The Confession of the Catholic Faith (the Tome of Damasus) (complete)

Authorship disputed: Confession of the catholic faith in twenty-four anathemas, in Coustant's edition the second of Pope Damasus's letters to Paulinus of Antioch (Epistola IV); usually linked with the Roman council of 382 (the 'Tome of Damasus'). The date (378–382) and whether it came from one council are debated. Theodoret, Hist. eccl. 5.11, preserves a Greek version, which is not staged.

Latin text: PL 13 (Latin text: Migne, PL 13 (1845), digitized by Open Greek and Latin (patrologia_latina-dev), University of Leipzig, CC BY-SA 4.0).English: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), public domain (CC0).

Show

Preamble

0PL 13:358b–358c

Post concilium Nicaenum, quod in urbe Roma concilium congregatum est a catholicis episcopis, addiderunt de Spiritu sancto. Et quia postea is error inolevit, ut quidam ore sacrilego auderent dicere Spiritum Sanctum factum esse per Filium.

After the Council of Nicaea, the council assembled in the city of Rome by catholic bishops added this concerning the Holy Spirit. And because afterwards this error grew up, that certain people dared to say with sacrilegious mouth that the Holy Spirit was made through the Son, …

Notes and citation

Summary: Preface: the Roman council adds anathemas concerning the Holy Spirit, because some had begun to say that the Spirit was made through the Son.

  • The "Tome of Damasus", a series of anathemas issued by a Roman synod under Pope Damasus (probably 382; the date is disputed, and some place the core of it earlier, ca. 377–380), printed in PL 13. Theodoret, Church History 5.11, gives a Greek version.
  • The preface breaks off in the Latin as printed: the sentence beginning "And because …" has no main clause. The Greek version in Theodoret reads it as introducing the anathemas that follow.

Notes on the original text

  • Digital text corrected (OCR slip; stray mark in the digital text): a' catholicis → a catholicis; facium → factum.

Topics: Trinity, Heresy

Cite (SBL): Tom. Dam. pref. (PL 13:358b–358c; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-rome-382-tomus/0/#p-0). (abbreviation not yet checked)

BibTeX · RIS (whole work; this passage's key: sophiascriptura-council-rome-382-tomus-0) · Report an error

Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin (PL 13); compared afterwards for sense with the Greek version in Theodoret 5.11 (NPNF² 3).

Chapter 1

1PL 13:358c

Anathematizamus eos, qui non tota libertate proclamant, cum Patre et Filio unius potestatis esse atque substantiae.

We anathematize those who do not proclaim with full freedom that he is of one power and substance with the Father and the Son.

Notes and citation

Summary: Anathema on those who do not confess the Holy Spirit to be of one power and substance with the Father and the Son.

  • "He" is the Holy Spirit, named in the preface.

Topics: Trinity, Heresy

Cite (SBL): Tom. Dam. 1 (PL 13:358c; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-rome-382-tomus/0/#p-1). (abbreviation not yet checked)

BibTeX · RIS (whole work; this passage's key: sophiascriptura-council-rome-382-tomus-1) · Report an error

Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin (PL 13); compared afterwards for sense with the Greek version in Theodoret 5.11 (NPNF² 3).

Chapter 2

2PL 13:358c

Anathematizamus quoque eos, qui Sabellii sequuntur errorem, eumdem dicentes patrem esse, quem Filium.

We anathematize also those who follow the error of Sabellius, saying that the Father is the same as the Son.

Notes and citation

Summary: Anathema on the Sabellians, who identify the Father with the Son.

Topics: Trinity, Heresy

Cite (SBL): Tom. Dam. 2 (PL 13:358c; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-rome-382-tomus/0/#p-2). (abbreviation not yet checked)

BibTeX · RIS (whole work; this passage's key: sophiascriptura-council-rome-382-tomus-2) · Report an error

Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin (PL 13); compared afterwards for sense with the Greek version in Theodoret 5.11 (NPNF² 3).

