Inspired by Gregory the Great

On Relics

2012-01-31T21:25:00.002+01:00

Quote from Letter 4,40 on the miracles of the apostles and relics of the saints, to the Empress Constantina. June 594.

But my most serene empress must know that it is not a custom for the Romans, when they give away relics of saints, to presume to touch anything of the body. Rather, a silk cloth is simply put in a small bod, which is placed near the very holy bodies of the saints. When lifted out, the box is deposited with due reverence in the church which is to be dedicated, and through it miracles occur, as great as if the saints' bodies were specially brought there.
From this it happened that in the time of Pope Leo of blessed memory, as is handed down by our ancestors, when some Greeks were in doubt about such relics, the above-mentioned pope brought in scissors and cut into this cloth, and blood flowed from the actual incision. For, in Roman areas and in all the Western parts, it is totally intolerable and sacrilegious if anyone should perhaps want to touch the bodies of the saints. If he presumes to do so, it is certain that this temerity will in no way remain unpunished.
For this reason we are greatly amazed at the custom of the Greeks, who say that they dig up the bones of saints, and we scarcely believe it.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 310

Mission

2012-01-30T21:09:00.003+01:00

Quote from Letter 4,29 to Januarius, bishop of Cagliari on Sardinia. June 594.

But we have now learnt that, through the lack of priests, some pagans remain there, living like wild animals, still totally ignorant of the worship of God. We exhort your Fraternity therefore to make haste to consecrate a bishop there, according to the old custom, but such a person of course who is apt for this work in his morality and speech, and who would be keen to lead his wandering sheep to the Lord's flock, with pastoral emulation.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 309

A Helping Hand

2012-01-29T15:32:00.004+01:00

Quote from Letter 4,28 to Candidus, defender. June 594.

It is fitting that pontifical assistance should be available for those who suffer need. With regard to this matter, we instruct your Experience, with the present authority, that without any delay, you do not cease to provide two thirds of a gold coin each year for Albinus, deprived of sight, the son of Martin, a one-time farmer.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 309

Being A Christian

2012-01-29T15:18:00.003+01:00

Quote from Letter 4,27 to Hospiton, duke of the Barbaricini. May 594.

Since nobody from your people is a Christian, I know that you are better than all of your people, in that you are found to be a Christian among them. For while all of the Barbaricini live like senseless animals, and know not the true God, worshipping sticks and stones, by the very fact that you worship the true God, you show how much you surpass all the others.
But you will need to prove the faith that you have received with good acts also, and to offer to Christ, in whom you believe, what is in your power. Thus you should bring to him as many people as you van, and have them baptized, warning them to love the eternal life.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 308

Ordination

2012-01-28T10:02:00.003+01:00

Quote from Letter 4,26 to Januarius, bishop of Cagliari. May 594.

Tt has also come to our attention that some who have lapsed from sacred orders are being recalled to the office of their ministry, either after doing penance, or before it. We have totally forbidden this, and in this matter the most sacred canons also declare against this practice.
Therefore, whoever has received a sacred order and has lapsed in carnal sin, must forfeit his sacred order so as to never again approach the ministry of the altar. But so that those who have been ordained should never be lost to the Church, care should be taken as to what sort of people are ordained, so that the first consideration is whether their life was continent over a great many years, and whether they had a passion for prayer and bible reading and a love of almsgiving. An enquiry should also be made in case one of them was perhaps married twice. Care should also be taken that he is not illiterate, and that he is not liable to state service, and forced to return to public employment after taking orders.
And so let your Fraternity carefully inquire into all of these matters.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 307

Praise

2012-01-23T21:17:00.002+01:00

Quote from Letter 4,25 to Zabardas, duke of Sardina. may 594

We offer great thanks to almighty God, because He has such a fine duke, who knows to pay to the republic what are earthly products, so as to know well also to show to almighty God his obedience towards the heavenly kingdom. For indeed they have written to me that you are arranging to make peace with the Barbaricini, on the condition that you bring the same Barbaricini to the service of Christ.
Concerning this matter, I am extremely happy. Should it pleases almighty God, I shall very quickly report your good deeds to our serene emperor.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 306

The Disease Of Sins

2012-01-23T21:04:00.003+01:00

Quote from Letter 4,24 to Januarius, bishop of Sardina. May 594

As for the cleric Paul, he is said to have been discovered sinning on many occasions and, despising his habit, he has reverted to life as a layman and has fled to Africa. If that is so, once he has first suffered corporeal punishments, we order him to be handed over for penance.
Thus, in accordance with the apostolic sentence, his spirit may be saved through carnal affliction and with a continuous flow of tears he can wash away the earthly disease of sins, which he is said to have contracted through wicked deeds.
But let no religious person be associated with those who have been suspended from ecclesiastical communion, in accordance with the rules of the canons.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 305

Idolatry

2012-01-23T20:49:00.004+01:00

Quote from Letter 4,23 - to the nobles and landowners living on the island of Sardinia. May 594

I suggest that you should with all care and all concern be full of zeal over your souls, and consider what accounts you will render to almighty God of your subjects. For they have been entrusted to you for this purpose, that they might serve your advantage in earthly things, and that you also, through your care of them, might provide for their souls those things which are eternal.
Therefore, if they pay what they owe, why do you not pay what you owe to them? That is, your Greatness should warn them assiduously, and restrain them from the error of idolatry, so that, by leading them back to the faith, you may make almighty God amenable towards yourselves. For look, you see how near the end is closing on this world. You see that now a human sword, and now a divine one threatens us. And yet you worshippers of a true God, do you watch the worship of stones by those entrusted to you, and keep silent?

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 304

Pastoral Circumspection

2012-01-18T21:47:00.003+01:00

Quote from Letter 4,22 to Constantius, bishop of Milan. May 594

Summon our aforesaid brother [Venantius] to you and force all the clerics and other religious people of the city named above [Luni] and all of its territory, to come to you, all whose sins are under suspicion. Carefully inquire into everything in accordance with God, on account of the fear of future judgment. If you find that anyone has abandoned the statutes of the canon laws, correct him with a canonical punishment. do not allow those who fail to show in their morality what they show off in their attire, to roam about any longer in your areas while in danger. With your pastoral circumspection, you must bring them back to the straight and narrow.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 303

Law And Slavery

2012-01-17T20:55:00.003+01:00

Quote from Letter 4,21 - to Venantius, bishop of Luni. May 594

It has reached us through the reports of many that Christian slaves are being kept for servitude by Jews living in the city of Luni. This matter has seemed to us all the more bitter, as the patience of your Fraternity carried it out. Indeed you were obliged, out of respect of your position and with regard to the Christian religion, to leave no opportunity for simple souls to be slaves somehow to the Jewish superstition, not so much through persuasion as through the right of ownership.
Therefore we exhort your Fraternity, in accordance with the tenor of the most pious laws, not to allow any Jew to keep a Christian slave under his control.
(..) In all of these matters, therefore, we want you to apply yourself wisely so that you are not on trial as pastor of a dismembered flock, and your lack of zeal does not make your Fraternity reprehensible in our view.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 303

An Angry Pope

2012-01-17T20:38:00.004+01:00

Letter 4,20 - to Maximus, a pretender in Salona. April 594

Although other aspects of someone's life may have such merit that there is nothing that might prevent him from priestly promotions, yet the sin of bribery on its own is condemned by the most severe punishment of canon laws. And so we have learnt that, by a false or pretended command of our most pious emperor, while you were being unworthy in your way of life, you forced your way into the office of bishop, a highly venerated rank. We believed this then without any hesitation. For we are well aware of your way of life and your age, and furthermore, we are not ignorant of the mind of our most serene Lordship and emperor, knowing that he does not usually involve himself in the cases of bishops, so as not to be burdened in any way by doing us wrong.
Added to this is an unheard of sin. For even after our interdiction that was made pursuant to the excommunication of you and those consecrating you, you were led before the public by a military troop, it is said, after priests, deacons and other clergy had been killed. We can in no way call this a consecration, as men were conducting it who had been excommunicated.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 302

Church of Saint Agatha

2012-01-16T20:50:00.002+01:00

Letter 4,19 - to Leo, acolyte. March 594

(Thus) the church of Saint Agatha, situated in Subura, that was once a cave of heretical depravity, has been brought back to the worship of the Catholic faith, by the grace of God. For that reason, armed with the direction of this authority, continue to collect each year the taxes on all the houses built in this city that the aforesaid church is agreed to have hand in the time of the Goths.
However much is necessary for repairing buildings or for lamps, and for other restoration of that church, you must be keen to pay in full. But whatever might be left over, we order you to credit it honestly to the Church accounts.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 301

