2381

Apr. 9 and 13. Lateran. Pope Gregory IX has been informed that when he issued his mandate [on 9 March 1238] ordering all Greek priests [sacerdotes Greci] to swear obedience to the Roman Church and abjure heresy, the archbishop of Nicosia met the Greek archbishop and bishops and had the decree read to them and explained. After making various excuses for delay and obtaining a copy of the mandate, the Greek prelates, together with abbots, monks and greater Greek priests, fled from Cyprus to [Cilician] Armenia before the time for consideration had elapsed, denuding the monasteries and churches of goods and threatening the Greek abbots, monks and priests who remained with excommunication if they submitted. The pope, therefore, orders the archbishop of Nicosia to expel the remaining Greeks if they will not obey and appoint Latin clergy in their place, to excommunicate the recalcitrant Greeks and their defenders, and to call on the aid of the secular arm, if necessary. He orders the king and barones of Cyprus, and the preceptor and brothers in Cyprus of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem to assist the archbishop of Nicosia.