Letters on Tolerance

This collection includes letters from St. Gregory the Great (Dvoeslov), devoted to the issues of converting Jews and heretics to Christianity. These letters provide a valuable source for understanding the Church's views on religious tolerance and missionary practices in the early Middle Ages. St. Gregory defends the principle of voluntary acceptance of faith, opposing forced conversion to Christianity. He emphasizes the need for a gentle, persuasive approach to Jews and heretics, based on preaching, good example, and allowing them the freedom to study Christian doctrine. The letters contain specific instructions for organizing missionary work, protecting converts from oppression, and ways to counter heretical errors. Contents 1. Bacauda and Agnellus bishops 2. Peter, bishop of Tarrazina 3. Paschasius, bishop of Naples 4. Jannuarius, bishop of Caralite 1. Bakavda and Agnell to the bishops The Jews living in Terracina asked me to allow their synagogue to remain in the place where it had previously been. But since I heard that this place is so close to the church that the voices of those singing in the synagogue can be heard in it; then I wrote to my brother and fellow bishop Peter, asking him to forbid the Jews to have solemn meetings there, if in fact the voices of their singers could be heard in the church; I charge you, dear brethren, to inspect this place together with Peter. If you find that the synagogue on this site is harmful to the church; then designate another place in the fortress where they could gather for the unhindered performance of their rituals, however, such that if subsequently they had to be deprived of it, would any complaints arise because of it? The designated Jews should not be insulted or embarrassed. How Roman laws grant them life; Thus, according to the law of justice, they must direct their actions without any obstacle; They just can’t have Christians in their service. Book 1. Letters. 10. 2. Peter, Bishop of Tarrazina The bearer of this letter, the Jew Joseph, announced to me that you, dear brother, drove the Jews living in the Tarrazina fortress from the place where they usually gathered to perform their rites; and that although they moved to another place with your knowledge and consent, they were driven out of that one too. If this is true; then I advise you to behave in such a way that next time there will be no such complaint against you, and to allow the Jews to gather, according to custom, in the place that they owned - it was with your knowledge, because those who do not profess the Christian faith must be brought into the unity of faith by meekness, affection, advice and admonitions, so as not to alienate from it by threat and fear those who can still be influenced by quiet preaching and fear of the future court Therefore, try to make them more willing to listen to the word of God from you, rather than afraid of your excessive severity. Book 1. Letters. 35. 3. Paschasius, Bishop of Naples If we sincerely want to lead strangers to the true faith, then we must try to behave meekly, and not strictly, so as not to alienate those who can still be influenced through persuasion. Those who act differently and want to keep those who oppose the faith from performing their rituals are not doing God’s work, but are seeking their own glory. The Jews living in Naples complained to me that many there were trying to prevent them from performing certain rituals of their religion, and to deprive them of the right to celebrate their holidays in the same way as they and their ancestors had performed them since ancient times. If it's fair; then those who strive for this do so in vain, because what is the benefit of the fact that the Jews will be prohibited from their ancient customs, when this will not make their conversion easier, or what is the benefit of prescribing to them how they should perform their rituals, when through this it is impossible to persuade them to believe? We must deal with them very meekly, and try to ensure that they cleave to us and not run away from us; We must convert them by proving the truth of our words from their own books. So, dear brother, try as much as possible, with the help of God, to persuade them to convert more by exhortations, and do not allow them to be disturbed in the performance of their rites. Let them correct all their holidays freely, just as they themselves and their ancestors have corrected since ancient times. Book 12. Letters. 13. 4. Jannuarius, Bishop of Caralite The Jews living in your city came to me and complained that Peter, who, by the will of the Lord, had turned from their error to the Christian faith, the day after his baptism, that is, on St. Easter, with the help of some uneducated people, without your permission, to no small temptation, he took possession of the synagogue that they had in Karalit, and placed in it an icon of the Mother of God and an honorable cross, and placed his white robe, in which he was clothed upon leaving the baptismal font. My children, the soldiers of Euparet, and many other noble people of your city informed me about this in letters. However, they say that you anticipated and restrained Peter from such an act. Having learned about this, I praised you because you did not want, as befits a good shepherd, for a reprehensible act to be committed; and since, having not taken part in a bad deed, you revealed your disgust for a reckless act; then, in accordance with your intention, and more so the court, I advise you to remove the icon and the cross with due honor, and return to them what was taken from the Jews by force, because the law only forbids them to build new synagogues, but allows them to use the old ones without hindrance. And if the aforementioned Peter and others who participated in such an indecent act begin to say that they did this out of inspiration of zeal for the faith, and that this is how they should convert the Jews; then try to instill in them that it is necessary to deal with the Jews moderately so that they adhere to the faith by will, and are not drawn by force, because the scripture says: I will devour You with my will (Ps. 53:8) and I will confess to Him with my will (Ps. 27:7). In addition, holy father, with the help of your like-minded children, try to reconcile the inhabitants of your city, because especially at this time, when enemy invasion threatens, you must not allow discord to arise among the people. However, caring as much for you as for myself, I inform you that Agalulf, the leader of the Lombards, will not be reconciled even after this peace is concluded: therefore you must take care of the best fortification of the city and other places, and insist that there be as many reserves as possible, so that the enemy does not find an opportunity to win, and retreat in shame. If possible, I also take care of you and insist to those who should prepare, with the help of God, to repel the enemy, because just as you consider my misfortunes to be yours, so I assimilate your sorrows to myself. To 9. Letters. 6.