POPE SAINT GREGORY THE GREAT
REGISTER OF HIS EPISTLES BOOK VIII
Book
I Book II Book III Book IV Book V Book VI Book VII Book VIII Book IX Book X
EPISTLE I:
TO PETER, BISHOP
Gregory to Peter, Bishop of Corsica[1].
On receiving the letters of your Fraternity we returned great thanks to Almighty God, that you had been so good as to refresh us with
the news of the gathering in of many souls. And accordingly let your Fraternity strive
anxiously to bring to perfection, with the help of the Lord, the work which you have
begun. And with regard to those who have once been faithful, but from negligence or under
constraint have returned to the worship of idols, make haste to bring them back to the
faith, imposing on them a penance of a few days, that they may bewail their guilt, and
keep to that to which they return, God helping them, the more firmly as they shall have
perfectly deplored that from which they now depart; and with regard to those who have not
yet been baptized, let thy Fraternity make haste, by admonishing, by beseeching, by
alarming them about the coming judgment, and also by giving reasons why they should not
worship stocks and stones, to gather them in to Almighty God; that so, at His advent, when
the strict day of judgment comes, thy Holiness may be found in the number of the Saints.
For what more profitable work or more lofty canst thou be engaged in than taking thought
for the quickening and gathering together of souls and bringing in immortal gain to thy
Lord, Who has given to thee the post of preaching?
2 Further, we send thy Fraternity fifty solidi
for procuring vestments for those who are to be baptized; and we have also caused to be
given to the presbyter of the Church situated in Mount Negeugnus[2] the possession which
thy Fraternity has asked for, so that its value may be deducted from the money that he had
been accustomed to receive.
3 Further, your Fraternity has asked to be
allowed to make for yourself an episcopal residence in the church that is not far from the
same mountain; which proposal I most gladly accede to, since the nearer you are, the more
will you be able to do good to the souls that are there.
4 In consideration of your Holiness's
intercessions for him we have made the bearer of these presents an acolyte, and have sent
him back to attend upon you, in order that, if he should be of still more service in
winning souls, he may be in a position to be still further advanced.
EPISTLE II: TO
ANASTASIUS, BISHOP OF ANTIOCH.
Gregory to Anastasius, Patriarch of Antioch.
I have received the letters of your most
sweet Blessedness, which flowed with tears for words. For I saw in them a cloud flying
aloft as clouds do; but, though it carried with it a darkness of sorrow, I could not
easily discover at its commencement whence it came or whither it was going, since by
reason of the darkness I speak of I did not fully understand its origin. Yet it becomes
you, most holy ones, ever to recall to mind what the preacher to the Gentiles says; In the
last times perilous times shall be at hand, and there shall be men loving themselves,
covetous, lifted up (1 Tim. iv. 1); and what follows, which it would be a trouble for me
to speak, and which is not necessary for you to hear. Lo, in your holy old age, your
Blessedness labours under many tribulations; but consider in whose seat you sit[3]. Is it
not in his to whom it was said by the voice of the truth, When thou shalt be old, another
shall gird thee and carry thee whether thou wouldest not (Job. xxi. 18)? But in saying
this I recollect that your Holiness even from your youth has toiled under many
adversities. Say then with the good king, I will think again over all my years in the
bitterness of my soul (Isai. xxxviii. 15). For there are many who, as you say in your
letter, make to themselves pastime over our wounds: but we know who said, Ye shall lament
and weep, but the world shall rejoice; and ye shall be sorrowful (Joh. xvi. 20): where
also he forthwith adds, But your sorrow shall be turned into joy, But, since we already
suffer what was foretold, it remains that we should also hope for what was promised. For
as to these of whom you say that they themselves lay on the burdens which they ought to
have lightened, I know that they are those who come in sheep's clothing, and inwardly are
ravening wolves (Match. vii.). But They are so much the more to be endured as they
persecute us not only with a malicious mind, but also in religious guise. And in that they
desire to have to themselves above others what it were not fit that they should have even
with their brethren, we are in no wise disturbed at this, since we trust in Almighty God
that those who desire what belongs to others will be the sooner deprived even of what is
their own. For we know who said, That every one that exalteth himself shall be abased
(Luke xiv. 11). And again it is written, Before a fall the heart is exalted (Prov. xvi.
18).
2 But in these days, as I find, new wars of
heretics are arising, about whom I have before now written to your Blessedness, in such
sort that they attempt to invalidate the prophets, the Gospels, and all the sayings of the
Fathers. But, while the life of your Holiness endures, we trust in the favour of our
Protector that their mouths which have been opened against the solidity of the truth may
be the sooner stopped, inasmuch as, however sharp may be the swords that are employed,
they recoil broken when they strike the rock. Moreover there is this by the great favour
of Almighty God; that among those who are divided from the doctrine of Holy Church there
is no unity, since every kingdom divided against itself shall not stand (Luke xi.). And
holy Church is always more thoroughly equipped in her teaching when assaulted by the
questionings of heretics; so that what was said by the Psalmist concerning God against
heretics is fulfilled, They are divided from the wrath of his countenance, and his heart
hath drawn nigh (Ps. liv. 22[4]). For while they are divided in their wicked error, God
brings His heart near to us, because, being taught by contradictions, we more thoroughly
learn to understand Him.