Chapter 3

3PL 13:359a

Anathematizamus Arium, atque Eunomium, qui pari impietate, licet sermone dissimili Filium et Spiritum sanctum asserunt esse creaturas.

We anathematize Arius and Eunomius, who with equal impiety, though in different language, assert that the Son and the Holy Spirit are creatures.

Notes and citation

Summary: Anathema on Arius and Eunomius, who call the Son and the Spirit creatures.

Notes on the original text

  • Digital text corrected (OCR slip): Eunonium → Eunomium.

Topics: Trinity, Heresy

Cite (SBL): Tom. Dam. 3 (PL 13:359a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-rome-382-tomus/0/#p-3). (abbreviation not yet checked)

BibTeX · RIS (whole work; this passage's key: sophiascriptura-council-rome-382-tomus-3) · Report an error

Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin (PL 13); compared afterwards for sense with the Greek version in Theodoret 5.11 (NPNF² 3).

Chapter 4

4PL 13:359a

Anathematizamus Macedonianos, qui de Arii stirpe venientes non perfidiam mutavere, sed nomen.

We anathematize the Macedonians, who, coming from the stock of Arius, have changed not their faithlessness but their name.

Notes and citation

Summary: Anathema on the Macedonians, who are Arians under another name.

  • The Macedonians (Pneumatomachi) denied the full divinity of the Holy Spirit.

Topics: Trinity, Heresy

Cite (SBL): Tom. Dam. 4 (PL 13:359a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-rome-382-tomus/0/#p-4). (abbreviation not yet checked)

BibTeX · RIS (whole work; this passage's key: sophiascriptura-council-rome-382-tomus-4) · Report an error

Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin (PL 13); compared afterwards for sense with the Greek version in Theodoret 5.11 (NPNF² 3).

Chapter 5

5PL 13:359a

Anathematizamus Photinum, qui Hebionis haeresim instaurans, Dominum Jesum Christum tantum ex Maria confitetur.

We anathematize Photinus, who, renewing the heresy of Ebion, confesses the Lord Jesus Christ to be only from Mary.

Notes and citation

Summary: Anathema on Photinus, who holds that Christ exists only from Mary.

  • Photinus of Sirmium held that the Son did not exist as a person before his birth from Mary; "Ebion" is the supposed founder of the Ebionites.

Topics: Christology, Heresy

Cite (SBL): Tom. Dam. 5 (PL 13:359a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-rome-382-tomus/0/#p-5). (abbreviation not yet checked)

BibTeX · RIS (whole work; this passage's key: sophiascriptura-council-rome-382-tomus-5) · Report an error

Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin (PL 13); compared afterwards for sense with the Greek version in Theodoret 5.11 (NPNF² 3).

Chapter 6

6PL 13:359a

Anathematizamus eos, qui duos Filios asserunt, unum ante saecula, et alterum post assumptionem carnis ex Virgine.

We anathematize those who assert two Sons, one before the ages and another after the assumption of flesh from the Virgin.

Notes and citation

Summary: Anathema on those who teach two Sons, one eternal and one born of the Virgin.

Topics: Christology, Heresy

Cite (SBL): Tom. Dam. 6 (PL 13:359a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-rome-382-tomus/0/#p-6). (abbreviation not yet checked)

BibTeX · RIS (whole work; this passage's key: sophiascriptura-council-rome-382-tomus-6) · Report an error

Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin (PL 13); compared afterwards for sense with the Greek version in Theodoret 5.11 (NPNF² 3).

Chapter 7

7PL 13:360a

Anathematizamus eos, qui pro hominis anima rationali, et intelligibili, dicunt Dei Verbum in humana carne versatum, cum ipse Filius sit Verbum Dei, et non pro anima rationali, et intelligibili in suo corpore fuerit, sed nostram, id est intelligibilem sine peccato animam susceperit, atque salvaverit.

We anathematize those who say that the Word of God dwelt in human flesh in place of the rational and intelligent human soul; for the Son himself is the Word of God, and was not in his body in place of a rational and intelligent soul, but took up our soul, that is, an intelligent soul without sin, and saved it.

