Rent Due and Relief

Quote from Letter 9.191 to Anthem, deacon. July 599

Adeodatus (...) claims that he has fallen into such great poverty that he cannot pay [the rent for land and a building of] two gold coins each year as he has promised, and has sought relief over this one matter.
Therefore, let your Experience take care to investigate this. And if he is obviously as poor as he claims, we want him to be excused from half of the payment due to us, so that each year he does not pay more than one gold coin. For his old age and poverty suggest that the burden on him should be relieved, as he asks.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, p.660.

Unity and Property

Quote from Letter 1.187 to Constantius, bishop of Milan. July 599

(T)he clergy of the church of Como, whom you warned with priestly concern to revert to the unified Church, have replied that you have not shown them the kind of affection that might convince them to return to it, persuaded by love.
They assert that other parties are retaining various properties of theirs, including a possession called the Aurian villa, which is being kept by our Church. And indeed, we have praised the concern of your Holiness in every way, because you have not neglected at all what you had to do. But we do not allow the aforesaid possession, even if it is legally theirs, to be retained contrary to the dictates of reason, even if perhaps they have putt off returning to communion.
But if they convert to the unity of the church, inspired by God, which we pray for, we are prepared to concede it to them, even if it does nog belong to them.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II,p. 658.

A New Bishop

Quote from Letter 9.186 to the clergy, nobles and people of Tolina. July 599

Learning that your church has long been bereft of the rule of its own bishop, we took care to delegate the task of visitor fro the same church with due solemnity to Gaudiosus, our brother and the bishop of the church of Gubbio (...). Take care before all else that you do not presume to choose a layman, whatever his way of live and merit. And that person should not only in no way be promoted to the high rank of bishop, but also know that you could not deserve to be pardoned for this, however much you protested. But if any of you have without doubt supported a layman, know that you must certainly be excluded from the holy office and from communion.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, p. 658.

Shrines in Milan

Quote from Letter 9.184 to Constantius bishop of Milan. July 599


The bearer of this letter, Events, deacon of your Fraternity, intimated to us among other things that you ordered him that we ought to direct to you through him the relics of Saint Paul the apostle, and also of Saints John and Pancras.
And we have taken care to bring this petition of yours into effect.Therefore, let your Fraternity not put off examining this with your usual keenness, so that in the places where that lamps and food of those servants of God in Milan had to be stored before the dedication of that place, they should be removed, and then in the same places, its shrines should be established directly with reverence, in case these places, dedicated to God, might become destitute in future times (heaven forbid!), if the aforesaid provision should now be omitted and be used for the burial of those servants of God.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, p.657.

Promis And Protection

Quote from Letter 9.183 to John bishop of Syracuse. July 599


(L)et your Fraternity support him in a reasonable way, and be keen to act before our aforesaid most glorious son [the Lord Leontinus] with your usual affection, so that you so not let him suffer in any way at all, contrary to law of reason, Rather, see that his rights are protected in all things, as befits his Christianity, so that, as your reward, you may seem to have successfully preserved what the rule of law demands, and he may not feel that he is suffering anything contrary to our promise.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, p. 656.

A New Oratory

Quote from Letter 9.181 to Benedatus, bishop of Tyndari. July 599


Januaria, a nun, has reported to us, while notifying us of the claim included below, that she has founded an oratory in the Furian estate, to show her devotion, and it remains under her charge. She wants it to be consecrated in honor of the Saints Severinus the confessor and Juliana the martyr.
And for that reason, dearest brother, if the building mentioned is under the jurisdiction of your parish, and it is certain that no human body had been buried there, you will solemnly consecrate the aforesaid oratory with public masses.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, p. 656.

Again: Punishment and Reason

Quote from Letter 9.179 to Castor, our notary in Ravenna. July 599


The more you see that we trust you and charge you with necessary cases, the more you ought to show yourself strenuous and concerned. Therefore, if Maximus of Salona takes an oath to confirm that he is innocent of simoniacal heresy, and when just asked about other matters before the body of Saint Apollinaris, replies hat he is innocent , and shows penitence over his disobedience, as we have directed, then we want your Experience to give him that letter which we wrote to him to console him, in which we signified that we returned our grace and communion to him.
For just as it suits us to be severe to those resisting in insolence, even so we should not deny an opportunity to pardon to those who are humble again and penitent.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, p. 654.