3 Further, what ills we suffer from the swords
of barbarians, and what from the perversity of judges, I shrink from relating to your
Blessedness, lest I should increase your groaning, which I ought to diminish by
consolation. But in all these things the precepts of our Master comfort me, who says,
These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall
have tribulation (John xvi. 33). For I consider to whom it was said, This is your hour,
and the power of darkness (Luke xxii. 53). If, then, the hour of light will be afterwards,
since it is said to the elect, Ye are the light of the world (Matth. v. 14), and as it is
written, The righteous shall have dominion over them in the morning (Ps. xlviii. 15)[5],
whatever we suffer in the hour of the power of darkness is not to be deplored.
4 Moreover your most sweet Holiness tells me
that you would have wished, if it could have been so, to converse with me without paper
and pen, and grieves that a distance almost as far as the East is from the West lies
between us. But this which I feel I declare is true; that on paper your soul speaks to me
without paper, since in the words of your Holiness charity alone sounds, and we are not
divided by distance of place who, of the gift of Almighty God, are joined together in the
bond of love. Why then seek you to have given you the wings of a dove covered with silver,
when you already have them? For indeed these wings are love of God and of our neighbour.
For by these holy Church flies aloft, and by these transcends all that is earthly; which
if your Holiness had not, you would not have come to me by letter with so great charity.
5 Further, I beg you to pray earnestly in
behalf of the weakness of my heart, to the end that Almighty God may through your
intercession defend my soul from all evils, and the sooner snatch me away from the
hurricanes of this time, which are so many, and bring me to the shores of eternal rest.
6 I have received all the very rich
blessings[6], directed to me, which thou, as a man of God poor in spirit, hast sent me,
saying of them, For what can a poor man give but what is poor? But had you not been poor
through a spirit of humility, your blessings would not have been rich. May Almighty God
guard you by His protection from all evils; and, since your life is very necessary for all
good men, bring you after many years yet to come to the joys of the heavenly country.
EPISTLE III: TO
DONUS, BISHOP OF MESSANA (in Sicily).
Gregory to Donus, &c.
The most eloquent than, our son Faustinus,
has come to us and complained that his late father Peltrasius left some things which were
not his own to your Church for his burial. And indeed he knows himself, and we have heard,
what the secular law is in such a case; namely, that the heir is bound to pay if his
father has bequeathed what was not his own. But, as we know that your Fraternity lives by
the law of God and not of the world, it seems to me very unjust that an amber cup, and a
boy who is said to be of a certain church situate on his property in the diocese of
Consentia, should be detained by thy Fraternity. For, when the most reverend Palumbus, now
bishop, but then archdeacon, had testified that things were as I have said, you certainly
ought to have taken his word, and restored what was not your own. Further, you ought in my
opinion to have considered the golden brooch, which would be his whole substance were
there anything for the sustenance of those he had left behind him, and accepted it at that
time for his burial. Nevertheless, you know our ordinance, how that we have entirely
forbidden the old custom in our Church, nor give our assent to any one being allowed to
acquire burial-places for a human body for a price. For, if the men of Sichem, who were as
we suppose Gentiles, offered without charge to Abraham sepulture for the dead Sara to be
buried in a place of her own, and were hardly prevailed upon by his great importunity to
receive a price for her place of burial, ought we, who are called bishops, to make any
charge for burying the bodies of the faithful? This, then, we commit to the judgment of
your Fraternity[7].
2 The aforesaid most eloquent man complains
also of this; that Sisinnius, the guardian (defensor) of thy Church, unreasonably detains
slaves in his possession: concerning whom also he asserts that it had been decided by the
judgment of bishop Maximianus of holy memory that the detainer of them should give them
up, but that he has so far wilfully put off their restitution. We therefore exhort thy
Fraternity that, if the case has manifestly been adjudged, what was ordained be carried
out. Otherwise, some one being deputed to act in the case, cause him to resort to the
parts of our brother and fellow-bishop Secundinus for judgment, that, when it shall have
been declared by his sentence to whom the slaves in question belong, neither the one party
may appear to suffer prejudice nor the other bear a grudge.
EPISTLE V: TO
VARIOUS METROPOLITANS AND BISHOPS[8].
Gregory to Eusebius of Thessalonica,
Urbitius of Dyracchium, Constantius of Mediolanum (Milan), Andrew of Nicopolis, John of
Corinth, John of Prima Justiniana, John Cretensi Scoritano, John of Larissa, Marinianus of
Ravenna, Januarius of Canalis (Cagliari) in Sardinia, and all the bishops of Sicily.
