Church.'[1] In the Caroline books whether they be by Charlemagne or Alcuin we read of the Roman Church that, as Peter was set over all the Apostles, so Rome is set over all the Churches. 'For this Church is set over all the rest by no decrees of Synods, but holds its primacy by the authority of the Lord Himself, who said, "Thou art Peter," &c. … Whence it is to be understood that holy and learned men in all parts of the world, shining with the light of teaching and science, not only have not departed from the Holy Roman Church, but also, in time of need, have implored help from it, for the corroboration of the faith; which, as we have already said and proved by examples, all members of the Catholic Church ought, as a rule, to do; so as to seek from it [the Roman Church], next after Christ, help to defend the faith: which [Church], not having spot or wrinkle, both sets its foot upon the monstrous heads of heresy, and confirms the minds of the faithful in the faith.'[2]
This testimony, by the way, is important for those who believe that Charlemagne imposed on the Roman Pontiff the insertion of the 'Filioque' in the Creed.
We have now reached the eighth century of the Church, before the separation of the Greeks, and while as yet they acknowledged the supreme authority, both in jurisdiction and of faith, of the See of Peter. The Greeks acknowledge the second Council of Nicæa as infallible, and in that Synod the letters