Punishment and Reason

Quote from Letter 9.178 to Marinianus, bishop of Ravenna.. July 599

Therefore, if the same Maximus purges himself of his simoniacal heresy in the presence of you and of our aforesaid notary, discharging such an oath, and replies before the body of Saint Apollinaris that he is free of the other charges, when asked to do so, as we have written, we entrust his case to the judgement of your Fraternity, concerning his presumption in celebrating solemn Mass while he was excommunicated. Such a sin ought to be purged with that penitence. 
For that reason, whatever pleases you, following God, settle it securely and do not entertain any doubts about our approval.
For whatever is decided by you in this case, we receive it gratefully and we accept it readily But we exhort you that you should be concerned to temper what you consider should be done so that you treat him with kindness and preserve the spirit of ecclesiastic vigor by arranging things suitably.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, p. 654.

A New Bishop

Quote from Letter to Chrystantus, bishop of Spoleto. June 599



And so we urge your Fraternity that, if indeed they [the clerics of the church of Bevagna] can find such a person as might be worthy of the hight office of bishop, you should direct him here with all speed, with the solemnity of a decree and testimony of your letter. 
But is one cannot be found now, look out for persons with all seal and vigor who could be consecrated there with the rank of bishop. Carefully examine their way of live and their actions first of all, in such a way that neither the sacred canons nor the rules of the Church could in any way be an obstacle to them, and so that the people living there, since they complain tearfully that they have been deprived through their lack of priests, may with this provision rejoice at receiving communion, and in those churches they may no longer lack the hole solemnities of Mass.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 648.

With Due Veneration

Quote from Letter 9.166 to fortunate, bishop of Naples. June 599



We think that your Fraternity is well aware that Romans, a gentleman of most distinguished memory, through the decision of his final will, decreed that a monastery should be built in a house under his control, situated in your city.
And because the dead man's will is known to have been implemented, with God's mercy, let your Holiness go there willingly, and if it is certain that no human body has ever been buried there, you should solemnly take care to consecrate the place itself in honor of Saints Hermes, Sebastian, Cyriacus and Pancras, doing so with public masses and due veneration, so that no baptistery is ever built in the same place and you do not incarnate a priest there.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 648.

The Will and Testament of Rustica, an Illustrious Lady

Quote from Letter 9.165 to Romans, defender. June 599



And first, indeed, it in the conditions of the will [of Rustica, made about 21 years earlier] an heir is named and our Church might have a plea thereby, we want you to investigate it and to get a clear picture of the facts, and to see to the benefit due to the poor, as the order demands. I want you then to see to the setting up of that monastery [provided for in the will], to the restoration of the estate left by her, so that the pious will of the testatrix my be fulfilled either way, and those who have kept this property unjustly may learn the guilt of their unlawful retention, losing their property as justice demands. 
And so we want you to look into this case mos energetically and to bring it to a conclusion with the Lord's help, so that the pious devotion of the testatrix may finally achieve its aim.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 647.

Military Duties and Spiritual Support

Quote from Letter 9.163 to Maurentius, a general. May-June 599

For he [Theodosius,  abbot of a community of monks in Campania] asserts that they are being afflicted very greatly by the watches they keep on the walls, and they can no longer cope. And so we ask your Glory to relieve the abbot of his burden , if indeed it is possible. However, if it is really difficult fro him to be relieved totally, then with my recommendation, you should so temper the weight of his burden, by reducing it for him a little, that he can apply himself more freely to the praise of God, and can pray to the Lord more confidently on your behalf, through whose work he has had some relief.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 646.