2 I have taken care to transmit to your
Fraternity the law which the most pious Emperor has issued, to the effect that such as are
bound by engagements of military service or public liabilities, may not in any case, in
order to escape risk of being called to account, assume the condition of ecclesiastics, or
become monks: and this I especially press upon you, that such as are involved in secular
engagements are not to be received hastily among the clergy of the Church, since, while
they live in an ecclesiastical condition no otherwise than they had lived before, they are
by no means trying to escape secular affairs, but to change them. But, if any such should
even seek a monastery, they are by no means to be received unless they have first been
absolved from their public liabilities. Further, if any from the military order are in
haste to become monks, they are not to be received rashly, or until their life has been
fully enquired into. And, according to the regular rule, they ought to undergo a probation
of three years, and then, God granting it, assume the monastic habit. And if they have
thus been proved and accepted, and are anxious, for the good of their souls, to do penance
for the sins they have committed, then, with a view to their heavenly life and gain,
monastic profession should not be denied them. With respect to this matter also, believe
me, the most serene and most Christian Emperor is in every way pacified, and willingly
allows the monastic profession of those whom he knows not to be implicated in public
liabilities. The Month of December, first Indiction.
EPISTLE VI: TO
AMOS, PATRIARCH OF JERUSALEM.
Gregory to Amos, Bishop of Jerusalem.
Being confident that your Fraternity pays
regard to the ordinances of the canons and the vigour of discipline, lest the falseness of
one of' your clerics should succeed in imposing on you so as to escape the strictness of
ecclesiastical order, we have thought it right to inform you of his fault, that through
your solicitude he may be subjected to the discipline from which he has fled. We
understand, then, that Peter, an acolyte, whom we bad caused to serve under our son the
deacon Sabinianus, our ecclesiastical representative in the royal city, has fled, and
resorted to your Church. If this is true, let your Fraternity be at pains to secure him,
and send him back hither when an opportunity occurs. But if by chance, fearing this, he
shall have departed from your Church, and be lurking in various places to escape
detection, order him to be diligently sought for in all your parishes, and, when found,
send him back to us, as we have before said. And we desire also to notify through you that
he is deprived of communion: nor let him dare to receive the mysteries of the Lord's body
and blood until he shall return to us, unless by chance he should be in imminent peril of
death.
EPISTLE X: TO
SABINIANUS, BISHOP OF JADERA[9].
Gregory to Sabinianus, &c.
As to one who perseveres in a fault
punishment is rightly due, so pardon should be granted to those who return to a better
mind. For, as in the former case anger against the culprit is deservedly provoked, so in
the latter good- will displayed is wont to promote concord. And so, inasmuch as a
recollection of the gravity of the priestly office has now withdrawn thy Fraternity from
fellowship and communion with Maximus, into which thoughtlessness had before betrayed
thee; and this to such an extent that thou couldest by no means allow thyself to be
content with mere separation from him without also bewailing thy past transgression by
betaking thyself to the retirement of a monastery, therefore doubt not that thou art
received again into our favour and communion: for, as much as thy fault had before
offended us, so much has thy penitence appeased us. We exhort thee, therefore, most
beloved brother, that thou be instant in bestowing pastoral solicitude on the Lord's
flock, and be diligently on the watch to make profit of the sheep committed to thy charge;
that so the retribution of a copious reward may abound to thee in proportion as thou shalt
offer multiplied fruits of thy labour at the coming of the eternal Judge. Strive then to
rescue those who have fallen into sin; strive to shew the way of retracing their steps to
those that go astray; strive to recall salubriously to the grace of communion those who
have been deprived of communion. Let the coming back of your Charity lay on you the duty
of rescuing others, and be an example of salvation; to the end that, while your anxious
care shall direct the wandering steps of sheep to the folds of the chief shepherd, both
they themselves may not be left exposed to the teeth of wolves, and (what is above all
things to be desired.) that the compensation of condign retribution may await thee in the
life eternal.
2 As to the cause about which you wrote to us,
requesting us to guard against any clandestine proceedings against you in the royal city,
let not this matter disturb your mind. For we have with all possible care given orders to
our responsalis to shew himself solicitous and on his guard. And we trust in the power of
our God that things are being so conducted that the opposition of no one shall avail
against reason, so as in any way to trouble you or to bear hard upon you.
3 Furthermore, the inhabitants of the city of
Epidaurus have most urgently requested us to restore to them Florentius, whom they allege
to be their bishop, asserting that he was driven into exile invalidly by the mere will of
the bishop Natalis[1]. And so, if your Fraternity has any knowledge of his case, please to
inform us accurately by letter. But, if so far you have no knowledge of it, make enquiry,
and report to us, that we may be able, with the Lord's help, to deliberate with full
knowledge before us as to what should be determined concerning him. In the month of
February, first Indiction.
EPISTLE XIII: TO
COLUMBUS.
