St. Gelasius I, 492-496

forbid these writings also, that is: the Sacred Synod of NICEA . . . EPHESUS . . . [and] CHALCEDON . . . to be received after those of the Old or New Testament, which we regularly accept.

165. (3) Likewise the works of blessed Caecilius Cyprian . . . [and in the same way the works of Gregory Nazianzen, Basil, Athanasius, John (Chrysostom), Theophilus, Cyril of Alexandria, Hilary, Ambrose, Augustine, Jerome, (and) Prosper may be admitted]. Also the epistle of blessed LEO the Pope to Flavian [dogmatic, see n. 143 f.] . . . ; if anyone argues concerning the text of this one even in regard to one iota, and does not receive it in all respects reverently, let him be anathema.

Likewise it decrees that the works and treatises of all the orthodox Fathers who in no [way] have deviated from the society of the holy Roman Church . . . ought to be read.

Likewise, too, the decretal epistles, which the most blessed Popes . . . have written, ought to be received with reverence.

Likewise the deeds of the holy martyrs . . . [which] with remarkable caution are not read in the holy Roman Church . . . because the names of those who wrote (them) are entirely unknown . . . lest an occasion of light mockery arise. We, however, with the aforementioned Church venerate with every devotion both all the martyrs and the glorious combats of those who are known to God rather than to men.

Likewise we acknowledge with all honor the lives of the Fathers, of Paul, of Anthony, of Hilary, and of all the hermits, which however the most blessed Jerome has described.

[Finally many other writings are enumerated and praised, with addition however:]

But . . . let the judgment of blessed Paul the Apostle lead the way: "Prove . . . all things, hold that which is good" [I Thess. 5:21].

Other things which have been written or published by heretics or schismatics, the Catholic and apostolic Roman Church in nowise receives. We believe that a few of these . . . ought to be appended.

The Apocrypha "which are not accepted"¹

[From the same epistle or "Decretal"]

166. (4) [After the long series of apocrypha has been presented, the Decree of Gelasius is thus concluded:] These and [writings] similar to these, which . . . all the heresiarchs and their disciples, or the schismatics have taught or written . . . , we confess have not only been rejected, but also banished from the whole Roman Catholic and apostolic Church