Against Neglect

2012-01-16T20:37:00.003+01:00

Letter 4,18 - to Maurus, abbot of Saint Pancras. March 594

(But) we have learnt that the church of Saint Pancras [in Rome], which was entrusted to priests, has frequently suffered from neglect, to the extent that when people came on a Sunday to celebrate solemn Mass, they found no priest, and returned home muttering.
And so, after due deliberation, we have settled on this decision. We should remove the priests and establish a community of monks in the monastery adjacent to the same church, by the grace of Christ, so that the abbot in charge there should have total control and concern for the aforesaid church.
We have also decided that you, Maurus, should be put in charge, as abbot of the monastery. And we make it a condition that the lands of the aforesaid Church, and whatever has entered there or has accrued from tis financial returns, ought to be directed to the aforesaid monastery of yours, and should apply there without any reduction.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 301

On Randsom

2012-01-10T20:45:00.003+01:00

Letter 4,17 - to Felix, bishop of Siponto. December 593

And so, since the above-mentioned Tribunus asserts that he was kidnapped by the enemy and was bought for twelve gold coins, and laments that he is being urged to pay them back, you ought to inquire into this diligently. And if it is so, and you learn that he does not have the funds from which he could pay back the price given for him, repay the aforesaid gold coins to the person who redeemed him, from Church funds.
For it is very hard if he finds no remedy from the Church for which he fights. And so, avoiding any excuse, pay the price that was clearly paid for him, with manifest trust, and without any delay, as we have said already.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 300

Lawful Ordination

2012-01-10T20:32:00.003+01:00

Letter 4,16 - to all the bishops in Dalmatia. November 593

But your morals have been so degraded by secular business that, forgetting the whole path of priestly honor within you and all your respect for heavenly fear, you are keen to carry out what pleases you, not God. And so we have thought it necessary to send over to you these stricter words, specially written.
In them, through the authority of Saint Peter, the prince of the apostles, we command that you do not presume to lay your hands on anyone at all in the city of Salona, without our agreement and permission, as far as it concerns the consecration to the episcopate. And do not consecrate anyone in that same city other that as we have stated.
But if you shall have presumed or attempted to act contrary to this either of your own accord, or forced by anyone else, we consider you to be deprived of participation in the body and blood of our Lord.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 299

Safety

2012-01-09T17:31:00.003+01:00

Letter 4,15 - to Cyprian, deacon and defender of Sicily. October 593

It has come to our attention that various priests of Italy have fled for safety to Sicily, and have taken with them a great many precious objects from their churches, and this has almost entirely vanished, as priests either died or were badly dispersed.
Concerned about this matter, we exhort your Beloved to send messages throughout all of Sicily. Wherever you have found sacred dishes and church properties located without proper care, have them collected with maximum strictness. And when they have been brought together and recored with a receipt, deposit them with bishops of individual churches. These bishops should preserve them most securely, with the Lord's help, until a time of peace shall demand them.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 299

In Consideration of His Piety

2012-01-05T21:14:00.002+01:00

Letter 4,14 - to Maximian, bishop of Syracuse. October 593

The deacon Felix, bearer of this letter, has in no way lapsed into the dogma of the heretics, and has not departed from the Catholic faith, enticed by evil suspicions towards the synod of Constantinopel. But he had removed himself from the separation of the Istrian church.
When he had come to Rome, he received a judgement from us, with the Lord's help, and having received the body of the Lord in communion, he corrected his sinfulness. And so he did not fall into heresy, as has been said, but strayed from the holy mysteries of the universal Church, as if searching for the right intention.
Therefore, we have considered his weakness and his necessities, and making special provision for his maintenance in consideration of his piety, we have provided for him to be incardinated in your church of Syracuse. Thus he may either fulfill his duty as deacon, or certainly may obtain the salary alone of the same office, to support his poverty.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 298

2012-01-05T21:02:00.004+01:00

Letter 14,13 - to Crementius, primate and bishop of Bizacium. October 593

Our aforesaid brother Quitianus seized an opportunity in this matter, he claims, and consecrated another man as priest there, in his place. We therefore exhort your Fraternity to inquire into his case with careful concern. And if you find that he was absent from his church quite clearly because of the illness, as is argued, you should not allow any prejudice to be created against him through the ordination of another priest. But see that he is restored to his position without any hesitation.
But is the matter is said to differ from the apparent content of the suggestion he offered, inquire into the same man's case according to the law and the canons. Whatever you decide on in accordance with God, take care with the Lord's help to make a decision so that no question about this matter reverts to us any more.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I:297

Cruel Evil

2011-10-23T21:36:00.003+02:00

Letter 4,12 - to Maximian, bishop of Syracuse. October 593

" We have received repeated reports of such great evils being done in that province, that we might believe that it will soon perish (Heaven forbid!), due to the sins it commits.
For the bearer of this letter, on arriving here, complained tearfully that for several years before he had been supported by some man over possession of the church of Messina and its fonts. He said that he had been forcibly married to that man's female slave, through various persuasions, and asserted that from that union he already had some poor young boys. And he is even said now to have forcibly separated her from him, removing her and selling her to some other person.
If this is true, your Beloved sees how unheard of and cruel evil it is. And for that reason we suggest that you inquire into and disperse this very great wickedness, with that vivacity which we know full well you show in holy causes."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 297

Decree On Holy Orders

2011-10-23T21:13:00.004+02:00

Letter 4,11 - to Maximian, bishop of Syracuse. September 593

" You should not allow priests, deacons and other clerics, who serve the churches, to become abbots in the monasteries. Rather, they should either give up their clerical service and be called to monastic orders, or if they have decided to remain in the role of abbot, they should in no way be permitted to continue in the service of a cleric.
For it is quite improper if someone cannot fulfill just one of these roles diligently, in proportion to its importance, and yet is judged suitable for both of them.
Thus the ecclesiastical order would impede the monastic life, and in turn the rule of monasticism would also impede the ecclesiastical benefits."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 295

Last Will And Testament

2011-10-23T16:53:00.004+02:00

Letter 4,10 - to Januarius, bishop of Cagliari. September 595

"But so that your zeal should not be weakened by the intervention of any sort of relaxation, we have decided that you should be especially encouraged concerning these duties. For indeed, we have heard that that magnificent man, Stephen, while he was departing from this life, directed that a monastery should be founded, by a clause in his last will and testament. It is said that his desire has so far been postponed thanks to a delay of his heiress, the honorable lady Theodosia.
Therefore we exhort your Fraternity to make every effort over the aforesaid case, and to warn the lady mentioned above that she ought to establish the convent within the space of a year, as she was ordered, and to construct everything according to the will of her dead husband, without any dispute."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 294

Proven Of Life And Morals

2011-10-07T21:42:00.003+02:00

Letter 4,9 - to Januarius, bishop of Cagliari. September 593

"Carefully select one man, proven in his way of life and morals, whose age and rank leave him open to no suspicion of evil. With the fear of God, this man should be able to attend the convents themselves, so that the nuns are no longer allowed to wander outside their venerable abodes, contrary to the rule, for any reasons at all, whether private or public. But whatever has to be done for them, let it be done sensibly through the man selected by you. But let them offer praises to God and confine themselves to their convents, and provide no further reason for a suspicion of evil in the minds of the faithful.
Yet if any of them, through the earlier freedom, or through an evil custom of impunity, has either been seduced in the past or will be dragged down into the abyss of adultery in the future, we want her to suffer the severity of appropriate punishment, and then be consigned to another stricter convent of virgins, to do penance. There let her improve herself with prayers and fasting and penitence, and let her provide a fearful example to others of a stricter discipline.
But the man who is found in some wicked act with women of this sort, must be deprived of communion, if he is a layman. If he is a cleric, he must also be removed from his office and be confined to a monastery, to bewail his failures n self-control for evermore."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 292.

A New Convent

2011-09-29T21:04:00.003+02:00

Letter 4,8 - to Januarius, bishop of Cagliari in Sardinia. September 593

"That is, she should construct a convent for the nuns with the Lord's help, in a house belonging to her, which she claims to own at Cagliari. But as she says that guests and casual visitors are overrunning her aforesaid home, we exhort your Fraternity to take care to give her assistance in all these matters, and to offer the help of your protection to her devotion. Thus, your cooperation and concern may make you a participant in the reward for her late husband and for her sense of duty.
We want relics, however, which she asks to be gathered in that house, to be placed there by your Fraternity, with the veneration they deserve."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 292.

The Way Of The Fathers

2011-09-29T20:54:00.004+02:00

Letter 4,7 - to Gennadius, patrician and exarch of Africa. September 593

"And so we impose on you the correction of ecclesiastical cases all the more gladly, as we trust in the pious intent of your mind. For your Excellency should know that news has been brought to us by men coming from parts of Africa, that in the council of Numidia, many things are being committed contrary to the way of the Fathers and the statues of the canons.
And because we could no longer tolerate at all the frequent complaints over these matters, we have committed their investigation to Columbus, our brother and fellow-bishop. His reputation is well known and does not allow us to have any further doubts about his gravity.
For this reason, we greet you with fatherly affection, and ask your Excellency to lend him the strength of your assistance, in all matters that concern Church discipline."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 291.

