Anton Anashkin, Cand. Sci. (Philology), Deputy Dean for Research, Faculty of Theology, Saint Tikhon’s Orthodox University for the Humanities; Associate Professor, Moscow State Linguistic University
pp. 208–228
The paper includes a publication of a Latin translation of the Epistle Divinae cultum addressed by a group of bishops from Southern Gaul to Pope Leo I the Great, as well as a historical and philological commentary and an introductory article. The article begins with the outline of the historical context and content of the letter. The letter Memores quantum (April 450) serves as one of the important sources for our understanding of the dispute between the sees of Arles and Vienne over ecclesiastical primacy in province Viennensis. The immediate occasion for the appeal was the conflict between Ravennius, bishop of Arles, and Nicetas, bishop of Vienne, which arose following the ordination of Fonteius to the see of Vaison. This ordination violated the jurisdictional rights of Vienne, as established by Pope Leo in 445. The primary aim of the letter appears to be an attempt to restore the Church of Arles’ right to consecrate bishops for Gaul — a prerogative lost due to the conflict between Pope Leo and Hilary of Arles. The authors appeal to the historical privileges of the Church of Arles, justifying its primacy by ancient traditions, apostolic succession from Saint Trophimus, and the special status of the city. They emphasize that the Bishop of Arles, referred to by Emperors Valentinian and Honorius as the «mother of all the Gauls» (mater omnium Galliarum) historically held the right to consecrate bishops in the region and oversaw the observance of ecclesiastical rules, effectively acting as a representative of the apostolic see. In the epistle, the bishops ask Pope Leo to restore the lost privileges of the see of Arles, citing precedents and ancient customs that had been disrupted by «the circumstances of the time» (pro tempore). However, in his response, Lectis dilectionis (May 5, 450), the pope only partially acceded to their demands, confirming the metropolitan status of Arles but leaving its claims to primacy over all of Gaul and the right to consecrate bishops in three provinces unaddressed.
Keywords: St. Trophimus, Latin West, Leo the Great, Hilary of Arles, Bishop Ravennius of Arles, Churches of Gaul, Southern Gaul, Arelate, Constantina, Vienne, Septem Provinciae, Church organization, church primacy, apostolic succession, ordination of bishops
For citation: Anashkin A. V. (2026). “Epistle of the Bishops of Southern Gaul to the Pope of Rome Leo I the Great”. The Quarterly Journal of St. Philaret’s Institute, v. 18, iss. 1 (57), pp. 208–228. DOI: 10.25803/26587599_2026_1_57_208. EDN: FICDXS.