Gregory to Columbus, Bishop of Numidia[2].
How we may presume on your Charity we gather
from the disposition of our own mind with regard to you. Nor do we think that you love the
Apostolic See otherwise than as it loves you. Whence it must needs be that we should more
peculiarly commend those whom we know to be, as they should be, devoted in the Church of
the blessed Peter, Prince of the apostles, to you whose life the action as well as the
dignity of a priest adorns, and of whose sincerity we already hold proof from past
experience.
2 As to our brother, therefore, and
fellow-bishop Paul[3], the bearer of these presents, with what billows and adversities he
is tossed in your parts he tells us is not unknown to your Holiness. And seeing that he
asserts that the complaints against him which you have told us have come to your ears are
not true, but raised against him at the instigation of his adversaries, and that he trusts
to be able by the help of the Lord to surmount them all, with the truth to support him and
with you to take cognizance, we exhort you, most beloved brother, that, in whatever points
considerations of justice are clearly on his side, you afford him becomingly the hand of
succour, and aid him with priestly sympathy. Let, then, no circumstance, no influence of
any persons, deflect you from studious regard to equity. But, leaning on the Lord's
precepts, set at naught whatever is opposed to rectitude. In defending one party or the
other insist constantly on justice. Shrink not from incurring ill-will, if such there be,
in behalf of truth; that thou mayest find in the advent of our Redeemer b so much the
greater fruit of reward as, not neglecting His commands, thou shalt have devoted thyself
to the countenance and defence of justice.In the month of March, first
Indiction.
EPISTLE XIV: TO
BONIFACE, FIRST GUARDIAN (Defensorem).
Gregory to Boniface concerning the
privileges of Guardians [4].
Those who labour faithfully in the interests
of the Church should receive the benefit of suitable remuneration, so that both we may be
seen to have made a worthy return for their services, and they may shew themselves the
more useful for the favour of the solace granted them. Seeing, then, that those who hold
the office of Guardians are known to labour in the causes of the Church and in the service
of the pontiffs, we have thought fit that they should enjoy the following prerogatives,
granted to them for recompense; -- appointing that, as in the school (schola) of notaries
and subdeacons, through the indulgence of pontiffs long ago, there have been constituted
regionarii, so also among the Guardians seven who may have commended themselves by proved
utility shall be distinguished by the dignity of regionarii. And we appoint that these, in
the absence of the pontiff, shall have leave to sit anywhere in any assembly of clergy,
and enjoy in all respects the privileges of their dignity. Furthermore, if any one,
attaining to this position of priority, should by any chance live in another province for
his own advantage, he must needs still occupy in all respects his place of priority, so
that he may be the chief of all the guardians, as being one who, even before he obtained
his position of priority, had not ceased by assiduous personal attention to devote himself
to the interests of the Church and the service of the pontiff. These decrees, then, by us
constituted, which have been ordained for the privileges and constitution of Guardians, we
appoint to be kept in perpetual force and irrefragably; -- whether such things as we have
decreed in writing, or such as are seen to have been ordained in our presence: and we
decree also that they shall not be upset or changed in whole or in part on any occasion
whatever by any of the pontiffs. For it is a very harsh proceeding, and especially
contrary to good conduct in priests, that any one should endeavour, under any manner of
excuse, to rescind what has been well ordained, and also by his example to teach others to
dissolve his own constitutions after his own time The mouth of April, first Indiction.
EPISTLE XV: TO
MARINIANUS, BISHOP OF RAVENNA.
Gregory to Marinianus, &c. How necessary
it is to provide for the quiet of monasteries [5], and to take measures for their
perpetual security, you are aware from the office you formerly filled in government of a
monastery. And so, seeing that we have learnt how the monastery of the blessed John and
Stephen in the city of Classis, over which our common son, the abbot Claudius, is known to
preside, has suffered many prejudices and grievances from your predecessors, it is right
that the provision of your Fraternity should make salutary arrangements for the quiet of
its inmates in future; to the end that living there in the service of God, His grace also
assisting them, they may persevere with free mind. But lest, owing to the custom which
ought rather to be amended, any one at any time should presume to cause any annoyance
there, it is necessary that the points which we have taken care to enumerate below be so
guarded by the careful attention of your Fraternity that no occasion of causing them
disquiet may possibly be found in future. Let no one, then, any more dare, by any kind of
inquisition whatever, to diminish anything from the revenues or charters of the aforesaid
monastery, or of any place that in any manner whatever pertains to it, or to attempt any
kind of usurpations or stratagems. But if perchance any matter of dispute should arise
between the Church of Ravenna and the aforesaid monastery, and it cannot be settled
amicably, let it be concluded without voluntary delay before men who fear God chosen by
the parties, oath being made upon the most holy Gospels. Further, on the death of an
abbot, let not a stranger be ordained, but one whom the congregation may choose of its own
free will for itself from the same congregation, and who shall have been chosen without
any fraud or venality. But, if they should be unable to find a suitable person among
themselves, let them in like manner wisely choose for themselves for ordination one from
some other monastery. And, when an abbot comes, let no person whatever on any occasion
whatever be put over him in his own monastery, unless perchance in the case (which God
forbid) of crimes which are shewn to be punishable by the sacred canons. This rule also
must be no, less carefully observed; that against the will of the abbot of such monastery
monks be not removed thence for furnishing other monasteries, or for sacred orders, or for
any clerical office. But in cases of there being monks in abundance, sufficient for
celebrating praises to God and for satisfying the requirements of monasteries, let the
abbot offer with devotion of those who are to spare, such as he may be able to find worthy
in the sight of God. But if, while having a sufficient number he should refuse to give
any, then let the bishop of Ravenna take of such as are to spare for furnishing other
monasteries. Nevertheless, let no one be taken out thence for an ecclesiastical office,
except such as the abbot of the place, on having notice given him, may offer of his own
accord, Whosoever also from the aforesaid monastery shall have attained to any
ecclesiastical order, let him thenceforth have neither any power there nor leave to dwell
there [6].
