Protection And Moderation

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.

Protection, 1/3

Letter 1,60 - to Januarius, archbishop from Cagliari in Sardinia. July 591.

"If our Lord himself, by witness of Holy Scripture, declares he is the husband of widows and father of orphans, then we also, as members of his body, ought to strive to imitate his head, with the greatest effort of our will, and preserving justice, we must defend orphans and widows."


Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 179.