Notes and citation

Summary: Anathema on those who say the Word took the place of a human rational soul in Christ (the Apollinarian view).

  • Directed against Apollinarius, who held that the divine Word took the place of the human mind in Christ.

Notes on the original text

  • Digital text corrected (OCR slip): intelliglbilem → intelligibilem.

Topics: Christology, Heresy

Cite (SBL): Tom. Dam. 7 (PL 13:360a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-rome-382-tomus/0/#p-7). (abbreviation not yet checked)

BibTeX · RIS (whole work; this passage's key: sophiascriptura-council-rome-382-tomus-7) · Report an error

Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin (PL 13); compared afterwards for sense with the Greek version in Theodoret 5.11 (NPNF² 3).

Chapter 8

8PL 13:360a

Anathematizamus eos, qui Verbum Filium Dei extensione, aut collectione, et a Patre separatum, insubstantivum, et finem habiturum esse contendunt.

We anathematize those who contend that the Word, the Son of God, is by extension or contraction, and separated from the Father, without substance, and destined to have an end.

Notes and citation

Summary: Anathema on those who make the Word an expansion or contraction of the Father, without real substance and destined to end.

  • Directed against the teaching ascribed to Marcellus of Ancyra and Photinus, that the Word is an extension of the Father and will be withdrawn into him at the end. "Insubstantivum": having no substance (existence) of his own.

Topics: Christology, Trinity, Heresy

Cite (SBL): Tom. Dam. 8 (PL 13:360a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-rome-382-tomus/0/#p-8). (abbreviation not yet checked)

BibTeX · RIS (whole work; this passage's key: sophiascriptura-council-rome-382-tomus-8) · Report an error

Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin (PL 13); compared afterwards for sense with the Greek version in Theodoret 5.11 (NPNF² 3).

Chapter 9

9PL 13:360a–361a

Eos quoque, qui de Ecclesiis ad Ecclesias migraverunt tamdiu a communione nostra habemus alienos, quamdiu ad eas civitates redierint, in quibus primum sunt constituti. Quod si alius alio transmigrante in locum viventis est ordinatus, tamdiu vacet sacerdotis dignitate, qui suam deseruit civitatem, quamdiu successor ejus quiescat in pace.

Those also who have moved from churches to churches we hold as strangers to our communion until they return to the cities in which they were first appointed. But if, when one has moved elsewhere, another has been ordained in the place of the living man, then the one who deserted his own city is to be without the dignity of the priesthood until his successor rests in peace.

Notes and citation

Summary: Bishops who move from one see to another are out of communion until they return; if a successor has been ordained, the deserter lacks priestly rank until that successor dies.

  • "Priesthood" (sacerdotis dignitate): here the episcopal office.

Notes on the original text

  • Digital text corrected (word split in the digital text): habe mus → habemus.

Topics: Church office

Cite (SBL): Tom. Dam. 9 (PL 13:360a–361a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-rome-382-tomus/0/#p-9). (abbreviation not yet checked)

BibTeX · RIS (whole work; this passage's key: sophiascriptura-council-rome-382-tomus-9) · Report an error

Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin (PL 13); compared afterwards for sense with the Greek version in Theodoret 5.11 (NPNF² 3).

Chapter 10

10PL 13:361a

Si quis non dixerit semper Filium et semper Spiritum sanctum esse, anathema sit.

If anyone does not say that the Son always is and the Holy Spirit always is, let him be anathema.

Notes and citation

Summary: Anathema on whoever denies that the Son and the Spirit always exist.

Topics: Trinity

Cite (SBL): Tom. Dam. 10 (PL 13:361a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-rome-382-tomus/0/#p-10). (abbreviation not yet checked)

BibTeX · RIS (whole work; this passage's key: sophiascriptura-council-rome-382-tomus-10) · Report an error

Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin (PL 13); compared afterwards for sense with the Greek version in Theodoret 5.11 (NPNF² 3).

