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

This short letter gives insights into what exactly Melitius was doing, 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 Greek text below is that of Routh as found in Reliquae Sacrae, IV, 94. The English translation was produced by Dr. Thompson and J. Sauer for FCC.

Click here to access a downloadable pdf of this document.

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 the beloved brother in the Lord. Greetings.
Quoniam cognoui Meletium nihil per utilitatem [agere]. cui nec beatissimorum episcoporum ac martyrum epistola placuit. sed insuper ingressum nostram paroeciam tantum sibi adsumpsisse, ut etiam ex mea auctoritate presbyteros, et quibus permissum erat egentes uisitare, conaretur separare. et indicium suae cupiditatis in [principatum], quosdam sibi ordinasse in carcere; modo illud obseruate, ne ei communicetis, donec occurram illi cum sapientibus uiris, et uideam quae sunt, quae cogitauit. Valete.I have discovered that Melitius is not at all acting for the common good. He is not content with the letter of our most holy bishops and martyrs, but rather, after entering my parish, has taken for himself a very great position. The result is that he has attempted to alienate the presbyters from my authority, as well as those entrusted with visiting the needy. He has indicated his desire for pre-eminence by ordaining several presbyters for himself while in prison and the mines. Pay attention that you have no fellowship with him, until together with some wise men, I can meet him and evaluate these things which he is planning. Farewell.

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