A Monstrous Crime

2011-09-26T21:16:00.003+02:00

Letter 4,6 - to Cyprian, our deacon and defender of Sicily. September 593

"It has been brought to our attention that a lady called Petronella, who was born in the province of Lucania, became a non through the encouragement of Bishop Angellus. She bestowed on the convent that she had entered, by a special title of gift, all of her property in possession, although by law it could have remained her property. And we heard that on the death of the aforesaid bishop, he left half of his fortune to Angellus, a son of his who is said to be a notary of our Church, and half to the same convent.
But when they had fled to Sicily because of the disaster threatening Italy, the above-mentioned Angellus [the son, not the father and bishop] is said to have seduced her, after corrupting her morals. Sensing that she was pregnant, he removed her from the convent, and stole all of her property, and that which he could hold in possession, as by his father's right.
After perpetrating such a monstrous crime, he is said to be claiming all the property by right of ownership.
We exhort your Beloved, therefore, to have the aforesaid man and the aforesaid woman brought before you under a strict indictment, and to investigate this same case according to its merits, with a most careful examination."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 291.

Church Discipline

2011-09-26T21:00:00.003+02:00

Letter 4,5 - to Boniface, bishop of Reggio. September 593

"We wish you also to show concern for the reputation of the aforesaid clergy of yours, so that nothing evil is heard about them, and nothing that tends to be contrary to Church discipline. for their office ought to reflect their embellishment of it, not the foulness of their actions.
However, we have decreed that what we decided concerning the Sicilian subdeacons, should be observed with regard to yours also. Do not allow that decision of ours to be spoilt by anyone's arrogance or temerity. Thus, as long as you have most strictly obeyed all of our commands, you should not show yourself to be a sinner against our warning (as we also believe). Nor would the order of pastoral rule entrusted to you accuse you in any way, as being guilty of slackness."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 290.

The True faith

2011-09-25T12:51:00.002+02:00

Letter 4,4 - to Theodelinda, queen of the Lombards. September 593

"For we confess, with or conscience as our witness, that nothing has been removed from the faith of that same holy council of Chalcedon, nor anything violated. However, whatever was done at the time of the aforementioned Justinian, was done in such a way that the faith of the council of Chalcedon might be disturbed in no way. However, if anyone presumes to say or to know anything contrary to the faith of the same synod, we condemn this view under the imposition of anathema.
Therefore, since you understand our integrity from the testimony or our conscience, it remains for you never to separate yourself from communion with the Catholic Church. Otherwise so many tears of yours and such great and good works may be wasted, if found alien to the true faith.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 289.

Unity

2011-09-19T10:31:00.003+02:00

Letter 4,3 - to Constantius, bishop of Milan. September 593

"For with truth guiding us and with conscience our witness, we confess that we preserve the faith of the holy synod of Chalcedon as inviolate in every way, and dare to add nothing, and to subtract nothing from its definition. But if anyone is seeking, contrary to the faith of the same synod, either to add of to subtract from it to suit his interpretation, we anathematize him without any delay, and decree that he is alienated from the bosom of the mother Church.
Therefore, he who is not cured by that confession of mine, no longer loves the synod of Chalcedon, but hates the bosom of the mother Church.
And so, if they have presumed to say with a passionate spirit those very things that they seem to have dared to say, it remains for them to return to unity with your Fraternity, having received this assurance, and not to divide themselves from the body of Christ, which is the holy, universal Church."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 289.

Schism

2011-09-14T21:25:00.004+02:00

Letter 4,2 - to Constantius, bishop of Milan. September 593

"And if there has been any mention of the Three Chapters in anything said or written, your Fraternity remembers it well, although Laurence, the predecessor to your Fraternity, sent a very strict pledge to the apostolic see, witnessed by most noble men, in number as prescribed by law. Among them I also added my signature to theirs, as at that time I was acting as urban praetor. This was because, after such a schism had arisen for no reason, it was right that the apostolic see should take care in every way to protect unity in the minds of priests of the universal Church.
But is it being said that our daughter, Queen Theodelinda, after hearing this report, has withdrawn herself from communion with you. It is quite evident that, although she has been seduced to some small degree by the words of wicked men, yet when Hippolitus the notary and Abbot John arrive there, she will be seeking communion with your Fraternity in every way."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 287.

Priestly Virtues

2011-09-14T21:10:00.005+02:00

Letter 4,1 - to Constantius, bishop of Milan. September 593

"Therefore it is proper for you to respond to their behavior with priestly kindness in all things, and to agree with their needs with holy compassion. If some of these happen to have vices, you should ensure them with timely criticisms, so that your priestly indignation is itself combined also with the virtue of sweetness. Thus you should also be loved by your subjects then, even when you shall be gravely feared.
This approach will also provide your person with great reverence in their judgement. For, just as hasty and repeated fury is despised, even so discrete indignation against faults very often becomes all the more frightening, as it is slow to arise.
But John, our sub-deacon, returning here has reported to us many good things about your Fraternity. Concerning these, we ask almighty God to complete what He himself has begun, so that he may show that you have made progress inwardly and outwardly, now among men and afterwards among the angels."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 287.

Friendship

2011-09-12T21:54:00.003+02:00

Letter 3,65 - to Theotimis, physician. August 593

"There were some ancient philosophers who said that there was one soul in two bodies, not joining the two with love, but dividing the single substance of the soul into two. But we say by contrast that we have one soul, not by dividing the substance, but by joining hearts. For it was written about those first Christians: "there was in them one heart and one soul." I read this in the Acts of the Apostles in such a way that I recognize it in the case of Lord Theotimus and me.
For he is such a kindred spirit, that when present in body he never lets me down, and when absent in body, he is always made present through the spirit.
And I offer thanks to almighty Lord, who fills the innermost parts of our mind with the grace of his love."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 286.

Silent Diplomacy

2011-09-12T21:42:00.003+02:00

Letter 3,64 - to Theodore, physician. August, 593

" For he [the emperor] has decreed that nobody should be allowed to become a monk who has had a public occupation (..). If our most serene Lordship did this because perhaps many soldiers were becoming monks and the army was decreasing, did almighty God subjugate the empire of Peria to him through the courage of his soldiers at all? was it not that his tears alone were heard, and by that order which our Lordship knew not, God subjected the Persian empire to his empire? It seems very harsh to me that he prohibits his soldiers from the service of God, who has provided him with everything, and who allowed him to be ruler not only of troops but of priests also.
If his intention is to save property, how were those same monasteries, which had taken in the soldiers, unable to pay off their debts, and keep the men just simply for a religious way of life?
I have suggested to the same Lordship that this greatly upsets me. But would your Glory offer my suggestion to him privately, at an opportune moment? I do not want it to be given by my emissary in public, because you who serve him as a friend can say more openly and freely what is the good of his soul."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 285.

Too Much Too Do

2011-09-08T21:27:00.004+02:00

Letter 3,63 - to Narses. August 593

"As for your Beloved asking me in your letters to offer thanks on your behalf to my son, Lord Theodore, chief doctor and ex-prefect, I have done so. Nor have I ceased to commend you as much as I was able to do. But I beg you to pardon me for replying to your letters so briefly, but I am oppressed by such great tribulations, that I am allowed neither to read much nor to say much by means of letters. I say this only to you, briefly, that 'I forget to eat my bread from the voice of my groaning'."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 284.

The Richness Of Scripture

2011-09-08T21:14:00.004+02:00

Letter 3,62 - to Domitian, metropolitan. August 593

"For in the understanding of Holy Scripture, whatever is not opposed to a firm faith ought not to be rejected. For just as from gold alone, some men make necklaces, others rings and others bracelets, as ornaments, even so from a knowledge of Holy Scripture, various expounders through countless interpretations, compose varied ornaments, as it were, all of which, however, are for the adornment of a heavenly bride.
And I am extremely happy that your most charming Beatitude, even when busy with secular cases, vigilantly turn you mind back to the understanding of Holy Scripture. For indeed it is very necessary that, even if the former cannot be avoided altogether, the latter should not be postponed altogether.
But I beg you by our almighty Lord, stretch forth your hand of prayer to me, as I labor in such great waves of tribulation. Thus I may be raised by your intercession to the heights, as I am being pressed down to the depths by the weight of my sins."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 282.

Protest Against A Law

2011-09-06T21:24:00.004+02:00

Letter 3,62 - to the Emperor Maurice. August 593

"In [this new law] your Lordship's piety enacted that anyone involved in public administration should not be allowed to obtain an ecclesiastical office. I praise this greatly, knowing most clearly that one who hastens to obtain ecclesiastical offices, while giving up a secular occupation, wants to change what is secular, not relinquish it.
But I was totally amazed that in the same law it is stated that this person should not be allowed to become monk, while his accounts can be handled through a monastery, and it can be arranged also that his debts may be recovered from that place which accepts him. For, although nobody with a devout mind would have wanted to become a monk before repaying what was wrongly taken, he could also think about his own soul all the more truthfully, as he is the more lightly burdened.
In this law it has been added that no one marked on the hand should be allowed to become a monk. This regulation, I confess to my Lordship, had greatly alarmed me. For through it, the path to Heaven is closed for many men, and what has been legal up till now, is prohibited from being legal. For there are many who can lead a religious life, even in a secular condition. And there are very many who could not in any way be saved in the presence of God, unless they gave up everything.
However, as I say this to my Lordship, what am I but dust and worm? And yet because I feel that this regulation turns against God, the author of all things, I cannot be silent before my Lordship's piety for this reason, that those who seek good things are given help, that the path of Heaven is opened more widely, and that an earthly kingdom is in service to the heavenly kingdom."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 280.