Chapter 11

11PL 13:361a

Si quis non dixerit Filium natum de Patre, id est de divina substantia ipsius, anathema sit.

If anyone does not say that the Son was born of the Father, that is, of his divine substance, let him be anathema.

Notes and citation

Summary: Anathema on whoever denies that the Son is born of the Father's divine substance.

Topics: Trinity, Christology

Cite (SBL): Tom. Dam. 11 (PL 13:361a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-rome-382-tomus/0/#p-11). (abbreviation not yet checked)

BibTeX · RIS (whole work; this passage's key: sophiascriptura-council-rome-382-tomus-11) · Report an error

Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin (PL 13); compared afterwards for sense with the Greek version in Theodoret 5.11 (NPNF² 3).

Chapter 12

12PL 13:361a

Si quis non dixerit Verbum Domini Filium Dei Deum, sicut Deum Patrem ejus, et omnia posse, et omnia nosse et Patri aequalem, anathema sit.

If anyone does not say that the Word of the Lord, the Son of God, is God, as God his Father is, and that he can do all things and knows all things and is equal to the Father, let him be anathema.

Notes and citation

Summary: Anathema on whoever denies that the Son is God, almighty, all-knowing, and equal to the Father.

Topics: Trinity, Christology

Cite (SBL): Tom. Dam. 12 (PL 13:361a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-rome-382-tomus/0/#p-12). (abbreviation not yet checked)

BibTeX · RIS (whole work; this passage's key: sophiascriptura-council-rome-382-tomus-12) · Report an error

Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin (PL 13); compared afterwards for sense with the Greek version in Theodoret 5.11 (NPNF² 3).

Chapter 13

13PL 13:361a–362a

Si quis dixerit, quod in carne constitutus filius Dei, cum esset in terra, in coelis cum Patre non erat, anathema sit.

If anyone says that the Son of God, when he was in the flesh and was on earth, was not in the heavens with the Father, let him be anathema.

John 3:13 (echo, medium confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Anathema on whoever denies that the incarnate Son was also in heaven with the Father.

Topics: Christology

Cite (SBL): Tom. Dam. 13 (PL 13:361a–362a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-rome-382-tomus/0/#p-13). (abbreviation not yet checked)

BibTeX · RIS (whole work; this passage's key: sophiascriptura-council-rome-382-tomus-13) · Report an error

Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin (PL 13); compared afterwards for sense with the Greek version in Theodoret 5.11 (NPNF² 3).

Chapter 14

14PL 13:362a

Si quis dixerit quod in passione crucis dolorem sustinebat Filius Dei Deus, et non caro cum anima, qua induerat formam servi, quam sibi acceperat, sicut ait Scriptura, anathema sit.

If anyone says that in the passion of the cross it was God the Son of God who bore the pain, and not the flesh together with the soul, with which he had clothed the form of a servant that he had taken to himself, as Scripture says, let him be anathema.

Phil 2:7 (allusion, high confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Anathema on whoever says that the divinity of the Son, and not his flesh with its soul, suffered the pain of the cross.

  • "The form of a servant … as Scripture says": Phil 2:7.
  • The relative clause "qua induerat formam servi" is translated as printed; the Greek version in Theodoret speaks of the soul and flesh he had assumed in the form of a servant.
  • The Greek version in Theodoret adds after this an anathema (on those who deny that the Word suffered and tasted death in the flesh) that is not in this Latin text.

Notes on the original text

  • Digital text corrected (damaged punctuation mark in the digital text): acceperat· → acceperat,.

Topics: Christology

Cite (SBL): Tom. Dam. 14 (PL 13:362a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-rome-382-tomus/0/#p-14). (abbreviation not yet checked)

BibTeX · RIS (whole work; this passage's key: sophiascriptura-council-rome-382-tomus-14) · Report an error

Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin (PL 13); compared afterwards for sense with the Greek version in Theodoret 5.11 (NPNF² 3).

