Quote from Letter 6,14 to Count Narses. September 595
(Therefore,) when Adam ate of the forbidden tree, we know that he did not die in the body, because after this he fathered children and lived on for many years. If then he did not die in the soul, although it is wicked to say so, He whom foretold that Adam would die on the day that he sinned, was lying.
But one should know that death takes place in two ways, either through the loss of life, or in quality of life.
And so, in this way Adam's soul is said to have died by eating what was forbidden, not through loss of life, but in quality of life, so that he who was created to live happily in joy, should after this live in pain.
(Therefore,) when Adam ate of the forbidden tree, we know that he did not die in the body, because after this he fathered children and lived on for many years. If then he did not die in the soul, although it is wicked to say so, He whom foretold that Adam would die on the day that he sinned, was lying.
But one should know that death takes place in two ways, either through the loss of life, or in quality of life.
And so, in this way Adam's soul is said to have died by eating what was forbidden, not through loss of life, but in quality of life, so that he who was created to live happily in joy, should after this live in pain.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 412
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