Letter 2,19 - to Sub-deacon Antonius. March 592.
"And so once Honoratus has been reappointed archdeacon, the above mentioned bishop [Natalis], compelled by you, should send a person to us with instructions, who with allegations of proof could show me that his intention is or was just.
But we also order the same archdeacon to come to us, so that we can decide whichever is just, whichever pleases almighty God, once we know the assertions of each party. For we do not defend anyone because of personal affection, but preserve the rule of justice, with God's authority, disregarding our acceptance of any individual.
You will however take care to entrust Malchus, our brother and fellow-bishop, to a person providing surety, so that he can come to us as quickly as possible, and putting aside all delay and postponement, can give and account of his actions and then return home with full security."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 204 .
Showing posts with label archdeacon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label archdeacon. Show all posts
Sunday, 12 December 2010
Thursday, 9 December 2010
An Explanatory Letter
Letter 2,18 - to all the bishops appointed in Dalmatia. March 592.
"We have already warned him [bishop Natalis] with so many letters, but so far he has remained persistently obstinate. Therefore we have taken care with another letter directed to him, to advise him through the bearer of this letter to replace his Archdeacon Honoratus in his former position, as soon as the bearer of this letter joins him.
If his heart is still obstinate, perhaps, and he arrogantly puts off recalling him to the same rank, because of his repeated displays of arrogance, we have ordered him to be deprived of the use of the pallium, which was conceded to him by his see. If however even after losing the pallium, he still perseveres with the same obstinacy, we have ordered that he be removed from participation also in the body and blood of our Lord.
For it is fair that he should feel us harsh in our justice, given that he has despised us when complaint toward him from affection. We therefore do not even now deviate from the path of whose fault was not at all clear to us, has been restored to his proper position, which the above-mentioned bishop has despised.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 203.
"We have already warned him [bishop Natalis] with so many letters, but so far he has remained persistently obstinate. Therefore we have taken care with another letter directed to him, to advise him through the bearer of this letter to replace his Archdeacon Honoratus in his former position, as soon as the bearer of this letter joins him.
If his heart is still obstinate, perhaps, and he arrogantly puts off recalling him to the same rank, because of his repeated displays of arrogance, we have ordered him to be deprived of the use of the pallium, which was conceded to him by his see. If however even after losing the pallium, he still perseveres with the same obstinacy, we have ordered that he be removed from participation also in the body and blood of our Lord.
For it is fair that he should feel us harsh in our justice, given that he has despised us when complaint toward him from affection. We therefore do not even now deviate from the path of whose fault was not at all clear to us, has been restored to his proper position, which the above-mentioned bishop has despised.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 203.
Tuesday, 7 December 2010
Polite But Angree
Letter 2,17 - to natalis, bishop of Salona. March 592.
I have learnt from many people coming from your city, dearest brother, that you have abandoned your pastoral care and are busy with nothing except for banquets.
But I would not believe what I heard, without the proofs that your actions provide.
For it has been proved that you in no way study the holy text, in no way pay attention to preaching, but rather ignore even the very custom of the ecclesiastical order, because you do not know how to show reverence to those placed over you.
For you were prohibited by a letter from my predecessor, of holy memory, from nurturing in your heart the pain of such a long resentment against your archdeacon, Honoratus, and you were strongly forbidden by me also from doing this. For you both neglected the commandments of God and despised what we wrote, trying to degrade the aforesaid Archdeacon Honoratus, under the clever pretext of promoting him to a higher rank. Thereby it has turned out that, with his removal from the position of archdeacon, you invited someone else who could comply with your way of life, when the aforesaid man displeased you in no way, except that he prohibited you from giving sacred vessels and garments to your parents.
But I know, and my predecessor of holy memory then, wanted to examine this case with a meticulous investigation. But you, conscious of what you have done, have putt off sending a person with instructions for the trail. Therefore let you Fraternity recover from the error of your wrongdoing, especially after so many repeated warnings, and as soon as you receive my letter, replace the aforesaid Honoratus in his office.
But if by change you put it off, know that your use of the pallium, granted to you by this see, is removed from you.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 201.
I have learnt from many people coming from your city, dearest brother, that you have abandoned your pastoral care and are busy with nothing except for banquets.
But I would not believe what I heard, without the proofs that your actions provide.
For it has been proved that you in no way study the holy text, in no way pay attention to preaching, but rather ignore even the very custom of the ecclesiastical order, because you do not know how to show reverence to those placed over you.
For you were prohibited by a letter from my predecessor, of holy memory, from nurturing in your heart the pain of such a long resentment against your archdeacon, Honoratus, and you were strongly forbidden by me also from doing this. For you both neglected the commandments of God and despised what we wrote, trying to degrade the aforesaid Archdeacon Honoratus, under the clever pretext of promoting him to a higher rank. Thereby it has turned out that, with his removal from the position of archdeacon, you invited someone else who could comply with your way of life, when the aforesaid man displeased you in no way, except that he prohibited you from giving sacred vessels and garments to your parents.
But I know, and my predecessor of holy memory then, wanted to examine this case with a meticulous investigation. But you, conscious of what you have done, have putt off sending a person with instructions for the trail. Therefore let you Fraternity recover from the error of your wrongdoing, especially after so many repeated warnings, and as soon as you receive my letter, replace the aforesaid Honoratus in his office.
But if by change you put it off, know that your use of the pallium, granted to you by this see, is removed from you.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 201.
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