Chapter 15

15PL 13:362a

Si quis non dixerit quod in carne, quam assumpsit, sedet ad dexteram Patris, in qua venturus est judicare vivos et mortuos, anathema sit.

If anyone does not say that in the flesh which he assumed he sits at the right hand of the Father, in which he will come to judge the living and the dead, let him be anathema.

Mark 16:19 (echo, medium confidence) · 2 Tim 4:1 (allusion, medium confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Anathema on whoever denies that Christ sits at the Father's right hand in the flesh he assumed and will come in it to judge.

Notes on the original text

  • Digital text corrected (OCR slip): esi judicare → est judicare.

Topics: Christology, Eschatology

Cite (SBL): Tom. Dam. 15 (PL 13:362a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-rome-382-tomus/0/#p-15). (abbreviation not yet checked)

BibTeX · RIS (whole work; this passage's key: sophiascriptura-council-rome-382-tomus-15) · Report an error

Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin (PL 13); compared afterwards for sense with the Greek version in Theodoret 5.11 (NPNF² 3).

Chapter 16

16PL 13:362a

Si quis non dixerit Spiritum sanctum de Patre esse vere, ac proprie, sicut Filius de divina substantia, et Deum verum, anathema sit.

If anyone does not say that the Holy Spirit is truly and properly from the Father, as the Son is from the divine substance, and is true God, let him be anathema.

John 15:26 (echo, medium confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Anathema on whoever denies that the Holy Spirit is truly from the Father and true God.

Notes on the original text

  • Digital text corrected (OCR slip): saucium → sanctum; anathema silt → anathema sit.

Topics: Trinity

Cite (SBL): Tom. Dam. 16 (PL 13:362a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-rome-382-tomus/0/#p-16). (abbreviation not yet checked)

BibTeX · RIS (whole work; this passage's key: sophiascriptura-council-rome-382-tomus-16) · Report an error

Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin (PL 13); compared afterwards for sense with the Greek version in Theodoret 5.11 (NPNF² 3).

Chapter 17

17PL 13:362a–363a

Si quis non dixerit omnia posse Spiritum sanctum, omnia nosse, et ubique esse, sicut Filium et Patrem, anathema sit.

If anyone does not say that the Holy Spirit can do all things, knows all things, and is everywhere, as the Son and the Father, let him be anathema.

Ps 139:7 (138:7 LXX) (echo, low confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Anathema on whoever denies that the Spirit is almighty, all-knowing, and everywhere present.

Topics: Trinity

Cite (SBL): Tom. Dam. 17 (PL 13:362a–363a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-rome-382-tomus/0/#p-17). (abbreviation not yet checked)

BibTeX · RIS (whole work; this passage's key: sophiascriptura-council-rome-382-tomus-17) · Report an error

Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin (PL 13); compared afterwards for sense with the Greek version in Theodoret 5.11 (NPNF² 3).

Chapter 18

18PL 13:363a

Si quis dixerit Spiritum sanctum facturam, aut per Filium factum, anathema sit.

If anyone says that the Holy Spirit is a thing made, or was made through the Son, let him be anathema.

Notes and citation

Summary: Anathema on whoever calls the Spirit a creature or made through the Son.

Topics: Trinity, Heresy

Cite (SBL): Tom. Dam. 18 (PL 13:363a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-rome-382-tomus/0/#p-18). (abbreviation not yet checked)

BibTeX · RIS (whole work; this passage's key: sophiascriptura-council-rome-382-tomus-18) · Report an error

Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin (PL 13); compared afterwards for sense with the Greek version in Theodoret 5.11 (NPNF² 3).

Chapter 19

19PL 13:363a

Si quis non dixerit omnia per Filium et Spiritum sanctum Patrem, fecisse, id est visibilia, invisibilia, anathema sit.

If anyone does not say that the Father made all things, that is, things visible and invisible, through the Son and the Holy Spirit, let him be anathema.

Col 1:16 (allusion, medium confidence) · John 1:3 (echo, medium confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Anathema on whoever denies that the Father made all things through the Son and the Spirit.

