are better than all your kinsmen — for you alone among them have been found to be a Christian. While all the Barbaricini live like mindless animals, not knowing the true God but worshipping sticks and stones, the very fact that you worship the true God shows how far you surpass them all.
But hold fast to the faith you have received. Carry it out in good deeds and good words. Offer to Christ, in whom you believe, everything within your power: bring as many of your people to Him as you can, see that they are baptized, and urge them to set their hearts on eternal life.
If you are unable to do this yourself, being otherwise occupied, I ask you — with my greeting — to give every assistance to the men we have sent to your region: my fellow bishop Felix and my son, the servant of God, Cyriacus. By supporting their work, you will demonstrate your devotion to Almighty God, and He whose servants you assist in their good labor will be your helper in all good things.
Through them we have sent you a blessing from Saint Peter the Apostle, which I trust you will receive, as you should, with a glad heart. The month of June, Indiction 12.
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Fields: letter text, metadata, source links. Source: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/360204023.htm
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