1st Council of Arles, 578 AD

Letter From Mauricus to the Rulers of Europe, 575 AD

Greetings!

Recent discussions with the Frankish king have led to the communal decision that the rift in the western church has grown to large to ignore. Before the unpleasantness between the Ostrogoths and the Franks and Danes broke out, it had been determined that a Church Council would be convened in Paris in AD 578. Since Paris may or may not be a particularly safe location in the next decade, we suggest that the site of the conference be moved to Arles in Provence. It is accesible by sea and has a central location. It is also out of the way of the disagreement in the north. Indeed, Rome pledges to keep it that way!

The intent of the Council of Arles is to have the church fathers, not the kings or emperors, discuss their differences and come to a mutually agreeable solution to the differences in rite and practice between Arian (Christ and God are separate entities) and Catholic (Christ = God). It is the belief of the Roman Emperor that if these differences are settled amongst kings on the field of battle, that all of Western Europe will suffer greatly. Thus, we urge all Christian nations to send their own church representatives to Arles, but to refrain from attempting to influence the course of discussions. What the Council decides, Rome will accept as dogma and we urge you to do so as well.

We also offer the hand of peace to our brothers in the east, both Orthodox and Zoroastrian and Pagan. If we of the West can resolve our religious differences in such a peaceful manner, cannot the barriers between east and west be reduced as well?

Mauricius Octavian Agricola, Emperor of Western Rome, Blessed of Christ

Letter From Constantine VIII, 585 AD Mauricus, Emperor of Rome Greetings to our brothers of the West and to all members of the Council. The Orthodox bishops respect all decisions made between the Catholic and Arianist sects of our faith in order to bridge the schism of the church. A unified church both East and West is Europe's strength and I understand the Polish misgivings. I have sent emmisaries to our northern neighbors of Kymia, Latvia and Veposkava offering them the blessed word of Christ. Constantinople awaits their reply. Secondly, it must be brought to light here in the organized confines of the Council; a confrontation with the Zoroastrian bishops. Constantinople received urgent news from Ahriman II that Spihr-Narse, Mobad of Zoroaster has outright demanded the conversion of Azerbaijan, the Eastern Themes of Rome, to the false truths of fire-worship. Failure to comply has been threatened with Sassanid aggression against the Eastern Themes. Now more than ever we must unite behind one shared faith. Constantine VIII, Emperor of Eastern Rome, Founder of Constantinople