Topics: Trinity

Cite (SBL): Tom. Dam. 19 (PL 13:363a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-rome-382-tomus/0/#p-19). (abbreviation not yet checked)

BibTeX · RIS (whole work; this passage's key: sophiascriptura-council-rome-382-tomus-19) · Report an error

Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin (PL 13); compared afterwards for sense with the Greek version in Theodoret 5.11 (NPNF² 3).

Chapter 20

20PL 13:363a

Si quis non dixerit Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus sancti unam divinitatem, potestatem, majestatem, potentiam, unam gloriam, dominationem, unum regnum, atque unam voluntatem et veritatem, anathema sit.

If anyone does not say that the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit have one divinity, power, majesty, might, one glory, lordship, one kingdom, and one will and truth, let him be anathema.

Notes and citation

Summary: Anathema on whoever denies the one divinity, power, glory, kingdom, and will of the three.

Topics: Trinity

Cite (SBL): Tom. Dam. 20 (PL 13:363a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-rome-382-tomus/0/#p-20). (abbreviation not yet checked)

BibTeX · RIS (whole work; this passage's key: sophiascriptura-council-rome-382-tomus-20) · Report an error

Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin (PL 13); compared afterwards for sense with the Greek version in Theodoret 5.11 (NPNF² 3).

Chapter 21

21PL 13:363a–363b

Si quis tres personas non dixerit veras Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus sancti, aequales, semper viventes, omnia continentes visibilia, et invisibilia, omnia potentes, omnia judicantes, omnia vivificantes, omnia facientes, omnia quae sunt salvanda, salvantes, anathema sit.

If anyone does not say that there are three true persons, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, equal, ever living, holding together all things visible and invisible, able to do all things, judging all things, giving life to all things, making all things, saving all things that are to be saved, let him be anathema.

Notes and citation

Summary: Anathema on whoever denies three true and equal persons who together create, sustain, judge, and save.

Notes on the original text

  • Digital text corrected (word split in the digital text): vivifican tes → vivificantes.

Topics: Trinity

Cite (SBL): Tom. Dam. 21 (PL 13:363a–363b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-rome-382-tomus/0/#p-21). (abbreviation not yet checked)

BibTeX · RIS (whole work; this passage's key: sophiascriptura-council-rome-382-tomus-21) · Report an error

Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin (PL 13); compared afterwards for sense with the Greek version in Theodoret 5.11 (NPNF² 3).

Chapter 22

22PL 13:363b

Si quis non dixerit adorandum Spiritum sanctum ab omni creatura, sicut Filium, et Patrem, anathema sit.

If anyone does not say that the Holy Spirit is to be worshipped by every creature, as the Son and the Father, let him be anathema.

Notes and citation

Summary: Anathema on whoever denies that the Spirit is to be worshipped by all creation like the Father and the Son.

Notes on the original text

  • Digital text corrected (OCR slip): ob omni → ab omni.

Topics: Trinity

Cite (SBL): Tom. Dam. 22 (PL 13:363b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-rome-382-tomus/0/#p-22). (abbreviation not yet checked)

BibTeX · RIS (whole work; this passage's key: sophiascriptura-council-rome-382-tomus-22) · Report an error

Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin (PL 13); compared afterwards for sense with the Greek version in Theodoret 5.11 (NPNF² 3).

Chapter 23

23PL 13:363b–364a

Si quis de Patre et Filio bene senserit, de Spiritu autem sancto non recte habuerit, haereticus est: quod omnes haeretici de Filio Dei, et Spiritu sancto male sentientes, in perfidia Judaeorum et Gentilium inveniuntur.

If anyone thinks rightly about the Father and the Son but does not hold rightly about the Holy Spirit, he is a heretic; for all heretics who think wrongly about the Son of God and the Holy Spirit are found in the faithlessness of the Jews and the Gentiles.

Notes and citation

Summary: Whoever is orthodox about the Father and Son but not about the Spirit is a heretic.