Pastoral Care

2011-09-01T21:53:00.003+02:00

Letter 3,60 - to Fortunatus, bishop of Naples. August 593

"You should therefore repay their [the citizens of Napels] affection with your own morality, repressing the evil, opening up to the good with discretion and maximum kindness, and urging them to follow the better parties more frequently, so that they may rejoice to have found a father's morality in you, and you too, with the cooperation of the Lord, may more zealously carry out the pastoral care entrusted to you."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 280.

Effort And Support

2011-09-01T17:44:00.003+02:00

Letter 3,59 - to Eutychius, bishop of Tydari. August 593

"For you have written to us that some worshippers of idols and adherents to the dogma of the Angelii were found in these parts in which you are established. You have asserted that several of them had converted, but that some defended themselves through the names of potentates and by the nature of the region.
Giving help therefore to the good works of your Beloved, we have sent a letter of ours to that glorious man, the praetor of Sicily. We have asked him, with God's help, to work with you as vigorously as he can, so that your praiseworthy undertaking can be completed profitably.
Your Fraternity should therefore show the greatest of concern over this matter. For you will truly follow your episcopal path, if through your zeal and eloquence you bring back into the unity of the Church those who dissent from the true faith."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 279.

Last Will And Testament

2011-08-29T21:51:00.003+02:00

Letter 3,58 - to Fortunatus, bishop of Naples. August 593

"It is right to fulfill religious desires when it is not difficult. And this is so in the case of the Abbess Gratiosa, who has joined her community in presenting a petition, which is contained in her appendix. In it she has claimed that Rustica, recorded as a patrician, is known to have built a convent for nuns, through her final decision of her will, in the city of Naples. It is her own home, in the region of Herculaneum, in a village called Lampas. Here she has arranged that the aforesaid Gratiosa should be abbess in charge. She has also built an oratory, and, to carry her vow, Gratiosa has suggested that she withdraw a third of her whole fortune, and she want it to be consecrated in honor of the blessed Mary, ever virgin and mother of our Lord Jesus Christ.
And for that reason, my very dear brother, we thought that your Beloved should be encouraged with the present injunction to inspect the final will first of al and, if it remains lawful, to make certain that the same third has in all truth spent on the same convent."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 278.

Words And Works

2011-08-29T21:38:00.004+02:00

Letter 3,57 - to the patrician Italica. August 593

"But let almighty God bring it about that, just as we have good feelings about you, so your mind may give a good response to us, and you may exhibit in your works the sweetness that you expend on your words.
For the most glorious health and beauty on the surface of a body is worth nothing if there is a wound deep within. And that discord is all the more to be avoided, for which external peace provides a cover up. But in the aforesaid letter, your excellency tried earnestly to recall to our memory that this had been written to you. That in cases concerning the poor, we wanted to make no decisions with you that cause offence, or that ring with the din of a public court. We remember writing this, and know that, with God's help, we restrain ourselves from quarrelsome cases with ecclesiastical moderation. And in accordance with apostolic good sense, we happily put up with the plundering of our goods. But we believe that you know this, that our silence and patience will not create a legal precedent for future popes after me in matters of the poor."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 277.

A Fair Warning

2011-08-27T16:37:00.005+02:00

Letter 3,56 - to Bishop Secundinus. August 593

"We therefore warn your Fraternity not to insert any delay now, after receiving our present letter. But once the place of these same fonts have been filled in, let the altar be built there to celebrate the holy mysteries without delay.
Thus it may be lawful for the aforesaid monks to celebrate the work of God more securely, and our mind will not be aroused against your Fraternity because of your negligence."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 277.

A Helping Hand

2011-08-27T16:18:00.002+02:00

Letter 3,55 - to Cyprian, deacon. July 593

"Cosmas says that he is bound by so may debts from various dangerous exigencies that his own sons, he claims, are being detained by his creditors as surety. If this matter is so, it has certainly disturbed us. For this reason we encourage your Beloved to inquire into his case with the greatest detail, because it concerns money from the poor-box being given."

Wearing The Pallium

2011-08-25T21:52:00.001+02:00

Letter 3,54 - to John, bishop of Ravenna. July 593

"Try not to deviate from the rule of humility in any way. I do not mean on your own, but through the command of others or of your predecessors.
For to sum up briefly what I said above, I advise you, unless you show that these were attributed to you through privilege by the munificence of my predecessors, do not presume to wear the pallium in the streets any longer, in case you begin not to wear at masses that which you wear audaciously in the streets.
But concerning the vestry, because your Fraternity made and allowed yourself to sit down with a pallium, and to admit the sons of the Church, for a while now we have made no complaint.For we follow the opinion of the synods and refuse to punish minor faults which are denied. We accept that this has been done once or twice, but we prohibit it being done any longer. But let your Fraternity be extremely concerned in case what is still allowed under the presumption that it is just beginning may be punished more severely for continuing.
You have complained furthermore, that some men from the priestly order of the city of Ravenna, threatened by their transgressions, have become involved in serious crimes. We want you either to discuss their case there, or to send them over here to discuss the same matters, that is if the difficulties of proof are an impediment, due to the great distance of the two places."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 272.

Justice Must Be

2011-08-23T20:48:00.003+02:00

Letter 3,53 - to Maximian, bishop of Syracuse. July 593

"After punishment has been inflicted by canon law on the one-time Bishop Agatho, in accordance with the nature of his excesses, it is necessary from the point-of-view of humanity to decide how he can be supported. For that reason let your Fraternity quickly make arrangements at the church of Lipardi, in which the above-mentioned Agatho held the office of bishop, and then for the present hand over forty gold coins to him, which can provide for his sustenance."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 272.

In Respons To Your Letter....

2011-08-21T21:01:00.004+02:00

Letter 3,52 - to John, bishop of Constantinopel. July 593

"Would it not have been better that meat went in that mouth for consumption, than that a false story should come out of it to mock a very close friend? Especially when Truth says: 'It is not what enters one mouth that defiles that person, but what comes out of the mouth is what defiles one'.
But let this not be true, so that I not believe something of that sort about your most holy heart. Those letters were marked by your name at the top, but I do not think that they were yours.
I had written to that most blessed man, Lord John, but I believe that a quite young servant of yours wrote back to me, who has learnt nothing about God so far, who does not know the inner parts of love, who is accused by all for his sinful actions, and who contrives each day the deaths of various people through secret testaments. And yet neither fears God nor shows shame before men. Believe me, most holy brother, if you have a perfect zeal for truth, first correct yourself, so that besides those who are close to you, those also who are not close to you may be changed for the better by your example. Do not accept that man's utterance. He ought to be directer to the counsel of your Holiness, and your Holiness ought not to be altered to his words. For if you listen to him, I know that you will not be able to have peace with your brethren."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 270.

Wisdom Of Life

2011-08-16T22:08:00.003+02:00

Letter 3,51 - to Priscus, patrician of the East. July 593

"But as a traveler walks now over level ground, and now over uneven ground, so certainly do we, while we remain in this life, now meet prosperity and now adversity, and finally they succeed one another in alternate periods of time, and with each in succession they become confused.
And so, while the rule of mutability corrupts everything in this world, we should neither be lifted up by prosperity nor broken by adversity. And so it suits us to strive with all our mind to reach that world, where whatever is firm endures and where prosperity is not altered by adversity.
There fore in this life it is arranged by the wonderful direction of almighty God that either adversity follows prosperity or prosperity follows adversity. For, when humiliated, we must learn whatever fault we have committed. And again, when exalted, we must retain in our mind the memory of adversity, as if an anchor of humility.
This therefore should be considered not as the anger of our Creator, but as his grace, through which we learn that the more humbly we hold on to his gifts, the more truly we preserve them."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 269.

Gathering Miracles

2011-08-12T22:01:00.005+02:00

Letter 3,50 - to Maximian, bishop of Syracuse. July 593

"My brethren, who live with me on friendly terms, compel me in every way to write something about the miracles of the Fathers, which we have heard took place in Italy. For which matter, I earnestly need the solace of your Charity, so that whatever ones you recall to memory, and whatever ones you happen to have discovered, you will briefly describe for me. For I remember you recalling something which I consigned to oblivion, concerning the Abbot, Lord Nonnosus, who was next to the Lord Anastasius from Pentumi."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 268.

