Letter 2,50 - to Peter, sub-deacon of Sicily, about various cases. July-August 592.
"But when you come, bring with you the money and jewels from the inheritance of Antoninus. Also bring with them any rents obtained by you from the ninth and tenth indictions, and all the accounts. Make an effort to cross the sea, if it pleases God, before the nativity of Saint Cyprian, in case some danger might eventuate (Heaven forbid!) from the sigh that is always a threat at that time.
Besides this, you should know that I severely rebukes Pretiosus, a monk, over a slight fault, and I sent him from my presence, a sad and embittered man. As a result, I am deeply distressed in my thoughts. And I wrote to the lord bishop, that he should send him back to me, if he were willing. But he was not at all willing. I neither should nor can upset the bishop, for occupied as he is in the service of God, he should be supported with words of comfort, and not criticized with bitterness. In fact the same Pretiosus, from what I hear, is extremely sad, because he is not returning to me. But as I have said, I cannot upset the lord bishop, who does not want to send him away, and I remain undecided between the two of them. You therefore, if you have a greater amount of wisdom in your poor old body than I have in mine, arrange this same case in such a way that my wish is realized, and the lord bishop is not upset."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 229.
Tuesday 22 February 2011
Monday 14 February 2011
Concerning A Diploma
Letter 2,49 - to Deacon Honoratus about honoring Venantius. September 591-August 592.
"My son Lord Venantius, one-time grandson of the patrician Opilio, has come to Saint Peter the apostle, to make this very strong petition to me, that I should have recommended his case to your Beloved. For he has no honors and seeks the diploma of ex consul, for which he has sent over thirty pounds of gold. so that it might be obtained for him.
In this matter I want your Beloved to take very special care, because he is such a man that an honor is owed to him even without a payment.
And because as I have said he was prepared to purchase the same diploma, it is not all that necessary that should say anything to our most serene emperor. But let your Beloved act more on your own, so that he deserves to receive honors, after offering the usual payments to the treasury."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 228.
"My son Lord Venantius, one-time grandson of the patrician Opilio, has come to Saint Peter the apostle, to make this very strong petition to me, that I should have recommended his case to your Beloved. For he has no honors and seeks the diploma of ex consul, for which he has sent over thirty pounds of gold. so that it might be obtained for him.
In this matter I want your Beloved to take very special care, because he is such a man that an honor is owed to him even without a payment.
And because as I have said he was prepared to purchase the same diploma, it is not all that necessary that should say anything to our most serene emperor. But let your Beloved act more on your own, so that he deserves to receive honors, after offering the usual payments to the treasury."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 228.
Sunday 13 February 2011
Heavenly And Human Scourge
Letter 2,48 - to Bishop Maximian, about the restoration of his abbot. July-august 592
"For whatever his aberration may have been, the very affliction of his ill health should have been a sufficient punishment for him. For when heavenly discipline scourges a man, the addition of a human scourge had been superfluous. But perhaps you allowed yourself to go too far against such a person, so as to become more cautious with less worthy men, and to weigh things for a long time when deciding to strike someone down through a sentence.
But the greater fury with which you provoked the aforementioned men, the greater sweetness with which you should now console him."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 228.
"For whatever his aberration may have been, the very affliction of his ill health should have been a sufficient punishment for him. For when heavenly discipline scourges a man, the addition of a human scourge had been superfluous. But perhaps you allowed yourself to go too far against such a person, so as to become more cautious with less worthy men, and to weigh things for a long time when deciding to strike someone down through a sentence.
But the greater fury with which you provoked the aforementioned men, the greater sweetness with which you should now console him."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 228.
Sunday 6 February 2011
Obedience And Safety
Letter 2,47 - to all the troops in Naples. September 591-August 592
"We have learnt just now that your Devotion actus thus, complying with our letter in which we appointed that magnificent man, the tribune Constantius, to be in charge of the city's garrison, thus demonstrating the obedience which befits military devotion.
For that reason we have taken care to advise you with the present letter that you ought to show total obedience to the aforesaid magnificent man and tribune, as you have done so far, for the interest of our most serene Lordship and for keeping the city safe."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 227.
"We have learnt just now that your Devotion actus thus, complying with our letter in which we appointed that magnificent man, the tribune Constantius, to be in charge of the city's garrison, thus demonstrating the obedience which befits military devotion.
For that reason we have taken care to advise you with the present letter that you ought to show total obedience to the aforesaid magnificent man and tribune, as you have done so far, for the interest of our most serene Lordship and for keeping the city safe."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 227.
Friday 4 February 2011
The Garden Of Felicianus
Letter 2,46 - to Sub-deacon Sabinus, on a garden to be given to a convent. September 591-August 592
"And for that reason we order your Experience with this authority to hand over quickly and without uncertainty the garden of the dead priest Felicianus. It lies in the first region before the steps of Saint Sabina.
Leaving aside any excuse, give it to the convent of Euprepia, in which a community of nuns are known to live, for them to possess with a proprietary right, so that aided by the benefit of our generosity, they may persevere in serving God, with his support also, with secure minds."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 227.
"And for that reason we order your Experience with this authority to hand over quickly and without uncertainty the garden of the dead priest Felicianus. It lies in the first region before the steps of Saint Sabina.
