Letter 8021: Felix, the bearer of these presents, has complained to us that, being born of Christian parents, he was given (i.e. as a slave) by a certain Christian to a Samaræan , which is an atrocious thing to be said. And, though neither order of law nor reverence for religion allow men of such like superstition in any way whatever to possess Christian sla...
Gregory to John, Bishop of Syracuse.
Felix, who carries this letter, has brought a disturbing case to my attention. Born to Christian parents, he was given as a slave by a Christian to a Samaritan [a member of the Samaritan religious community] -- which is outrageous. Neither law nor basic religious decency allows people of such a sect to own Christian slaves. Yet Felix says he remained in that man's service for eighteen years.
When your predecessor, Bishop Maximianus of holy memory, learned of the situation, he rightly freed Felix from the Samaritan's service out of proper priestly concern. But now, five years later, the Samaritan's son -- who has since become a Christian -- and certain others are trying to reclaim Felix as a slave.
Your Holiness should investigate the facts carefully. If they are as reported, protect Felix. Do not allow anyone to harass him under any pretext. The law plainly forbids slaves of that sect who come to the faith before their masters from being reclaimed. How much less should this man -- born Christian, raised Christian -- be subjected to any such claim? His former owner's father was the one who should have faced legal punishment for the outrage of enslaving a Christian in the first place.
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