Zealous And Vigilant

2011-08-11T22:00:00.003+02:00

Letter 3,49 - to Theodore, bishop of Lilybaeum. July 593

"The concern of your Fraternity is extremely welcome to us. For those things that you find out about the lives of your priests, you both take care to examine closely and, when investigated, you report back on them. Be zealous and vigilant, therefore, so that you can persist in this concern that we praise in you, without any diminution. And if you find out that any excesses are being perpetrated there by anyone (Heaven forbid!), if indeed they are of the sort that could be corrected there, let them be corrected reasonably. Otherwise, hasten to report back in a letter to our brother, Bishop Maximian so that when informed by you, he may know what should be done. For the more we applaud your vigilance now, the more culpable you are found to be if you have concealed facts of this sort with any kind of dissimulation."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 268.

Worthy Ordination

2011-08-10T17:15:00.004+02:00

Letter 3,48 - to Adeodatus, primate bishop of the province of Numidia. July 593

"Furthermore, as we greet your Fraternity with a harmonious feeling of affection, we exhort you to endeavor with a total application to carry out your office of primate, which you have with God's authority, with great wisdom. Thus it may both profit your soul to have reached this rank, and a good example for imitation may be available for others in the future.
And so be especially careful in ordination, and in no way allow men to aspire to holy orders unless more advanced in age and pure in deed. Otherwise, perhaps they may cease to be forever what they immaturely hasten to become. First examine the life and morals of those who are to be placed in holy orders and, so that you can admit those who are worthy of this office, do not let the influence or prayers of any person deprive you of them. 5n truth before all else you ought to take care that no venality occurs in ordination, in case (Heaven forbid!) a greater danger threatens both those consecrated and those consecrating.
Therefore, if action is ever necessary over this, invite serious and experienced men to participate in your counsels, and judge this matter with a common deliberation. And before all others, it is Columbus, our brother and fellow-bishop, whom you should consult over any matter at all."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 266.

Praise

2011-08-09T11:51:00.004+02:00

Letter 3,47 - to Bishop Columbus. July 593

"I congratulate you and praise God our Creator especially, who does not deny the gifts of his mercy to his humble servants. For this reason I truly confess that your Fraternity has so inspired me to love you with the flame of charity, and that my spirit has been so united with yours, that I both long to see you, and yet in your absence I shall always think of you in my heart. For the union of minds in love can certainly show more honor than bodily presence. Furthermore with all my mind, with all my heart and with all my soul, I know that you adhere even now to the apostolic see, and are devoted to it, and before your letter gave witness of this devotion, I knew it full well."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 265.

A Laudable Election

2011-08-07T17:08:00.005+02:00

Letter 3,46 - to the clergy of the church of Salona. July 593.

"In reading again the letter of your Beloved selves, we have learnt that you have elected your archdeacon, Honoratus. Know that this was welcome to us in every way, as you have elected to the rank of bishop a man long since known, with a strict morality. We also approve of this person, which has for some time been well known to us, and we wish to consecrate him as your bishop in accordance with your desire,
In this matter, we advise that you should persist in his election without any ambiguity, nor should any matter turn you away from this person. For just as that laudable election is now approved of, even so, if anyone (Heaven forbid!) should persuade your Beloved to give up your support for him, you will impose trouble on your soul and a stigma of faithlessness on your reputation.
But we have given a warning through Antoninus, our sub-deacon, that those who, without consideration, disagree with the general acceptance of your choice, should be able to agree with you."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 265.

Misbehavior Must be Punished

2011-08-04T22:32:00.003+02:00

Letter 3,45 - to John, bishop of Gallipoli. June 593

"From the report that your Fraternity sent to us, it has been found that Andrew, our brother and fellow-bishop, has without doubt had a concubine. But because it is uncertain wether he touched her while appointed to holy orders, you must warn him with a concerned exhortation. It her knows that he had intercourse with her while appointed to holy orders, he should retire from the office he holds and in no way presume to minister it. And if perchance, knowing he is guilty of his affair, he conceals his sin and presumes to minister, he should know that danger threatens his soul from the divine judgement.
But as for the woman from the poor-list whom he had chastised with cudgels, although we do not believe that her death eight month later was a result of that beating, yet because he had her punished in this way contrary to the rule of his vocation, suspend him from celebration of Mass for two months. Thus, at least this disgrace may teach him how he might behave for the future.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 264.

A Matter Of Consciounce

2011-07-31T16:24:00.004+02:00

Letter 4,34 - to Andrew, bishop of Tarentum. June 593

"We have found out with manifest truth that you have certainly had a concubine, concerning whom divided suspicions have arisen among some people. But since in ambiguous matters a judgement should not be absolute, we have decided that this should be left for your conscience. And so if you recall being stained by intercourse with her, while appointed to a holy order, you should lay aside your priestly rank and in no way presume to engage in church administration, knowing that your are ministering with danger to your soul, and that you are giving clear account to our God if, while conscious of this sin, you want to remain in the order which you now have by concealing the truth.
Wherefore we encourage you again, if you find that you have been deceived by the cunning of the ancient enemy, be quick to conquer him while you can with sustainable penitence, in case of the day of Judgement your are condemned as his partner, which we do not want. But if in your view you are not guilty of this charge, you must remain in the order in which you are now."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 263.

Lost Property

2011-07-29T22:01:00.002+02:00

Letter 3,43 - to Boniface, bishop of Reggio. June 593

"Indeed Stephania, who bears this letter, complains that some of her property was seizes by force in the time of your predecessor and one-time bishop, Lucius, by his agents. And because she has requested that this should be restored to her, with justice on her side, for that reason your Fraternity should, with the fear of God, take care accordingly to learn accurately what she asserts. And if you find that it is as the aforesaid women says, arrange for whatever has been wrongly taken from her to be restored, without any loss or delay. For it is very wrong to keep the property of others contrary to Church policy."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 263.

Responsibilities

2011-07-29T21:53:00.003+02:00

Letter 3,42 - to Felix, bishop of Siponto. june 593

"We expect your Fraternity to convert some people to God by your preaching, and to recall evil-doers to righteousness. We are greatly saddened over this matter, because in the depravity of your grandson Felix, by contrast, your fault has been clearly shown, as it was you who brought up such a person.
We had heard that the above-mentioned Felix deceived and seduced the daughter of our deacon, Evangelus. If this is true, although he should be punished with a heavy penalty, according to law, yet we alleviate the harshness of the law to some extent, seeing that it should be settled in the following way. That is, he should either marry the girl he defiled or else, if he thinks he must refuse, he should certainly receive quite severe corporal punishment, and should be excommunicated, and shut away in a monastery, where he can pay penance."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 263.

Against Neglect

2011-07-29T12:43:00.004+02:00

Letter 3,41 - to Felix, bishop of Siponto. June 593

"Concern over our interests disturbs us greatly. Accordingly with God's assistance, we must provide the defense of ecclesiastical affairs, in such a way that no loss might result from neglect in these matters.
Therefore your Fraternity, together with Boniface and with Pantaleo also, the bearer of this letter, both notaries of our see, must take care to describe in detail the Church properties which are known to exist at the church of Siponto, each of them individually. Thus when a trustful inspection of the properties has been made, you three should compile an inventory containing the vessels of the churches, as well as their silver usual, and whatever else there is. Nor should your Fraternity try to present any delay or excuse over this."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 262.

Seduction And Punishment

2011-07-29T12:32:00.003+02:00

Letter 3.40 - to Pantaleo, notary. June 593

"Evangelus, deacon of the church of Siponto, has complained to us that his daughter (terrible to relate!) has been seduced by Felix. Concerning this matter, it is necessary for you, supported by the authority of this order, to set out for the city of Siponto, and you will take pains to learn the truth with all care, with the support of the learned men there. And if you find that it is so, he must either accept the woman he has seduced as his wife, providing nuptial provisions, or you will be quick to give him corporal punishment in the monastery, and deprive him of communion, placing him in a monastery where he may carry out his penance, so that he has no license to leave that place in any way, unless perhaps you should allow it."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 262.

Care For A Soul

2011-07-28T22:05:00.003+02:00

Letter 3,39 - to Peter, sub-deacon of Campania. June 593

"Furthermore, since the defender Felix is said to own a female slave called Catella, who is seeking the robe of a religious life with many tears and most ardent desire, although her aforesaid master does not allow her to be converted, we therefore want your Experience to go and see the aforesaid Felix and to carefully examine the mind of the same slave-girl, and send her over here with some responsible people, to be placed in a convent, with God's help. But do this in such a way that the soul of the aforesaid slave-girl does not sustain any loss in her desire though your sluggish action."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 261.

Careful Investigation

2011-07-28T21:59:00.005+02:00

Letter 3,38 - to all the bishops of Corinth. May 593

"But since we do not allow those comments to remain not discussed, we have directed a deacon of our see to investigate them. For the nature of the wrongdoing reported to us strongly compels us not to cover up at all what we have heard. Especially when you indicated that the accusers and the accused have come to terms, we have to examine this more carefully, in case their agreement has perhaps been bought. And if it is established (Heaven forbid!) that is resulted not from love but from a payment, this must be punished with a greater correction. For we hasten to remove preceding evils, and we for no reason dismiss a fault recently committed, without punishment."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 260.