2 It is to be observed also that no schedule
of the property and charters of this monastery must be made by ecclesiastics, if ever
circumstances require one: but let the abbot of the place with other abbots make an
inventory of the property.
3 Further, as often as the abbot may perchance
wish to go or send to the Roman pontiff in the interest of his monastery, let him have
entire liberty to do so.
4 Furthermore, though the visits of bishops
should be looked for with desire by monasteries, yet, seeing that it has been reported to
us that the aforesaid monastery in the times of your predecessor was burdened by occasion
of entertainment, it is right that your Holiness should regulate this in a becoming
manner, so that the prelate of the city may have access to the monastery as often as he
pleases for the sake of visiting and exhorting. But let the bishop so fulfil the office of
charity there that the monastery incur not any burden. Now the aforesaid abbot not only
does not fear your Fraternity's frequent access to the monastery, but even longingly
desires it, knowing that it is quite impossible that the substance of the monastery should
be burdened through you, Given in the month of April, first Indiction.
EPISTLE XVII. TO
MAURENTIUS.
Gregory to Maurentius, magister militum [7].
My most beloved son, Cyprian the deacon, had
pleased me much by his return to me, if his whole self had returned to me. But now that
your Glory bus stayed in Sicily, I know most certainly that he has returned indeed in
body, but in mind has remained in Sicily. Yet, in saying this, I rejoice with you for your
quiet as much as I groan for my own occupations. And to this I earnestly exhort you, that,
if the pleasant savour of inward sweetness has touched the palate of your heart, your mind
be so rapt within itself that all which sounds without, all that delights without, may be
distasteful. Moreover I commend you for avoiding concourses of men, seeing that a mind
which desires to be renewed in God through the grace of compunction often relapses into
its old state through evil conversation and words. I have sought for some to join you in a
society for sacred reading, but have found no one, and I exceedingly lament the scarcity
of what is good. And though I, a sinner, am very much occupied, yet, if you should wish to
come to the threshold of the blessed apostle Peter, you will be able to have me as a close
associate in the study of Holy Writ. May Almighty God keep you under His heavenly
protection, and grant you to remain defended against the snares of the ancient foe.
EPISTLE XVIII:
TO AGNELLUS, BISHOP OF TERRACINA. Gregory to Agnellus, &c.
It has come to our ears -- a thing shocking
to be told -- that some in your parts worship trees, and perpetrate many other unlawful
things contrary to the Christian faith. And we wonder why your Fraternity has delayed
correcting this by strict punishment. On this account we exhort you by this present
writing to cause these persons to be sought out by diligent enquiry, and such vengeance to
be executed on them that both God may be pacified and their punishment may be an example
of rebuke to others.
2 We have written also to Mourns the Viscount
that he should afford aid to your Fraternity in this matter, that so you may be unable to
find any excuse for nor apprehending them. Further, as we find that many excuse themselves
from keeping watch over the walls, let your Fraternity be careful to suffer no man, either
under the name of our or your Church, or under any other pretext, to be exempted from
keeping watch: but let all generally be compelled, to the end that, while all keep watch,
the custody of the city may, by the help of the Lord, be the better provided for.
EPISTLE XX: TO
MARINIANUS, BISHOP OF RAVENNA.
Gregory to Marinianus, &c.
John, the bearer of these presents,
complains that his wife, flying from the molestations of one George, has long been
residing within venerable precincts [8], and has so far met with no assistance. Since she
asserts that there is a dispute about her condition [9], and has asked that it should be
commended to your Fraternity, we hereby exhort you that you afford your protection to this
woman, and permit her not to be in any way aggrieved by any one unreasonably. But if the
question about her station still continues, let it be your care that, without any
oppression, and in a legal manner, it may be submitted for judgment; so that when, after
ascertainment of the truth, what is agreeable to the order of law has been determined,
neither party may complain of having suffered wrong. The month of May, first Indiction.
