ORB Masthead with site navigation toolbar; see bottom  of page
for text version of toolbar    Yuri Koszarycz       There are
indeed two powers by which chiefly this world is ruled, the
sacred authority of the pontiffs and the royal power. Of the
two, the priesthood has the greater weight to the degree that it
must render an account for kings themselves in matters divine.
Know then, although you preside with dignity in human affairs,
as to divine, you are to submit your neck to those from whom you
look for salvation. You are to be subject rather than to rule in
the religious sphere and bow to the judgement of the priests
rather than seek to lend them your will. (Gelasius, Edict XII,
translated in Bainton, 1962: 108).  It is this stance by
Gelasius, who was Pontiff in Rome between 492 - 496 AD, as he
instructs the Emperor Anastasius on the limits of his power,
which was prevalent earlier in the fourth and fifth century,
especially during the reign of Constantine. The extract is
attempting to illuminate the hier