Encouragement

Quote from Letter 9.162 to Mastalonis. May-June 599

Therefore, offering thanks to the heavenly mercy with ineffable praise, we exhort and comfort your Beloved with all our strength, so that, just as the punishment of the man who received one talent and then buried it is disturbing, even so, the Lord's invitation to those who made great profit and rejoiced at receiving thereby the heavenly kingdom, should strengthen you to seek those things that are desirable.
For it is right for you to know, most beloved son, that there is no end to the reward for the fruit of pursuit than you have undertaken. For that reason, no annoyance caused by those show shackle you should disturb you, if it ever arises, since the more difficult it is to complete a good deed, with the cooperation of the Lord, the more glorious will your hope of recompense be. 
For a victory born from desperation is more exalted when it has been achieved with the sweat of very hard labor.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 645.

Human Effort and Divine Reward

Quote from Letter 9.161 to Gulfari, a general. May-June 599

For we have learnt that among the cares of the rule of those parts entrusted to you, you have a special concern over winning souls, and that you ar in such a hurry to recall the hearts of those in error to the united Church that, if it were in your powers, you would not want anyone there to remain segregated from the apostolic Church.
Such great love for Saint Peter, prince of the apostles, has inflamed you, that you long with great desire to restore men to the sheepfold of Him to when they were handed over by the Creator of all things.
Glorious son, firmly believe that such great work will receive divine reward. Not only our exhortation but also the words of the apostles give you confirmation of this.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 645.

Tears and Redemption

Quote from Letter 9.159 to Marcellinus, proconsul of Dalmatia. May-June 599

But we have heard that your Greatness has been accused of committing wicked sins that n man of faith should ever have perpetrated. For all affirm that you are the source of the plundering of that church and the ruination of such great souls and the audacity of unheard-of presumption. 
And indeed, as you say that you want to receive our favor, it is fitting that for such things as this you ought to satisfy our Redeemer with all the effort of your mind, as is proper, and with tears. For if He is not satisfied, what certainty will our mitigation and favor be able to confer?

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II,644 .

The Grace of Conversion

Quote from Letter 9.158 to Desiderius, bishop. May-June 599

We know that Pancras, the bearer of this letter and a deacon, as he asserts, by presenting himself at the thresholds of the apostles, hoped that we should commend him particularly to your Fraternity. He also intimated to us that he had served your church in a priestly office.
Therefore, moved by the inspiration of divine remorse, he seeks the grace of conversion to the monastic life, and there he desires to remain in the same habit with which he undertook this office, having reminded us that he had already been made deacon of that monetary.
He cannot bear to be torn from serving in that position for any reason.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 643.

Firmly Against the Title of Ecumenical Patriarch

Quote from Letter 9.157 to Eusebius of Thessaloniki, Urbicus of Dyrrachium, Andrew of Nicopolis, John of corinth, John of Prima Justiniana, John of Crete, John of Larissa and John of Scutari. May 599

Furthermore, it has come to our attention that your Fraternity has been summoned to the city of Constantinople. Our most pious emperor does not allow unlawful acts to be done there, and yet, in case wicked men should take the opportunity of your meeting, and either look for a change of deception in support for the false belief of this titel [of ecumenical (universal) patriarch], or should think of holding a synod for some other matter, meaning to introduce it in that synod with cunning contrivances, yet nothing done without the authority and agreement of the apostolic see would have any force.
But I swear before almighty God and warn you that none of your should agree to any sort of persuasive flattery, any sort of bribery, andy sort of threat. But rather, out of consideration for the eternal Judge, present yourself soundly and unanimously against wicked desires, and relying on pastoral constancy and apostolic authority, keep out the robber and the wolf that rushes in, and do not yield to the one who rages, bent on dividing the Church. Do not allow a synod to be convened over this matter, through any deceitfulness; indeed, such a meeting should not be called a synod.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 641.