EPISTLE XXI: TO
JOHN, BISHOP OF SYRACUSE.
Gregory to John, &c.
Felix, the bearer of these presents, has
complained to us that, being born of Christian parents, he was given (i.e. as a slave) by
a certain Christian to a Samaraean [1], which is an atrocious thing to be said. And,
though neither order of law nor reverence for religion allow men of such like superstition
in any way whatever to possess Christian slaves, yet he asserts that he remained for
eighteen years in that man's service. But he says that, when your predecessor Maximianus
of holy memory became aware of the fact, he was freed by him, moved, as was becoming, by
priestly zeal, from the service of that Samaraean. But, inasmuch as the son of the said
Samaraean is said after five years to have become a Christian, and certain persons are
trying to reclaim the aforesaid Felix, according to his own account, to his service, let
your Holiness enquire diligently into the facts that we have been informed of, and, if
they should be found true, study to protect him, and allow him on no pretext whatever to
be aggrieved by any one, seeing that, while the laws plainly forbid slaves of that
superstitious sect who are before their masters in coming to the faith being reclaimed to
their service, how much more ought not this man -- born of Christian parents, and a
Christian from his childhood -- to be subjected m any wise to this contention; especially
as neither could be the slave of that other man's father, who it is clear was rather
liable to punishment by law for his wicked presumption? And so, as we have said, let the
defence of your Holiness so protect him reasonably that no one may be at liberty, under
any pretence whatever, in any degree to afflict him.
EPISTLE XXII: TO
RUSTICIANA, PATRICIAN [2].
Gregory to Rusticiana, &c.
I remember having before now written to your
Excellency, and repeatedly urged you to lose no time in revisiting the thresholds of the
blessed Peter, Prince of the apostles. And what means your so great delight in the city of
Constantinople, and your oblivion of the city of Rome, I know not. I have not so far been
thought worthy of getting any information from you on this head. For how far it might be
of advantage to your soul for reaping the rewards of eternal life, and how far it would
suit also in all respects your glorious daughter, the lady Eusebia, this we fully give our
attention to, and you may no less fully consider. But, if you enquire of my son Peter,
your servant, whom I have found to be wise beyond his age and to be studying to attain
ripeness, you will find how great is the love towards your Excellency of air who dwell
here, and how great their desire to be thought worthy of seeing you again. And if, the
Lord teaching us, we are admonished in Holy Writ that we should love even our enemies, we
ought to consider how wrong it is to shew no love even to those who love us. But, if haply
we are said to be loved. we know most certainly that no one can have affection for those
whom he does not wish to see. If, however, you are afraid of the swords and wars of Italy,
you should attentively observe how great is the protection of the blessed Peter, Prince of
the apostles, in this city, wherein, without a large force of people, and without military
aid, we are preserved under God for so many years among swords. This we say, because we
love. But may Almighty God grant whatever He sees to be of advantage to your soul for
ever, and to the renown of your house at the present time.
2 The ten pounds of gold which your Excellency
has sent for the redemption of captives I have received at the hands of my aforesaid son.
But I pray that the heavenly grace which granted to you that you should give them for your
soul's reward may also grant to me to dispense them without any contagion of sin; lest we
should be stained by that whereby you wipe away sins. May Almighty God, who looks upon the
weakness of your body and your pilgrimage, comfort you ever by His grace, and by the life
and health of my most sweet son the lord Strategius [3]; that so He may nurture him both
for you through many years and for Himself through eternity, and may both replenish you
and all your house with present good and grant you to have grace from above. We further
beg that the glorious lord Eudoxius may be greeted in our behalf.
EPISTLE XXIII:
TO FANTINUS, GUARDIAN (Defensorem).
Gregory to Fantinus, &c.
From the information of the lady abbess of
the monastery of Saint Stephen in the territory of Agrigentum we find that many of the
Jews, divine grace inspiring them, wish to be converted to the Christian faith; but that
it is necessary for some one to go thither by our command. Accordingly we enjoin thee, in
virtue of the authority hereby given thee, that, putting aside every excuse, thou make
haste to go to the aforesaid place, and with the favour of God aid their desire by thy
exhortations. If, however, it seems long and dreary for them to look forward to the
Paschal solemnity, and thou findest them anxious for baptism now, then lest long delay
should possibly change their minds (which God forbid), speak thou with our brother the
bishop of that place, that, penitence and abstinence having been prescribed them for forty
days, he may baptize them under the protection of the mercy of Almighty God on a Lord's
day, or on any very noted festival that may chance to occur; since the character of the
present time too, on account of impending calamity, impels us not to defer the fulfilment
of their desires by any procrastination. Further, whomsoever of them thou ascertainest to
be poor and without sufficient means for buying vestments for themselves, we desire thee
to supply with vestments for their baptism; and know that the price that thou mayest give
for them is to be charged in thy accounts. But, if they should choose to wait for the holy
season of Easter, speak again with the bishop, that they may for the present become
catechumens, and that he may go to them frequently, and pay careful attention to them, and
kindle their minds by the admonition of his exhortations, so that the more distant the
expected festival is, the more may they prepare themselves and with fervent desire look
forward to it.
