The True faith

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

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.

Spiritual Coercion

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.

The Communion of Faith

Letter 1,16 - to Severus, bishop of Aquileia. January 591.

"(For) not to know the truth involves less of an aberration than not to remain in the same truth once it is known, and what is committed by one who has gone astray is one thing, and what is perpetrated through knowledge is another. And indeed, if we had rejoiced over how far you had been incorporated, long ago, into the unity of the Church, we are most upset that you are now so abundantly disassociated from Catholic society.
For this reason, as soon as the bearer of this letter arrives, following the command of the most Christian and serene Lordship of all, we wish you to come to the tomb of Saint Peter the apostle with your followers, so that with God's support, in a special synod,a decision may be made about that doubt which is prevalent among you all."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 131.

On Concord

Below you can read a fragment from the very first letter from Gregory the Great. One would expect something special. But no, the huge collection of (kept) letters, almost begins at random. It seems business as usual.

Letter 1,1 - to all the Bishops in Sicily. September 590

"(Y)ou ought to settle with moderation (...) all that concerns the interest of the province itself, and of its churches, whether to lighten the burden of the poor and oppressed, or to admonish all men and those whose faults happen to have been proved.

Let hatred, the source of wrongdoing, be far removed from this synod [i.e. a planned synod of the bishops of Sicily], and let mutual envy and all too detestable discord of minds, fade away within you. Let concord, pleasing to God, and love recognize you as his priests. Therefore carry out all of these things with that maturity and tranquility, so that the synod can most worthily be called episcopal."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 119.