Reference:Mel. 2, CPG 1641, FNS 2
Incipit:Quoniam cognouit Meletium nihil pro utilitatem
Date:c. 303–306
Greek Text:Kettler, ZNW, 35, 162–163; Codex Veronensis, LX, ed. M.J. Routh, Reliquae Sacrae, IV, 94; Migne, P.G. XVIII, 509–510
English Translation:FCC: JTS; ANF vol. 6, p. 280

This short letter, a Latin translation of the lost Greek original, gives insights into what exactly Melitius was doing at the start of the controversy, albeit from the opposition’s point of view. Bishop Peter of Alexandria still wishes to meet with Melitius and come up with a solution to the developing controversy.

The Latin text below is that of Kettler as found in Zeitschrift für die neutestamentliche Wissenschaft, 35, 162–163. The English translation was produced by J. Sauer for FCC.

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The translation below is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.

Petrus in fide dei stabilitis dilectis fratribus in domino salutem.Peter in the firm faith of God to dear brothers in the Lord. Greetings.
Quoniam cognoui[t] Meletium nihil pro utilitatem, cui nec beatissimorum episcoporum [h]ac martyrum epistula non placuit, sed insuper ingressus nostram paroeciam tantum sibi adsumpsisse, ut etiam ex mea auctoritate[m] presbyteros et quibus permissum erat egentes uisitare, conaretur separare et, inditium sue cupiditatis in principatu, quosdam sibi ordinasse in carcere et m<eta>llo: obseruate, ne ei communicetis, donec o<ccu>rram illi cum sapientibus uiris et uideam que sunt que cogitauit. Valete.Since no one has found that Melitius is working for common benefit, to whom this letter of the most blessed martyred bishops is not pleasing. Instead, it is pleasing for him, entering our parish, to adopt for himself so great a position that he would try to separate from my authority the presbyters and those who are permitted to visit those in need and, indicating his desire to rule, to ordain for himself certain people while in prison and in the mines. Pay attention that you do have no fellowship with him until I with wise men may meet with him and understand what the things he has planned are. Farewell.

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