Justice Must Be

2011-07-28T21:45:00.004+02:00

Letter 3,37 - to Libertinus, praetor of Sicily. May 593

"But he [the Jew Nasas] is said to have both purchased Christian slaves, and allotted them to his own service and advantage. While he ought therefore to have been punished most severely for such great crimes, the glorious Justin, besmeared with the balm of avarice, as we have been informed, putt off punishing this injury to God.
But let your Glory inquire into all of this with a strict examination, and if you find that there is proof of this sort of crime, you must quickly inflict on this same wicked Jew so strict a corporal punishment, that you may obtain the grace of our God for yourself in this case.
Thus, by these examples you may show yourself to be worthy of imitation by future generations, for the reward you receive. But give their freedom of any of those Christian slaves clearly bought by him, as the law requires, without any ambiguity, so that the Christian religion is not polluted (Heaven forbid!) in subjection to Jews, Therefore correct everything so very carefully and hastily that we may not only give thanks to you for this discipline, but also provide a proof of your goodness wherever it should be necessary."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 260.

A Fair Trial

2011-07-05T21:46:00.004+02:00

Letter 3,36 - to Sabinus, defender of Sardinia. May 593

"Furthermore, since some wrongdoings have been reported to us concerning the person of the priest Epiphanius, it is necessary that you examine all of these quite diligently. Hurry also to bring here either the women with whom he is said to have erred, or others whom you feel know something about this same case, so that the truth can be clearly revealed for an ecclesiastical sentence.
But you will take care to carry out all of this so efficiently for both parties that no guilt over neglect applies to you, knowing as we do that it spells danger for you in every way, if this command of ours should be delayed in any way."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 259.

A New Bishop

2011-07-02T18:33:00.003+02:00

Letter 3,35 - to Peter, sub-deacon of Campania. May 593

"Thus their own bishop van, with God's authority, be consecrated for that church. For we do not allow it to be without its own bishop any longer. If perhaps they try to put off your recommendation in any way, then exercise ecclesiastical vigor against them. For whoever will not concur in this desire will provide evidence of his own perverseness.
But see that a hundred gold coins and one orphaned young boy of his choice are given to our aforesaid brother and fellow-bishop, Paul in return for his hard work over the same church.
Advise those, however, who will come here on behalf of all, for the election of a bishop, to bring with them all the vestments of the bishop mentioned above, and whatever silver they shall anticipate as necessary, so that the bishop who has been consecrated can have it for his own use. However, be quick to implement all of these things vigorously and strictly, and send over here with all speed those elected from your clergy, as we have said. Thus, as various noblemen from the city of Naples are present here, we can both discuss together with them and deliberate about the bishop's ordination, with the assistance of the Lord."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 258.

Reconciliation

2011-06-23T22:51:00.001+02:00

Letter 3,34 - to Peter, sub-deacon of Campania. April 593

"For that reason we instruct your Experience to meet them with a peaceful exhortation, so that if by chance there are any reasons for hatred, you may settle them, reconciling them with affection that is mutual and pleasing to God, so that the bishop contributes what is proper for his sons, and they show what is due to a father."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 258.

Peter's Relic

2011-06-23T22:35:00.004+02:00

Letter 3,33 - to Dynamius, patrician of Gaul. April 593

"For indeed it is proper for the glorious people of this world, who think about eternal glory, to act in this way, so that, because they prevail temporally, they may acquire a reward for themselves which is not temporal.
Accordingly, offering due words of greeting, we pray our almighty Lord to both fill your life with good things at present, ant to extend them as to the sublime joys of eternity. For we have received through our son Hilary from the aforesaid returns of our Church four hundred Gallic gold coins.
But we have sent over a sacred object of Saint Peter the apostle, a very small cross, into which relics have been inserted from Peter's chains, which had in fact bound him in his day, but should forever free your neck from sin."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 257.

Against False Charges

2011-06-23T22:26:00.003+02:00

Letter 3,32 - to Honoratus, archdeacon of the church of Salona. April 593

"We therefore consider it necessary to confirm once again with these present words those same orders, coming as much from our predecessor as from us, which we sent there some time ago for your absolution, as has been stated. Wherefore absolving you more fully from all charges brought against you, we want you to remain in the rank of your order without any altercation, so that an inquiry moved against you by the aforesaid man [i.e. his opponent, his late bishop Natalis] may not prejudice you at all.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 256.

Support And Care

2011-06-22T20:58:00.002+02:00

Letter 3,31 - to Romanus, patrician and exarch of Italy. April 593.

"Therefore we pay with paternal affection the debt of a greeting which we owe, and we request that, whether the aforesaid Constantius shall have been consecrated bishop or not, your Excellency may agree to provide him with your support where it is necessary, with the favor of justice.
Thus this service may both exalt you here among your enemies, and for your future life may commend you before God, in anticipation. For he is very special to me and we have long shared a great friendship. And those whom you recognize as friends, you ought to considers as yours particularly."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 256.

Carefully Follow The Rules

2011-06-21T21:17:00.006+02:00

Letter 3,30 - to John, sub-deacon. April 593

"With the death, therefore, of Laurence, bishop of the church of Milan, the clergy gave notice in their report to us that they had agreed unanimously in the election of our son Constantius, their deacon. But since the same report was not signed, to prevent us from overlooking anything that concerns security, it is therefore necessary for you to set out for Genoa, supported by the authority of this command. And because many of the inhabitants of Milan have settled there, forced by barbaric savagery, you should call them together and carefully consider their wishes.
And if no discord keeps them from agreement over the election, once you find that the wishes and consensus of all stay firm concerning our son, the above-mentioned Constantius, then you can have him consecrated by the local bishops, as the ancient custom demands, with the assent of our authority and the Lord's solace.
Thus with preservation of this sort of custom, the apostolic see may both retain its proper strength and not diminish its own right by allowing others to share them.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 255.

To Long For The Eternal City

2011-06-16T22:51:00.005+02:00

Letter 3,29 - to the priests, deacons and clergy of the church of Milan. April 593

"And so I honor all of you who are chosen with my prayer that almighty God, who is always prescient of out future acts, may provide you with such a bishop in whose eloquence and morality you can find a pasture for divine exhortation. In his mind let humility shine forth with rectitude, and severity with piety, a man who may show you a path of life not only by his eloquence but also by his way of life, so that by his example your Beloved selves may learn to long for the pleasures of the eternal city.
And so, most beloved sons, be reminded of the severity of our office. In this case of electing a bishop, we persuade each of you not to look for his own profit, neglecting the common good, in case if someone seeks his personal advantage, he may be deceived by a frivolous judgement, because his mind, bound by greed, does not examine the person he should prefer with a free judgement.
So considering what is expedient for all, show the purest obedience always and in all things to him whom divine grave has placed in charge of you. For a bishop once elected ought not to be judged by you any further. But he should be judged with as much subtlety now as afterwards he should not be judged at all. Commit yourselves with all your mind to the consecrated bishop, with God's authority, and thereby serve the almighty Lord, who has placed this man over you."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 254.

Protection And Moderation

2011-06-15T22:15:00.003+02:00

Letter 3,28 - to George, praetorian prefect through Italy. April 593

"Whenever piety is employed with compassion and consideration, it both helps its author here and brings him a reward on the day of retribution. And this is so, and since I greatly admire your Excellency, I suggest reasons for a reward to you.
Thus the magnificent Armenius, son of that once most illustrious gentleman, Aptonius, due to his real indigence, forced me to write to you on his behalf. Since he has been bereaved of both parents, as you know, he expects the protection and moderation of your Eminence. So let your Piety show pious consideration, as has been your custom, by providing him with a position and public duties, as far as you see it as useful, whereby he may be maintained with daily payments."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 253.

2011-06-14T20:50:00.002+02:00

Letter 3,27 - to Martinianus, abbot of Palermo, and to Benenatus, notary and administrator of the district of Palermo. April 594

"If we put off pursuing and punishing those matters about which God is bitterly offended, we certainly provoke the patience of his divinity to anger. For many evil facts about certain people living in the city of Palermo have reached our ears, and as they deserve greater chastisement, they should neither be believed rashly nor searched for idly. For which reason, we ordered Victor, out brother and fellow-bishop, that if they were true he should have pursued and punished them.
Now therefore Boniface, a most distinguished gentleman and bearer of this letter, has come to us here and complains that he has both been deprived of the sacred Mass for no reason, and has suffered other serious injustices, all due to the aforesaid bishop. Since therefore nobody should be condemned without a trail, we have written to our same brother and fellow-bishop that if a person is found who can say these same things about the same man, he ought to direct that person to our inquiry.
And so we thought that you should necessarily be exhorted by the page of this command, so that, paying attention to nobody's personality, but having the fear of God before your eyes, in all fairness you should inquire with a careful investigation whether anything was said about him in your presence, remembering the judgment to come."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 252.