2 Furthermore, let it be thy care to enquire
with all zeal and diligence whether the above-named monastery over which the aforesaid
lady presides has sufficient means, or whether it suffers any need. And whatever thou
mayest truly ascertain, as well as what is done with respect to those who desire to be
baptized, make haste to inform us in full. The Month of June, first Indiction.
EPISTLE XXIV: TO
SABINIANUS, BISHOP OF JADERA [4].
Gregory to Sabinianus, &c.
I am well delighted in thy sincerity,
dearest brother, knowing how, with the discrimination of a careful judgment, it both obeys
where obedience is due and resists where resistance is due with priestly zeal. For with
what alacrity of devotion thou hast submitted to what we enjoined for the fault of thy
past transgression is disclosed to us by the contents of the letters which thou hast sent
to us by the bearer of these presents. For indeed my beloved brother could not take it
otherwise than as it was enjoined by one who loves him. Hence I trust in the compassion of
Almighty God that His grace so protects thee that, having been thus absolved also from
other sins, thou mayest rejoice in having wholesomely obeyed. But as to what thy Charity
has signified about being distressed by the jealousy of the excommunicated prevaricator
Maximus, thou oughtest not to be disturbed; but it becomes thee by patiently enduring to
bear up against the billows that swell vainly to some small degree, and by the virtue of
perseverence to subdue the foaming of the waves. For patience knows how to smooth what is
rough, and constancy to overcome fierceness. Let not, then, adversity deject your spirits,
but inflame them. Let priestly vigour shew thee in all things the more bold. For this is a
true evidence of truth, for one to exhibit himself as all the readier in hard
circumstances, and all the braver in such as are adverse. Wherefore, that no blow may
avail to upset the firmness of thy rectitude from its good determination, plant, as thou
hast begun to do, the steps of thy soul on the solidity of that rock on which thou knowest
that our Redeemer has rounded the Church throughout the world, that so the right footsteps
of a sincere heart may not stumble on a devious way.
2 As to the things about which thou hast
written, or which the bearer of these presents has explained in our presence, do not
suppose that we are neglecting them: we are very carefully considering them.
3 Further, we have already, both before and
now, given accurate information about everything to our most beloved son the deacon
Anatolius [5]; exhorting him to lose no time, with the aid of our Creator, in acting
strictly and zealously in whatever pertains to the advantage and quiet of your Charity and
of your sons. And so let not sorrow affect your Fraternity, nor the enmity of any one
whatever afflict you. For, with the assistance of Divine Grace, we trust that it will not
be long before the presumption of the aforesaid excommunicated prevaricator will be more
strictly repressed, and your quiet, as you desire, arrive. We have also by no means
omitted to write about his perverseness to our most excellent son the Exarch [6], who is
anxious to commend him to us.
4 As to the presbyter about whom thy
Fraternity has consulted us through the representation of the bearer of these presents,
know that after his lapse be cannot by any means remain in, or be restored to, his sacred
order. Still be ought to be somewhat mildly dealt with, inasmuch as he is said to have
readily confessed his fault.
5 Furthermore, this same bearer spoke at the
same time of certain privileges of your Church granted by our predecessors.
6 About the writings thus referred to by your
Charity we wish to be more accurately informed. Or, if any of them are lying in the
registry of your Church, it is necessary that copies of them be transmitted hither; that
we may be able with willing mind to renew whatever concerns reverence for your dignity or
the genius of the aforesaid Church.
7 If our common son, the glorious lord
Marcellus [7], should be minded to come hither, urgently persuade him to do so; for on all
accounts I desire to see him. But, if he should choose to remain where he is, do you so
exhibit yourselves to him in beseeming charity that you may be able to respond, as becomes
you, to the affection which he has towards you. May Almighty God keep and protect you with
the gift of His grace, and enflame your heart to do the things that are well pleasing to
Him.
EPISTLE XXIX: TO
EULOGIUS, BISHOP OF ALEXANDRIA.
Gregory to Eulogius, &c.
