Solemn Dedication

Quote from Letter 6,22 to Peter, bishop of Aleria in Corsica. January 596

In the island of Corsica, at a placed called Negeugnus, there is a property called Cellas Cupias that belongs to the holy Roman Church, which we serve with God's authority.

There we have ordered a church with a baptistery to be founded, in the honor of Saint Peter, the prince of the apostles, and Saint Laurence the martyr, to benefit the souls living there. For that reason, with these words we exhort your Fraternity, that you should visit the aforesaid place without delay, providing the solemnities of a venerable dedication.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 418

The Election of a Bishop

Quote from Letter 6,21 to Peter, bishop of Otranto, visitor of Brindisi, Lecce and Gallipoli. November 595

(W)e recognize that the chruches of Brindise, Lecce and Gallipoli are entrirely destitute, with the deaths of their bishops, fro that reason we have thought that the task of their visitation should be atteteched to your Fraternity (...).
For that reason yoyr Fraternity will go quickly to the aforesaid churches, and will hasten to warn the clergy and people of the same churches, with repeated exhortations, to remove partisanship and with one and the same consensus to look for priests to be put in charge of them, such men as can be found worthy of such an important ministry and are in no way rejected by the venerable canons of the church.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 417

Saints Peter and Cyprian

Quote from Letter 6,19 to Dominic, bishop of Africa. October 595

(But) since it is written: 'pray for eachother, that you may be healed', so that we may deserve to come to this end, it is fitting that I shoul ddevote myself to praying before the most holy body of Saint Peter the apostle, and tat you should do so for me before the holy martyr Cypria. 
For indeed our prayers rise up all the more quickly in the ears of our Lord's piety, as the ardor of our love strengthens them, poured out in turn for our sakes.
Bur because your Holiness refuses to address me with words alone, you added presents to your letters. We have received them and thank you for them, but we are delighted more by the affection of your mind than by the value of the goods.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 416

The Use of the Pallium

Quote from Letter 6,18 to John, bishop of Syracuse. October 595

(J)ust as you rejoice tot have received from us the use of decoration of this sort [the use of the pallium], for the honor of your priestly office, so with the probity of your morality and deeds, you should strive to adorn the office for the glory of Christ.
Thus you will be equally outstanding in two qualities, if the goodness of your mind is in accord with the clothing of this body. All the privileges also, which were centainly granted to your church in former times, we confirm with our authority and decree that they remain inviolate.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 416

The Grace of Favour

Quote from Letter 6,17 to Theoctistus, a relative of the emperor. September 595

(But) since he [the priest John] appeared a confessor and a worshipper of the true faith, with God's mercy, we absolved him with our decision, especially when his accusers admitted that they did not know the heresy of the Marcianites about which they spoke.
For these reasons, we greet you with paternal affection, and request that you deign to protect him with the grave of your favor. And in case anyone after this wants to ruin him, to no purpose, or inflict some harm on him oer this matter in any way at all, let the defense of your Excellency so protect and defend him against this, with more urgency in return for your own rewards, that no unjust tribulation may consume him any more, and that the Founder and Redeemer of the human race, whom you worship with a sincere confession, may recompense what you do on his behalf among your very many good deeds.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 415

Pious Protection

Quote from Letter 6,16 to Maurice, Augustus. September 595

We have learnt that he [John, a priest from Chalcedon] has suffered a greater injustice, in that when he declared and proved that he was a Catholic, it was not a case of guilt, but only a long lasting and uncertain accusation that wore him down.
For his accusers admitted with an open reply that they did not know the heresy of the Marcionites, the charge they brought against him. And those who should have been dismissed right at the beginning of trial were allowed to remain to accuse him, although untrustworth (...).
And so, with everything very carefully examined and dealt with, my decision and that of the holy council declared the above-mentioned priest, John, a true Catholic, as revealed by the grace of the heavenly Power (...).
I pray, therefore, that the pious protection of your Serenity orders that he be kept unharmed by any trouble, and not allow one confessing the Catholic faith to endure any disturbance, For not trusting someone who confesses truthfully is not purging heresy, but creating it. 

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 414

Inconsiderate strictness

Quote from Letter 6,15 to John, bishop of Constantinople. September 595

Just as wichkedness of heretics should be crushed by the zeal of true faith, so the integrity of genuine confession should be embraced. For if trust is one who confesses faithfully is despised, the faith of all men is made doubtful, and deadly sins arise from inconsiderate strictness. And from this not oonly are errant sheep not recalled at al to their Lord's folds, but those palced inside them are exposed to be cruelly torn apart by the teeth of wild animals.
Let us consider this, dearest brother, with great care, and not allow anyone who truly confesses the Catholic faith to be afflicted under the pretxt of correcting it.
But we were greatly astonished why those who had been appointed by you as judges in the case of faith, against John, a priest of the church of Chalcedon, neglected the truth and believed what men thought, and were unwilling to trust him as he professed his strict faith, especially when his accusers, being asked what the heresy of the Marcionites was (for which they were trying to make hum guilty), replied with an open admission that they did not know.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 413

Little Exegesis on Genesis

Quote from Letter 6,14 to Count Narses. September 595

(Therefore,) when Adam ate of the forbidden tree, we know that he did not die in the body, because after this he fathered children and lived on for many years. If then he did not die in the soul, although it is wicked to say so, He whom foretold that Adam would die on the day that he sinned, was lying. 
But one should know that death takes place in two ways, either through the loss of life, or in quality of life.
And so, in this way Adam's soul is said to have died by eating what was forbidden, not through loss of life, but in quality of life, so that he who was created to live happily in joy, should after this live in pain. 

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 412

Support and Comfort

Quote from Letter 6,13 to Cyprian, deacon and rector of Sicily. September 595

Finding Decius, a public priest, they [the clergy of the church at Lilybaeum] entreated him with their prayers to be consecrated [bishop] for them, and we have thought it necessary to implement their request. 
And for that reason, your Beloved should not fail to give him comfort in all ways, so that, because Theodore, the one-time bishop of the same church, abandoned it, Decius, aided by your total support, yet without acting illegally, might enjoy greater freedom from disturbing cases, in his praises of God.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 411