SS Peter and Paul

Quote from Letter 9.126 to the ex-prefect Gregory. February-April 599

Knowing what great affection remains in the mind of your Glory towards the churches of Saint Peter and Saint Paul (...) we do not doubt that your Glory wants to assist without even being asked (...) We have ordered our sub0deacon, Sabinus, to hurry meanwhile to cut up as many as twenty beams, and hail them to the sea.
And saluting you with paternal affection, we ask that your Glory, from the possessions that you have there for rental farming, make some men offer support with their oxen in this matter.
Therefore, we trust in you so much, as we have said, that we offer thanks to you, glorious son. May you have the blessing of the princes of the apostles as your helpers in all things, in return for the love and devotion that you show to their churches.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 617.

Law and Justice

Quote from Letter 9.120 to Fantinus, defender. February-April 599

Let your experience was our most reverend brother and fellow-bishop, Victor, preserving your honor, that he is either keen to terminate the case itself peacefully, without delay, or certainly, if he believes that it is more expedient for him that it be decided in court, he should legally appoint a person on his behalf, avoiding any delay (...). And whatever will have been decided by them [the judges], with the holy gospels as their witness, we want to be made effective through your authority, preserving the law, in such a way that nothing remains between the two parties whereby they could wear each other out afterwards with recurring litigation.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 614

Reuniting Husband and Wife

Quote from Letter 9.118 to Marinianus, bishop of Ravenna. February-April 599

John, our most glorious son and prefect of this city, sent you the bearer of this letter (...) for the express purpose of escorting his glorious wife here, with God's protection. We are also now longing her to arrive here, so that we can have our most glorious aforesaid son not torn apart, but whole again. Let your Fraternity, therefore, take care that nothing stops her from coming (...).

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 614