Schism, Unity, and Pastoral Care

Quote from Letter 1.156 to Marinianus, bishop of ravenna. May 599

And now all those who live in the aforesaid island [of Cáorle] have been deprived of the protection of a priest. For while they desire to be united with the Holy Church, they cannot receive that bishop now, as he has reverted to the error of the schismatics, and they ask that another priest be consecrated for them. But since it is necessary for us to examine all of this strictly and very carefully, we have decided that the following should be arranged.
Your fraternity is to send a message to that bishop and warn him to return to the unity of the Catholic Church and to his own people. And if he refuses to return after this warning, God's flock ought not to be beguiled by the shepherd's error. And for that reason, your Holiness should consecrate a bishop there and he should include that land in his own diocese, until the Istrian bishops revert to the Catholic Faith, so that we may preserve their diocesan laws of each individual church, and so that there should be no lack of a bishop's protection and care for a congregation without a pastor.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 640.

Prayer

Quote from Letter 9.155 to Callinicus, exarch of Italy. May 599

Besides this, you suggest that you want to celebrate the birthday of Saint Peter, prince of the apostles, in the city of Rome. We pray our almighty Lord to protect you with his mercy and allow you to fulfill your prayers. But I ask that the aforesaid most eloquent gentleman may come with you. If he does not come, let him withdraw from his allegiance to you. Or certainly, if your Excellency cannot come perhaps because f intervening cases, either let him share with the unity of the Holy Church, or I ask that he does not participate in your councils. For I hear he is a good man, but has fallen into grievous error.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 639.

With Sincere and Devoted Mind

Quote from Letter 9.155 to Calllinicus, exarch of Italy. May 599



Be aware that I have been comforted with great joy by your reports of victories over the Slavs, and that the bears of this letter, hurrying to Saint Peter, prince of the apostles, to be joined to the unity of the Holy Church, have been sent over by your Excellency from the isle of Cáorle. For in this you prevail more fully against your enemies, if you bring back under the yoke of the true Lord those whom you acknowledge as God's enemies, and conduct your causes among men just as bravely as you have dealt with the cases of God among men with a sincere and devoted mind.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 639.

Unity versus Schism

Quote from Letter 9.154 to Basil. May 599


Our hearts rejoices deeply with your Greatness, as we have found you so keen in your action that they acquire glory for you among men and profitable rewards before almighty God. And s, among your other praiseworthy deeds, we have learnt how a burning love for Church unity inflamed you long ago against the schism of the Istrians.
We heard this some time ago from the reports of many men, and hear it now in full from the evidence of our agents. 
Therefore we pray for the mercy of our Redeemer, asking him to support you in all things with his own grace, and grant that you may through your actions bring the fulfillment what he has permitted you to desire. Therefore, in this matter your recompense increases in proportion to your love of hard work.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 638.

Hope

Quote from Letter 9.153 to the inhabitants of the island of Cáorle, in the province of Istria. May 599

Our Redeemer and Mediator between God and mankind, not forgetting our human condition, so joins the highest things with the lowest that, remaining forever in eternity himself, he arranges our temporal matters.
He does so with such a hidden impulse, determining them with holy moderation, that the ancient enemy can in no way seize from his hand those whom He knew before the start of time had to be united forever within the bosom of mother Church.
For even if any of those among whom he lives are blown apart by the winds of adversity for a while, and waver like the young shoots of a vine, yet the root of true faith that rises up from beneath the earth remains green through the divine will, so it might display fruit from its hidden store at the appointed time.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 637.

Devotion

Quote from Letter 9.152 to Andrew, a scholastic. May 599


The well-known quality of the devotion that you revealed long ago to Saint Peter, the prince of the apostles, shows what credence we ought to place in the sincerity of your Glory. Although we are confident that you are supporting his causes very readily, yet it is not contrary to your interest if we demand in this extensive letter of ours those things that you are doing in your own accord. 
And for that reason, we greet you with the affection of fatherly love, and ask that, since we have sent the bearer of this letter, our notary Castor, to your area, on pressing business, your Goodness should assist him in all things and cooperate with him with your advice wherever it proves necessary, so that he can rely on the support of your Christianity and can be found alert and well suited to the fulfillment of his responsibilities. 

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 637.

