Controversial Sayings

The constancy of the faithful being put to the test, and 'makes us shake off our sluggishness, and search the Scriptures more carefully,' as Augustine states (De Gen. cont. Manich. i, 1). What they [heretics] really intend is the corruption of the fa…

Let those who have been accustomed unjustly to wage private warfare against the faithful now go against the infidels and end with victory this war which should have been begun long ago. Let those who for a long time, have been robbers, now become kni…

You should shudder, brethren, you should shudder at raising a violent hand against Christians; it is less wicked to brandish your sword against Saracens [Muslims]. It is the only warfare that is righteous, for it is charity to risk your life for your…

Oh, race of Franks, race from across the mountains, race chosen and beloved by God as shines forth in very many of your works... We wish you to know what a grievous cause has led us to your country, what peril threatening you and all the faithful has…

From the confines of Jerusalem and the city of Constantinople a horrible tale has gone forth and very frequently has been brought to our ears, namely, that a race from the kingdom of the Persians, an accursed race, a race utterly alienated from God, …

They destroy the altars, after having defiled them with their uncleanness. They circumcise the Christians, and the blood of the circumcision they either spread upon the altars or pour into the vases of the baptismal font.

When they wish to torture people by a base death, they perforate their navels, and dragging forth the extremity of the intestines, bind it to a stake; then with flogging they lead the victim around until the viscera having gushed forth the victim fal…

What shall I say of the abominable rape of the women? To speak of it is worse than to be silent.

Let the holy sepulcher of the Lord our Savior, which is possessed by unclean nations, especially incite you, and the holy places which are now treated with ignominy and irreverently polluted with their filthiness.

But if you are hindered by love of children, parents and wives, remember what the Lord says in the Gospel, 'He that loveth father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me.'

Let none of your possessions detain you, no solicitude for your family affairs, since this land which you inhabit, shut in on all sides by the seas and surrounded by the mountain peaks, is too narrow for your large population; nor does it abound in w…

Enter upon the road to the Holy Sepulcher; wrest that land from the wicked race, and subject it to yourselves.

This royal city, therefore, situated at the center of the world, is now held captive by His enemies… From you especially she asks succor, because, as we have already said, God has conferred upon you above all nations great glory in arms.

Set out on this journey and you will obtain the remission of your sins and be sure of the incorruptible glory of the kingdom of heaven.

Let those who have formerly contended against their brothers and relatives now fight as they ought against the barbarians.

Let those who have formerly been mercenaries at low wages, now gain eternal rewards. Let those who have been striving to the detriment both of body and soul, now labor for a two-fold reward.

And we do not command or advise that the old or feeble, or those unfit for bearing arms, undertake this journey; nor ought women to set out at all, without their husbands or brothers or legal guardians. For such are more of a hindrance than aid, more…

The churches in which divine mysteries were celebrated in olden times are now, to our sorrow, used as stables for the animals of these people! Holy men do not possess those cities; nay, base and bastard Turks hold sway over our brothers.

Christian blood, redeemed by the blood of Christ, has been shed, and Christian flesh, akin to the flesh of Christ, has been subjected to unspeakable degradation and servitude.

Whatever Christians still remain in hiding there are sought out with unheard of tortures.