Letter
XLII.
To Ravennius, Bishop of
Arles.
Leo the Pope to his well-beloved brother Ravennius.
He asks him to
deal with the imposture of a certain Petronianus.
We wish you to be circumspect and careful lest any
blameworthy presumption should put forth undue claims: for, when
it once finds an entrance by crafty stealth, it spreads itself into
greater rashness in the name of the dignity it has assumed. We
have learnt, on the trustworthy evidence of your clergy, that a certain
wandering and vagabond Petronianus has boasted himself throughout the
provinces of Gaul as our deacon, and under cover of this office is
going about the various churches of that country. We desire you,
beloved brother, so to check his abominable effrontery, as to disclose
his imposture, by warning the bishops of the whole district, and to
expel him from communion with all the Churches, lest he continue his
claim. The
Lord
keep you safe, dearly
beloved brother. Dated 26th, August, in the consulship of the
illustrious Asturius and Protogenes (449).