Unity

Quote from Letter 9.151 to Romans, defender of Sicily. May 599

The bears of this letter came here from the region of Istria to their bishop, who is now living in the district of Sicily, asking to go out through Rome with our support, and we have made arrangements for them to set out from here. Let your Experience receive them, therefore, and arrange how they might reach their aforesaid bishop more quickly, in case, as they claim, other schismatics of that region arrive to persuade the bishop before they get there. For as far as they indicate, that bishop wants to come to us himself, for the sake of a union of faiths. Thus they must be supported, so that they can complete the good things that they desire with the Lord's help.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 636.

Unity

Quote from Letter 9.149 to Marinianus, bishop of Ravenna. May 599

Those bearing this letter came to us from the region of Istria, desiring to be subjected to the united Church, with the Lord's help. We received them with affection, because of their praiseworthy desire, and as the sent ahead an exhortation about the preservation of the unity obtained, all know that we have allowed them to fight the good fight for our Church as well, as was their desire.
Let your Fraternity receive them with joy and freely provide them with the help that they request, so that as they return to their own homes, they are not worn out for the goodness of their work by any disturbances by evil people. 

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 635.

Unity

Quote from Letter 9.148 to Secundinus, an anchorite monk. May 599

Therefore, your Beloved, so very sweet to me with your very moral life, must afflict yourself through abstinence and apply yourself to the doctrine of God, and should think if this with more attention, in case a church might be found divided from the holy, universal Church by following an error of the schismatics.
And what did so many labour produce, if it is found not to be in the unity of faith, which before the eyes of almighty God protect the soul especially in good deeds? For from this it is said: 'One alone is my dove, my perfect one.' [Sg. 6:9]

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 630.

Scars on the Soul

Quote from Letter 9.148 to Secundinus, an anchorite monk. May 599

And a deceived mind often recovers with delight from the state in which it has toured itself with regret, so that i can truly say with the palmist:' Foul and festering are my scars because of my folly' [Ps 38:6]. For indeed a scat is a sign of a wound, but one cured. And so a scar becomes infected again when the sound of sin, already cured through penitence, rouses the mind to give itself pleasure. Often what we have never done, we see with our mind's eye through the traps of the cunning enemy, and when pleasure steals in insensibly in this, although it may now lament what it has done, yet it disgusts an unlucky mind  that we have done some things which it should lament. There are the shadows of our heart, which we endure in this life whether we want to or not. Who should be sought against this, other than an opportune helper in tribulation?

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 630.

Tricks of the Old Enemy

Quote from Letter 9.148 to Secundinus, an anchorite monk. May 599



And we indeed, who live among men, are often tempted through men by the cunning enemy. But you, who follow the path of your present life without human contact, must endure ever greater struggles, the more the very master of temptations attacks you.
For you cannot be free fro prayers and praises of God without some temporary interruption, because, although your intention is continually evident, yet human weakness itself relapses to its own nature, so that it finally lies worn out and inactive from the exercise of its devotion. But soon the ancient enemy, so as to find an idle mind, comes to it to speak under certain pretexts, and recalls things to its memory about its past deeds, and it indecently recalls to mind words once heard. 

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 630 .

Eloquence versus Truth

Quote from Letter 9.148 to Secundinus, an anchorite monk. May 599

I have received the letter of your Beloved, and in my senses it tasted as if seasoned with the honey of love. Oh, with what great breath of life is it filled, as your words poured out by the grace of the Holy Spirit! In them no cultured eloquence appeared, nor any pompous vocabulary, but containing only fundamental truth and charity, they breathed your love of the heavenly homeland in everything that they said.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 630.

Ruins in Fiesole

Quote from Letter 9.144 to Venantius, bishop of Luni. May 599

The contents of the petition of the priest, Agrippinus, and of the deacon, Servandus, concerning the church of Fiesole, is revealed to you by the document attached hereto. And for that reason, if what is contained therein has any basis of truth, and such persons have come to you as should be accorded some trust, you are obliged to give up to twenty gold coins, or more if you think it right, for the repair of churches that are said to be in ruins. Keep a record of the transaction, so that there should be both a remedy there and a defense for you.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 628.

