Letter 27: A similar decree concerning two serfs of Maxima, an illustrious and magnificent lady, who have been ordained as...

Of Pope Gelasius, to the bishops Rufinus and Aprilis. (494) A similar decree concerning two bondsmen [persons born in servile dependency upon an estate] of Maxima, an illustrious and magnificent woman, who had been ordained as deacons. Pope Gelasius to the bishops Rufinus and Aprilis. For who would say that the laws of princes, or the rules of the Fathers, or recent admonitions ought to be despised, except one who reckons that he may commit such great offenses with impunity? Indeed the agents of our daughter, the illustrious and magnificent woman Maxima, have complained to us through the presentation of a petition that Silvester and Candidus, their own bondsmen, contrary to the constitutions which have been mentioned above, and with their objection having been put forward beforehand, were ordained as deacons by Lucerinus the bishop. Therefore, dearest brothers, know that the excesses of so great a transgression must be investigated more keenly; and if it shall have been established that the complaint is supported by the truth, then at once let those who, with the objection having been put forward beforehand, were not lawfully appointed, be expelled from the sacred offices.

Gelasii papae ad Buflnum et Aprilem episcopos. (a.494 I.S5. Simile decretum de duobus originariis Maximae iUuslris et magnificae feminae diaconis ordinatis. Gelasius papa Rufino et Aprili episeopis. Quis enim aut leges principum aut patrum regulas aut admo- nitiones modemas dicat debere contemni, iiisi qui impunitum sibi tantum aestimet transire commissima? Actores siquidem filiae nostrae illustris et magnificae feminae Maximae jietitorii nobis insinuatione conquesti sunt, Silvestrupi atque Candidum originarios ^) suos contra conBtitutiones^ quae supra dictae sunt, et contradictione praeeunte a Ijucerino^) pontifice diaconos ordinatos. Ideo, fratres carissimi, tantae praeyaricationis excessus noveritis sagacius inquirendos-, et si constiterit querelam veritate fulciri, continuo, qui contradictione praeeunte non legitime sunt creati, a sacris officiis repellantur'*).