Consensus

2011-06-11T22:05:00.005+02:00

Letter 3,26 - to Magnus, priest fo the church of Milan. March 593

"So warn your clerics and people not to disagree at all in their election of a bishop, but with total consensus let them elect from themselves such a bishop for consecration whose acts are praiseworthy, and whose character may be welcome to God and to men, in case, if it were done differently, with divided loyalties (Heaven forbid!), a loss might result for Church income."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 252.

A Reprimande

2011-06-11T21:17:00.003+02:00

Letter 3,25 - to all the inhabitants of Rimini. March 593

"My dearly beloved sons, if you are willing to pay more careful attention to your sin, you should purge yourselves with constant prayers before God, because you took on your bishop not with devoted minds, nor as his sons.
The lack of peace and annoyances that you inflicted on him have brought him to this extreme, an attack of bodily illness. And yet we learnt nothing about him from those letters that were written to us, but we simply saw that he was debilitated, and for that reason we took care to keep him here."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 251.

2011-06-09T21:20:00.004+02:00

Letter 3,24 - to Bishop Leontius. March 593

"We are keeping our brother and fellow-bishop Castor here, because of his body's ill health. And because he is not well enough now to return to his church, for that reason, in his absence, we have decided that the task of that church's visitation should be delegated to your Fraternity.
We advise your Charity to carry out all of its services so efficiently that through your presence, the church does not feel that its own priest is absent.
And whatever you think should be consecrated for the advantage of the same church, you will have free scope in every way, relying on our permission."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 251.

The Abbot Of Saint Martin's

2011-06-09T21:04:00.004+02:00

Letter 3,23 - to Peter, sub-deacon of Campania. March 593

"We therefore order your Experience with the the power of this authority to remove the above-mentioned Secundinus from the office of abbot, and to see that Theodosius, whose community has itself asked for him to be ordained, is appointed abbot in the monastery of Saint Martin, with due solemnity, through him whom it concerns.
Thus in caring for a community subject to him, with the help of God, he may be vigilant with provident concern. But defend the possessions and gardens of this same monastery with Church protection, as fat as is reasonably allowed."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 251.

Home Sweet Home

2011-06-08T21:24:00.004+02:00

I was in Rome lately, and of course visited "home" on the Caelius. Just two pictures: a detail of the Chapel of Silvia in Saint Andrew and the high-altar in the Gregorio Magno.

A Fair Election Of A Bishop

2011-05-23T20:04:00.004+02:00

Letter 3,22 - to Antoninus, sub-deacon in charge of the patrimony in Dalmatia. March 593

"In fact let it be your concern before all else, that in this election the offer of bribes does not intervene in any way, and that the candidatures are not strengthened by any patronage of any persons at all. For if someone has been elected of certain people, once he has been consecrated, he is forced to obey their wishes under the pressure of fear, and it comes about that the property of that church is diminished, and the ecclesiastical order is not preserved.
And so they ought to elect such a person, with you watching over them, as is not a slave to anyone's inconsistent wish, but can be found worthy of such a rank, distinguished in his life and morality.
As for the property and decoration of that same church, make sure that a faithful inventory of the property is written down in your presence. And so that nothing could be lost from this same property, advise the Deacon Respectus, and the first notary, Stephen, to keep a total guard of the same property, warning them that if anything should be removed from them through negligence, they will make it up from their own property."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 249.

Debts and Piety

2011-05-22T18:07:00.003+02:00

Letter 3,21 - to Paschalis, Domitian and Castor, son of Urbicus, defender from Tivoli. February 593

"Its part of my duty to give advice to those who have lost their parents, so that I can give some help in those miseries of theirs that are justly the responsibility of the Church, thereby alleviating them.
Therefore, after a more precise calculation, we are certain that your father Urbicus, who was once a defender of the Sabine patrimony and of Carsoli, that had been entrusted to his care, has died in debt for quite a large sum.
Although all of his property was liable to the Church for this,yet it could not suffice to pay for what he has consumed.
Even so, with a regard to piety, we allow you to have and possess the property of that same father of yours, and we allow it to stand to your undoubted advantage in the future (..)."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 249.

Care Of Souls

2011-05-04T17:10:00.003+02:00

Letter 3,20 - to Gratiosus, bishop of Mentana. January 593

"We have therefore provided that the care and control of the church of Saint Anthelm (established in the territory of Cures in Samnium) should be entrusted to your Fraternity. It is necessary for this church to be added to yours and to be united with it, so that yo can rightly act as priest of both churches, with God's help. Whatever you decide to arrange concerning its patrimony or the ordination or promotion of its clergy, with vigilant and canonical care, as its own special bishop, you will have a free license from our permission in this letter.
Wherefore, dearest brother, truly mindful of the Lord's commandments, take care in your governance of the people entrusted in you and in winning over their souls, that when placed before the tribunal of the eternal judge, you may exhibit to our same redeemer, in whom you may rejoice, the fruit of good service, that which pertains your reward."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 248.

Dedication Of A Church

2011-05-03T20:42:00.003+02:00

Letter 3,19 - to Peter sub-deacon of Campania. january 593

"Our heart is being pricked by the holy inspiration of divinity to dedicate, with reverence of our Catholic religion, places which were once condemned for detestable sins. Since therefore we desire to consecrate, in honor of Saint Severinus, a church located next to the Merulan house in the third region, long occupied by the Arian superstition, would your Experience please send over the relics of Saint Severinus (..)."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 248.

A Peculiar Gift

2011-05-03T20:34:00.005+02:00

Letter 3,18 - to Theodore, his counselor. January 593

"Those really exerting themselves over ecclesiastical services deserve the pleasure of ecclesiastical remuneration, so that those who of their own volition subject themselves to the voluntary hardships of their obedience, deserve to be repaid in our dispensations.
And so, since we have discovered that you, Theodore, a most eloquent man and our counselor, have been bankrupted due to your administration of the slaves, for that reason we instruct that a slave-boy called Acosimus, a Sicilian by birth, be given and handed over to your legal control."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 248.

Means To A Goal

2011-05-01T21:00:00.002+02:00

Letter 3,17 - to Sub-deacon Gratiosus. January 593

"For those choosing a religious vocation we should take care, with suitable consideration, that the occurrence of some hardship neither makes them inactive, nor undermines the strength (Heaven forbid!) of their holy way of life. For this reason we order with the present authority that you should hand over the following property to the Abbess Flora, with the right of possession for her indubitable ownership. The house is located in this city in the fourth region, next to a place called the 'White Hens', the property of the Holy Church of Rome, over which we preside with God's authority, and in which a patrician lady, Campana, is known to have once lived. Hand it over with the garden also and the lodgings, which a doorway encloses within the same house.
Thus with Christ's help, the abbess can construct a convent in this house, where she can live with her community (..)."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 247.

Help To Free

2011-04-28T21:22:00.002+02:00

Letter 3,16 - to Peter, bishop of Barcae. December 592

"We indicate to you with the present letter that the bearer of it, the priest Valerian, has arrived in those parts to ransom prisoners-of-war. You should give him your support in every way all the more earnestly, as you realize that he has endured the effort of a lengthy journey with the purpose of a deal."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 247.

Vacancy of the Bishopric

2011-04-25T21:38:00.004+02:00

Letter 3,15 - to Scholasticus, governor of Campania. December 592

"And for that reason we greet you, and exhort your Greatness to convoke the leaders and people of the city, to think about the election of another man, who could be worthy of promotion to the bishopric, with the comfort of Christ. Make this decree solemnly and send it over to this city, and let the ordination take place there finally, with the help of Christ.
But if however you do not find a suitable person about whom you can agree, at least select three upright and wise men, and send them to this city on behalf of the general community, ensuring that all the people agree in the choice of these men. Perhaps coming here, preserved by God's pity, they will find a suitable person to be consecrated as your bishop, without any blame."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 246.

Congratulations

2011-04-25T13:13:00.003+02:00

Letter 3,14 - to the clergy, senate and people living at Terracina. November 592

"The petition that you presented has revealed the wishes that your Beloved had intimated to us, and we have highly applauded your decision. For we pray that Angellus, our brother and fellow-bishop, approved already for his merits, is incardinated as your bishop. And since an outcome should not be denied to your welcome and praiseworthy petition, and since it should not be held up with a delay, we have decided that Angellus should be incardinated as bishop of your church, by our direct order, in accordance with your desires and request.
Concerning this, I warn your Beloved with a fatherly exhortation that you should be obedient to him in all things."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 246.

