Letter to Michael Cerularius
The reply of the patriarch of Antioch to Michael Cerularius. He corrects Michael’s history, rejects the Latin addition to the creed, treats most other Latin customs as tolerable, and begs him not to widen the breach.
Peter had become patriarch of Antioch shortly before and had himself exchanged letters with Rome. His reply is the best contemporary evidence that an eastern patriarch could regard the quarrel of 1054 as mendable. He tells Michael Cerularius that forty-five years earlier he had himself heard the pope named in the liturgy at Constantinople (chapter 5); that nothing may be added to the creed (chapter 12); that the Latins “are our brothers”, even if rough and unlearned (chapter 14); that the matter should be put to the next pope once one is elected (chapter 19); and that pressing every point may make the tear worse (chapter 21). He speaks of the pope who had written to him as “of blessed memory”.
Cited in
- 16 July 1054, firm date