Leaving aside any excuse, give it to the convent of Euprepia, in which a community of nuns are known to live, for them to possess with a proprietary right, so that aided by the benefit of our generosity, they may persevere in serving God, with his support also, with secure minds."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 227.
Thursday 3 February 2011
Sounds Of Singing
Letter 2,45 - to Bacauda and Angellus, bishops, with regard to the Jews. September 591 - August 592
"But because it had come to our attention that the place [the synagogue of the Jews] itself there was so close to the church, that even the sounds of those singing psalms reached it, we have written to our brother and fellow bishop, Peter, that if it were so, or a voice from the same place were audible in the entrance to the church, the place should be freed from the Jews' celebrations.
And for that reason let your Fraternity, together with the above-mentioned Peter, our brother and fellow-bishop, inspect the place itself diligently, and if it is so, or you should think that something is detrimental to the church, provide another place within the castle area itself, where the aforesaid Jews can meet together and are able to celebrate their own ceremonies without impediment.
Your Fraternity should provide such a place, if they are later deprived of this one, that no complaint arises from it in future.
However we forbid the above-mentioned Jews from being oppressed or persecuted contrary to the dictates of reason."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 226.
"But because it had come to our attention that the place [the synagogue of the Jews] itself there was so close to the church, that even the sounds of those singing psalms reached it, we have written to our brother and fellow bishop, Peter, that if it were so, or a voice from the same place were audible in the entrance to the church, the place should be freed from the Jews' celebrations.
And for that reason let your Fraternity, together with the above-mentioned Peter, our brother and fellow-bishop, inspect the place itself diligently, and if it is so, or you should think that something is detrimental to the church, provide another place within the castle area itself, where the aforesaid Jews can meet together and are able to celebrate their own ceremonies without impediment.
Your Fraternity should provide such a place, if they are later deprived of this one, that no complaint arises from it in future.
However we forbid the above-mentioned Jews from being oppressed or persecuted contrary to the dictates of reason."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 226.
Tuesday 1 February 2011
Deep Felt Concerns
Letter 2,44 - to Natalis, bishop of Salona. July 592
"However, I was really delighted by your letter, as you say that you are making a study of exhortation. For I know that you are wisely showing the concern of your order in this, it you take care to attract others also to the Creator.
But as in the same place you say you are not the same as I am, after my initial joy, you at once make me sad. For I think that my praises are being sunk for the sake of mockery, and I recognize very little truth in them.
Yet I offer thanks to almighty God that through you even heretics are brought back to the Holy Church. But it is necessary for you to be concerned that those too, who are contained within the bosom of the Holy Church, live in such a way that they do not indulge in the depraved morality of their adversaries. For if they are slaves to the passions and pleasures of the world, and not to divine desire, then alien sons are nurtured within the Church's bosom.
But as for the fact that you admit being able to ignore the ecclesiastical orders, I also know all that concerns you in this matter, and for that reason I am extremely unhappy. For, as you know the order of things, you have offended me with full knowledge, which makes it worse.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 223.
"However, I was really delighted by your letter, as you say that you are making a study of exhortation. For I know that you are wisely showing the concern of your order in this, it you take care to attract others also to the Creator.
But as in the same place you say you are not the same as I am, after my initial joy, you at once make me sad. For I think that my praises are being sunk for the sake of mockery, and I recognize very little truth in them.
Yet I offer thanks to almighty God that through you even heretics are brought back to the Holy Church. But it is necessary for you to be concerned that those too, who are contained within the bosom of the Holy Church, live in such a way that they do not indulge in the depraved morality of their adversaries. For if they are slaves to the passions and pleasures of the world, and not to divine desire, then alien sons are nurtured within the Church's bosom.
But as for the fact that you admit being able to ignore the ecclesiastical orders, I also know all that concerns you in this matter, and for that reason I am extremely unhappy. For, as you know the order of things, you have offended me with full knowledge, which makes it worse.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 223.
Schism And Concord
Letter 2,43 - to all of the eastern bishops concerning the Three-Chapters. July 592
"For you ought to know, just as Saint Cyprian says, that 'a punishment does not create a martyr, but a cause does'. Provided therefore that this is so, it is quite incongruous for you to glory in that persecution which you describe, through which it is certain that you are in no way being brought to eternal rewards.
And so may the integrity of your faith finally bring back your Charities to the mother Church into which you were born. May no mental strain separate you from the unity of concord, no persuasion tire and prevent you from rejoining the path of righteousness.
For in the synod, which dealt with the Three-Chapters, it is quite obvious that nothing to do with faith was cancelled or changed at all. Rather, as you know, action was only taken over certain persons there, one of whom, whose writings evidently deviated from the correctness of Catholic faith, was not unjustly condemned."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 222.
"For you ought to know, just as Saint Cyprian says, that 'a punishment does not create a martyr, but a cause does'. Provided therefore that this is so, it is quite incongruous for you to glory in that persecution which you describe, through which it is certain that you are in no way being brought to eternal rewards.
And so may the integrity of your faith finally bring back your Charities to the mother Church into which you were born. May no mental strain separate you from the unity of concord, no persuasion tire and prevent you from rejoining the path of righteousness.
For in the synod, which dealt with the Three-Chapters, it is quite obvious that nothing to do with faith was cancelled or changed at all. Rather, as you know, action was only taken over certain persons there, one of whom, whose writings evidently deviated from the correctness of Catholic faith, was not unjustly condemned."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 222.
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