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The Affair of Maximus of Salonae.
NAtalis Bishop of Salonae dying, who had led a very licentious Life, St. Gregory would have Honoratus chosen in his room, and excluded Maximus, B. 3. Ep. 15. Nevertheless this last was chosen; and tho the Emperor at first scrupled to consent to his Election, yet afterwards he approv'd it. Maximus having received Orders from Court, got himself Ordain'd, and put in Possession of the See of Salonae. St. Gregory understanding this, wrote to Maximus, forbidding him, and all those who had Consecrated him, to perform any part of the Sacerdotal Function, until he was inform'd of the Truth in this case, Whether the Letters of the Emperor upon which he was Ordain'd were true or forg'd. At the same time he cited him to Rome, to give an Ac∣count of his Ordination there. Maximus did not much value this Letter, but caus'd it to be torn in pieces; and asserted that there was nothing to be blam'd in his Ordination, and that he ought to be judged upon the place: The Emperor also acquainted St. Gregory, That he would not have the Ordination of Maximus medled with. But this Order did not shake the Constancy of St. Gregory, who, as himself said upon this occasion, was resolv'd rather to die then suffer the Church of St. Peter to lose its Authority and Rights by his Negligence. Yet he declar'd that he would willingly Sacrifice his own Interest, and admit the Ordination of Maximus, altho it was done against his will: But then he inform'd the Empress, that as to what concern'd the Simony, Sa∣criledge, and the other Crimes whereof Maximus was accused, he could not dispense with using all the Severity of the Laws against him, if he did not come to Rome in a short time to justifie himself. At last, seeing that Maximus continued to Discharge the Sacerdotal Function, and re∣fus'd to come to Rome, he Excommunicated him and all the Bishops who had Ordain'd him, or were engag'd on his side, and even those who should Communicate with them for the future. The Emperor being desirous to put an end to this Contest, order'd Calli••icus the Exarch to ac∣commodate the difference between Maximus and St. Gregory. By his Mediation it was agreed, that Maximus should transport himself to Ravenna, and there perform what the Archbishop Marinianus should enjoyn him. He did so, and having publickly asked Pardon for his Fault, and purg'd him∣self by Oath before the Sepulchre of St. Apollinaris, he receiv'd Absolution from Marinianus by the order of St. Gregory, and in the presence of Castorius his Envoy, who presented to Maximus a Letter from the Pope, wherein he receiv'd him into his Communion, and engag'd to send him quickly the Pallium. See the following Letters, B. 2. Ind. 11. Ep. 20. B. 3. Ep. 15, 20, 25, 33. B. 4. Ep. 4. 20, 34. B. 5. Ep. 3, 4, 8. B. 6 Ep. 17. B. 7. Ind. 1. Ep. 1, 12. Ind. 2. 60, 81, 82. This Contest continued from the Year 592, to the Year 600.