The Bosom of the Mother Church

Quote from Letter 9,142 to Callinicus, exarch of Italy. May 599

(For) indeed, the bearers of this letter, coming to us from districts of Istria, avoiding the error of the schismatics, among whom they were living, and desiring to be subject to the unified Church. Considering their intention of good works, we welcomed them within the bosom of the Mother Church with suitable exhortation, and we gratefully allowed them their desire to serve as soldiers of our Church.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 627.

Death of a Bishop

Quote from Letter 9.143 to Anthem, sub-deacon of Campania. May 599

It has come to our attention from a report by certain people that when the bishop of the city of Aversa, Importunes, departed from this life, he left a will in which he bequeathed two thirds of his estate to his daughter-in-law, and the remainder third to his church.
And so we urge your Experience to investigate this with a very careful inquiry, and whatever clearly belongs to his church, do not allow it to be kept by any person at all (...). 
We also want you to warn the clergy and people of that same church with all urgency that they should elect a priest to be put in charge of them without any delay, so that he can settle the clergy and peopled the property or the same church with a careful arrangement bored on law.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 628.

A New Bishop (2)

Quote from Letter 9.140 to clergy and people of Rimini. May 599

And so, we exhort all of you to remove argument and with common consent to choose such a man to be put in charge of you, with the Lord's help, who would not be rejected in any way by the venerable canons, and could be found worthy of such a great ministry.
And when he has been asked for, let him come to us to be consecrated, with the solemnity of a decree corroborated by all of your signatures, and with a page from the visitor to follow, so that your church can have its own priest, with the Lord's disposition.
But we want you to take the priest whom you have chosen with unanimity to our brother and fellow-bishop, Marinianus, in Ravenna, without delay.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 626.

A New Bishop

Quote from Letter 9.139 to Marinianus, bishop of Ravenna. May 599

Therefore, because the careful concern imposed on us for all of the churches forces us not not to allow the flock of the faithful to lack pastoral care any longer, being compelled by their prayers and this bishop's announcement due to his impossible position, we have decided that another bishop should be ordained for that church in Rimini. 
After giving them the customary precepts, we have not ceased to encourage the clergy and people of that church to come together for the election of their own bishop, with harmonious forethought.
And so, we exhort your Fraternity to have the man called to you whom they all choose with complete agreement, as they themselves are known to have asked from us. examine him with a careful inquiry in all regards. And if what was punished by death in the text of Eptaticius had not been found at all in him, with the Lords's blessing, and from a report by faithful persons his way of life has also pleased you, send him over to us with the page of a decree, adding a letter as well with your testimony, so that he may be consecrated by us as bishop for the same church, with the Lord's disposition.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 625.

An Oratory in Rome

Quote from Letter 9.138 to Bona, abbess. April 599



And so, we have learnt that John, a deceased priest of the holy Roman Church that we serve, constructed with God's authority an oratory in a house owned by him and situated in this city of Rome, besides the baths of Agrippa, and he left some income there under the title of a legacy. He also established a community of monks in this oratory, and committed a page of his will to our predecessor of holy memory, Pelagius, to ensure that all of these things might be implemented. But prevented by his death, he did not manage to implement this, and agents of our Church are keeping the house itself with its garden (...). (W)ith the support of God we decided to dedicate the place itself solemn, and since your convent, where you were before, was agreed to be at risk of collapsing, we have decided to establish you there with your community, so that your community should inhabit the convent in the house mentioned above, in accordance with the wishes of the deceased, while serving our Lord and Redeemer, and you might avoid the threat of danger.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 624.

Doing Good

Quote from Letter 9.137 to Anthem, sup-deacon of Campania. April 599

Whenever some things worthy of consideration are allowed, for the sake of providing sustenance for those who deserve it, they both delight God and without doubt enrich the giver as well.
For that reason, we order your Experience with this authority not to put off giving twelve gold coins to the scholastic, Matheus, a most distinguished gentlemen.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 624.