On Your Appointment

2011-04-25T12:58:00.005+02:00

Letter 3,13 -to Agnellus, bishop from Fundi, now incardinated in the church of Terracina. November 592

"The joint report of the clergy and people of Terracina gives us very great pleasure for this reason that it testifies to good things concerning your Fraternity. And since, with their Bishop Peter dead, they ask for you to be appointed as their cardinal priest, we foresee that it is necessary for their requests to be complied with, so that they may rejoice in having obtained what they demand, and we may seem to have yielded what is expedient.
Since on account of the disaster of hostilities, nobody has the freedom of living either in your city of your church, we have appointed you accordingly by our authority as cardinal priest of the church of Terracina.
We advise you that you ought to be worried about the souls of the people staying there, with God's protection, so that the treachery of a cunning and perverted enemy cannot harm the flock entrusted to you with any of his tricks.
Rather, let the flock encompassed by the protection of your care be delighted to have deserved the protection of a worthy pastor. Let examples of good living show forth for your people in your acts and let avarice have no power over you."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 245.

Persons And Paperwork

2011-04-18T18:37:00.004+02:00

Letter 3,12 - to Maximian, bishop of Syracuse. November 592

"Some time ago indeed I had written to your Fraternity saying that you ought to send over to the city of Rome those who had said anything against Gregory, bishop of Agrigento. We advise now with this present letter that it ought to be done even more pressingly.
Therefore hurry to transmit with all speed the persons themselves and the rest of the documents, that is the accounts and petitions that were handed over. We absolutely do not allow you to ask for any delay or excuse, so that when they have been sent over to the city of Rome, as we said, with all speed, we may know what we ought to determine about his person with more success, with God's help."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 244.

A Short Message

2011-04-16T12:07:00.001+02:00

Letter 3,11 - to the clergy, senate and people living at Albano. October 592.

"We have shown no slowness in fulfilling desires of which we approve. We have already consecrated our brother and fellow-bishop Homobonus, as your bishop."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 244.

Spiritual Coercion

2011-04-14T22:07:00.001+02:00

Letter 3,10 - to Sabinus, our sub-deacon. October 592

"(I)n the time of Justinian of pious memory, there was some violation at the sacred synod of Chalcedon, which we venerate with all our faith and all our devotion. And as we have received four synods of the holy, universal Church, just as we have received the four books of the Holy Gospel. But concerning the persons about whom something has been done after the end of the synod, this was brought forward in the time of the same Justinian of pious memory, but in such a way that neither was the faith in anyone violated, nor was anything done about the same persons other than had been decided at the same holy synod at Chalcedon. However, we anathematize anyone who presumes to reduce anything from the definition of faith that was revealed at the same synod, or to alter its sense as if by correcting it. But we defend it as if revealed at that synod for all time.
So it is proper for you, most beloved son, to return to the unity of the Holy Church, so that you can conclude your final years in peace, and so that the malignant spirit, which cannot prevail against you in other woks, may not discover from this case a means by which to oppose you, on the day of your departure to the gateway to the heavenly Kingdom."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 244.

Unjust Excile

2011-04-14T21:54:00.004+02:00

Letter 3,9 - to his sub-deacon, Antoninus. October 592

"The news has reached us that Florentius, bishop of the city of Epidaurus, after his goods had first been removed, has been condemned for some unproved charges, without a sacerdotal council. Since he ought not to endure a canonical punishment, as in his condemnation a canonical opinion was put forward, we instruct your Experience to threaten Natalis, our brother and fellow-bishop, so that he has the aforesaid man brought back from the same exile in which he is said to be immured at present."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 243.

An Episcopal Debate

2011-03-28T21:51:00.003+02:00

Letter 3,8 - to Natalis, archbishop of Salona, that his bishop should not be deposed. October 592

"Since therefore a unanimous opinion of priests cannot demote anyone from the rank of bishop, except for just reasons, we exhort your Fraternity to bring about the restoration of the aforesaid man from the same exile to which he was forced, and to inquire into his case with an episcopal debate. And if he is convicted by canonical proof over these matters for which he has been accused, then he should be inflicted without doubt with canonical punishment. But if it is found by a synodical inquiry other than was thought about him, it is necessary both that his accusers should dread the strictness of the just law, and that the judgement of their innocence should be preserved undiminished for those who have been accused."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 242.

No Communion

2011-03-28T21:22:00.003+02:00

Letter 3,7 - to John, bishop of Larissa. October 592

"Nevertheless, making a more humane decision, and preserving for the time being the sacrament of communion for you, we have decreed that from this point on your Fraternity and your church should abstain from all power of your former jurisdiction. Yet following the writings of my predecessor, if any case involving faith or crime or fraud should rise against the aforesaid Hadrian, our fellow priest, whether through those who are or were our respondents in the royal city, in the event of a trivial inquiry being examined, or it is brought here to the apostolic see, in the event that is is a serious one, let it be decided according to the sentence of our audience.
But if, contrary to what we have established, you should attempt to come at any time at all, with whatever excuse or deception, we have decreed that you be deprived of Holy Communion and you do not receive it, except in the final hours of your life, unless with the concession of an order of the Bishop of Rome. For with a prescription consonant with the holy fathers, we considered that one how does not know how to obey the holy canons should be unworthy to administer of take communion at holy altars."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 240.

Doing Justice

2011-03-19T12:00:00.003+01:00

Letter 3,6 - to John, bishop op Prima Justiniana. October 592

"But as for what concerns us at present, when the decrees of your aforementioned sentence have first been made null and void, we decree by the authority of Saint Peter, the prince of the apostles, that you be deprived of Holy Communion for a period of thirty days, and that you must pray to our almighty God with the greatest amount of penitence and tears for pardon for such great sinfulness.
But if we should learn that you have been too slow to carry out this sentence of ours, realize that not only the injustice of your Fraternity, but your insolence also must then be punished more severely, with the help of our Lord.
But we order that Hadrian, mentioned above, our brother and fellow-bishop, condemned through your sentence, as we have said, with no support at all from the Church canons or the laws, be restored to his proper place and rank, with Christ at his side.
Thus your Fraternity's sentence, proposed contrary to the path of justice, may not do him any harm, and the love you need to placate the indignation of our future Judge may not remain impure"

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 239.

Good, Dust And Ashes

2011-03-11T15:08:00.003+01:00

Letter 3,4 - to Boniface, bishop of Reggio. September 592

"I have learnt from certain persons coming to Rome, that your Fraternity is very active in works of charity, and I thanked almighty God, because in accordance with the words of that outstanding preacher, ' we now live, if you stand form in the Lord' .
But I must admit that my mind was greatly troubled by the fact that you ourself have announced these same works to many others.
From this fact i have gathered that your object must have been to please not the eyes of God, but the judgment of man.
Wherefore, my dear brother, when your actions are good outwardly, you must guard those within with great care, to prevent the desire of pleasing men from creeping in, and to prevent all the labor of your good deeds from becoming to nothing.
For who are we, who seek to be pleased by men? What are we other than dust and ashes?"

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 237.

A Relic

2011-03-09T17:32:00.003+01:00

Letter 3,3 - to Abbot John. September 592

"But I heard about the tunic of Saint John with extreme gratitude, as you had taken the trouble to inform me. But let your Beloved be keen to send the tunic itself over to me, or even better, send the same bishop who has it along with his clergy, so that we can carry out a blessing of the tunic, and receive a benefit from the same bishop and clergy."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 236.

Firm In Truth

2011-03-08T17:32:00.004+01:00

Letter 3,2 - to Bishop Paul. September 592

"Although our knowledge of the injury suffered by you has caused us great unhappiness, yet we have some reason for consolation. For we have learnt that your Glory was involved in this affair because of what you endured for the sake of fairness and justice, as a report sent to us had made clear.
Therefore, so that it might be applied to the greater glory of your Fraternity, this matter ought neither to break down your constancy, nor turn you aside from the way of truth. For there is greater reward among priests in standing firm in the path of truth even after injuries."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 236.

Monstrous Crime

2011-03-08T17:05:00.004+01:00

Letter 3,1 - to Peter, sub-deacon of Campania. September 592

"We have therefore sent our sub-deacon Epiphanius there [to the Castle of Lucullus], so that he can join the aforesaid governor in investigating who instigated the sedition, and who took part in it, and can find them out and requite them with a worthy punishment.
And so your Experience must find quick relief in this case, with all your courage, so that the truth can be found out, and so that punishments can proceed against the culprits. Since therefore they say that slaves of the glorious Clementina took part in this same crime, and made statements to stir up the sedition, if that is so, threaten them with submission to severe punishment. Do not let your severity be too lenient towards any person of that woman, because they need to be chastised all the more fully as being of that woman, who have committed a crime due to nothing but arrogance.
But you must also inquire into the following with a careful examination, as to whether the aforesaid woman participated in such a monstrous crime, or if it was perpetrated with her knowledge, so that all might learn from our defense, how dangerous it is to assault a priest not only with one's hands but with words also."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 235.

Serious Matters And A Touch Of Irony

2011-02-22T16:37:00.001+01:00

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.

Concerning A Diploma

2011-02-14T21:09:00.005+01:00

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.

Heavenly And Human Scourge

2011-02-13T15:05:00.000+01:00

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.

Obedience And Safety

2011-02-06T11:53:00.003+01:00

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.

The Garden Of Felicianus

2011-02-04T21:26:00.004+01:00

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.