  • Translated as written; the comparison with Jews and Gentiles is the synod's own.

Notes on the original text

  • Digital text corrected (OCR slip): saneto → sancto.

Topics: Trinity, Heresy

Cite (SBL): Tom. Dam. 23 (PL 13:363b–364a; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-rome-382-tomus/0/#p-23). (abbreviation not yet checked)

BibTeX · RIS (whole work; this passage's key: sophiascriptura-council-rome-382-tomus-23) · Report an error

Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin (PL 13); compared afterwards for sense with the Greek version in Theodoret 5.11 (NPNF² 3).

Chapter 24

24PL 13:364a–364b

Quod si quis patiatur, Deum Patrem dicens, et Deum Filium ejus, et Deum Spiritum sanctum, Deos dici, et non Deum propter unam divinitatem et potentiam, quam credimus esse, et scimus, Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus sancti: Deum, subtrahens autem Filium, aut Spiritum sanctum, ita solum existimet esse Deum Patrem, dici, aut credi unum Deum: anathema sit. Nomen namque deorum, et angelis, et sanctis omnibus a Deo est impositum, et donatum; de Patre autem, et Filio, et Spiritu sancto, propter unam aequalem divinitatem, non nomen deorum, sed Dei nobis ostenditur, atque indicatur: ut credamus, quia in Patre, et Filio, et Spiritu sancto solum baptizamur, et non in archangelorum nominibus, aut angelorum, quomodo Haeretici, aut Judaei, aut etiam Gentiles dementes faciunt. Haec ergo est salus Christianorum, ut credentes Trinitati, id est Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui sancto, in ea veram solamque unam divinitatem, et potentiam ac majestatem et substantiam eamdem sine dubio credamus, ut aeternam attingere mereamur ad vitam.

And if anyone, while saying God the Father and God his Son and God the Holy Spirit, allows them to be called gods, and not God, because of the one divinity and power which we believe and know to be of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit; or, taking away the Son or the Holy Spirit, thinks that only God the Father is to be called or believed the one God: let him be anathema. For the name of gods has been given and granted by God both to angels and to all the saints; but of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, because of their one and equal divinity, it is not the name of gods but of God that is shown and declared to us, so that we may believe that we are baptized only into the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and not into the names of archangels or of angels, as heretics or Jews or even foolish Gentiles do. This, then, is the salvation of Christians: that, believing in the Trinity, that is, in the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, we believe without doubt that in it there is the true, only, and one divinity, and the same power, majesty, and substance, so that we may be found worthy to attain eternal life.

Ps 82:6 (81:6 LXX) (allusion, medium confidence) · John 10:34 (echo, low confidence) · Matt 28:19 (allusion, high confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Anathema on whoever calls the three "gods" rather than one God, or calls the Father alone God; Christians are baptized into the one divinity of Father, Son, and Spirit.

  • The first sentence is awkward in the Latin as printed ("… Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus sancti: Deum, subtrahens autem …"); it is translated by sense. The isolated "Deum" seems to be the remnant of a phrase (the Greek version in Theodoret has "one God" at this point) and is left untranslated. The last sentence of the Latin also differs from the Greek version, which speaks of being baptized into the one divinity.
  • "The name of gods … to angels and to all the saints" recalls Ps 82:6 and John 10:34–35; baptism into the three names: Matt 28:19. The remark on Jews and Gentiles is translated as written.

Notes on the original text

  • Digital text corrected (OCR slip): Filiam → Filium; el Spiritu → et Spiritu; Christianornm → Christianorum.

Topics: Trinity, Baptism

Cite (SBL): Tom. Dam. 24 (PL 13:364a–364b; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/council-rome-382-tomus/0/#p-24). (abbreviation not yet checked)

BibTeX · RIS (whole work; this passage's key: sophiascriptura-council-rome-382-tomus-24) · Report an error

Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin (PL 13); compared afterwards for sense with the Greek version in Theodoret 5.11 (NPNF² 3).