prudent sir, if you want to know the truth, ask in the first place the Bishop of the Apostolic See, whose right judgement stands firm by the judgement of truth, and is strengthened by the weight of his authority."[1] Eutychius, Patriarch of Constantinople (552–582), writes to Pope Vigilius (540–555): "We receive and accept the letters of the Prelates of the Apostolic Roman See, both those of the others and especially those of Leo of holy memory, which were written concerning the true faith and concerning the four holy councils."[2] Sergius of Cyprus writes to Pope Theodore I (642–649): "Christ our God made your illustrious Apostolic See a firmament fixed by God and immovable, oh sacred Chief! For you are Peter, as the Divine word truly says, and on your foundation the pillars of the Church are fixed. He gave to you the keys of the kingdom of Heaven, and declared that you have power to bind and loosen what is in heaven or on earth. You are the destroyer of profane heresies, and the Prince and Doctor of the orthodox and immaculate faith. Wherefore, most holy Father, do not despise the fact that the faith of your Fathers is troubled and blown about by certain heretical winds and by them endangered; pierce through the cloud of these foolish persons with the light of your Divine knowledge."[3] St. Maximus the Confessor, Archimandrite of the monastery of Chrysopolis by Constantinople, suffered torture and death for the same cause and at the same time as Pope St. Martin (p. 56). He, too, was tried for high treason, was accused, of all amazing charges, of being responsible for the Saracen conquest of Egypt, and was told to give up his obstinate private opinion, and to accept the Emperor's Typos. To which he answered: "I have no private opinion, but only agree with the Catholic Church." After having been twice banished, and suffering every conceivable privation, he was scourged through the city, had his tongue cut out, and died of his torture on August 13, 662. He is honoured as a martyr by us and by the Greeks.[4] This saint, too, has the plainest things to say about the Roman See: "All the ends of the earth, and all who in any place really