An address from a learned man is always
profitable, because the hearer either learns what he had known himself to be ignorant of,
or, what is more, comes to know what he did not know he had been ignorant of. A hearer of
the latter kind I have now become, your most holy Blessedness having been minded to write
to me, asking me to send you the acts of all the martyrs, which were collected in the
times of Constantine, of pious memory, by Eusebius of Caesarea. But before receiving the
letter of your Blessedness I did not know of these acts, whether they had been collected,
or whether not. I therefore give thanks that, instructed by your most holy teaching, I
have begun to know what I was ignorant of. For beside what is contained about the acts of
the holy martyrs in the books of the same Eusebius, I am not aware of any collections in
the archives of this our Church, or in the libraries of the city of Rome, unless it be
some few things collected in one single volume. We bare indeed the names of almost all the
martyrs, with their passions assigned to particular days, collected in one volume; and we
celebrate the solemnities of mass on such days in commemoration of them. Yet it is not
indicated in this volume who each was, and how he suffered; but only his name, the place,
and day, of his passion are put down. Hence it results that many of divers countries and
provinces are known to have been crowned with martyrdom, as I have said, through their
several days. But these we believe you have. That, however, which you wish to have sent to
you we have sought for, but have not found; but, though we have not found it, we will
still search, and, if it can be found, will send it.
2 With regard to what you write about the
timber being short in length, the cause was in the kind of ship by which it was sent; for,
if a larger ship had come, we could have sent larger pieces of timber. But as to your
saying that, if we send larger pieces, you will pay for them, we thank you indeed for your
liberality, but we are precluded from accepting a price, since the Gospel forbids it. For
we do not buy the timber which we send; and how can we accept a price, when it is written,
Freely ye have received, freely give (Matth. x. 8)? We have therefore sent now through the
shipmaster timber of short length in accordance with the size of the ship, whereof a
notice is subjoined. Next year, however, should it please Almighty God, we will prepare
larger pieces.
3 We have received with the kindliness
wherewith it was sent the blessing of Saint Mark the Evangelist, nay, it may be said more
truly, of Saint Peter the Apostle [8]; and, greeting you well, we beg your Blessedness to
deign to pray for us, that so we may be counted worthy to be soon delivered from present
evils, and not to be excluded from future joys.
EPISTLE XXX: TO
EULOGIUS, BISHOP OF ALEXANDRIA.
Gregory to Eulogius, &c.
Our common son, the bearer of these
presents, when he brought the letters of your Holiness found me sick, and has left me
sick; whence it has ensued that the scanty water of my brief epistle has been hardly able
to exude to the large fountain of your Blessedness. But it was a heavenly boon that, while
in a state of bodily pain, I received the letter of your Holiness to lift me up with joy
for the instruction of the heretics of the city of Alexandria, and the concord of the
faithful, to such an extent that the very joy of my mind moderated the severity of my
suffering. And indeed we rejoice with new exultation to hear of your good doings, though
at the same time we by no means suppose that it is a new thing for you to act thus
perfectly. For that the people of holy Church increases, that spiritual crops of corn for
the heavenly garner are multiplied, we never doubted that this was from the grace of
Almighty God which flowed largely to you, most blessed ones. We therefore render thanks to
Almighty God, that we see fulfilled in you what is written, Where there is much increase,
there the strength of the oxen is manifest (Prov. xiv. 4). For, if a strong ox had not
drawn the plough of the tongue over the ground of the hearts of hearers, so great an
increase of the faithful would by no means have sprung up.
2 But, since in the good things you do I know
that you also rejoice with others, I make you a return for your favour, and announce
things not unlike yours; for while the nation of the Angli, placed in a corner of the
world, remained up to this time misbelieving in the worship of stocks and stones, I
determined, through the aid of your prayers for me, to send to it, God granting it, a monk
of my monastery for the purpose of preaching. And he, having with my leave been made
bishop by the bishops of Germany, proceeded, with their aid also, to the end of the world
to the aforesaid nation; and already letters have reached us telling us of his safety and
his work; to the effect that he and those that have been sent with him are resplendent
with such great miracles in the said nation that they seem to imitate the powers of the
apostles in the signs which they display. Moreover, at the solemnity of the Lord's
Nativity which occurred in this first indiction, more than ten thousand Angli are reported
to have been baptized by the same our brother and fellow-bishop. This have I told you,
that you may know what you are effecting among the people of Alexandria by speaking, and
what in the ends of the world by praying. For your prayers are in the place where you are
not, while your holy operations are shewn in the place where you are.
3 In the next place, as to the person of
Eudoxius the heretic [9], about whose error I have discovered nothing in the Latin
language, I rejoice that I have been most abundantly satisfied by your Blessedness. For
you have adduced the testimonies of the strong men, Basil, Gregory, and Epiphanius; and we
acknowledge him to be manifestly slain, at whom our heroes have cast so many darts. But
with regard to these errors which are proved to have arisen in the Church of
Constantinople, you have replied on all heads most learnedly, and as it became you to
utter the judgment of so great a see. Whence we give thanks to Almighty God, that the
tables of the covenant are still in the ark of God. For what is the priestly heart but the
ark of the covenant? And since spiritual doctrine retains its vigour therein, without
doubt the tables of the law are lying in it.
4 Your Blessedness has also been careful to
declare that you do not now make use of proud titles, which have sprung from a root of
vanity, in writing to certain persons, and you address me saying, As you have commanded.
This word, command, I beg you to remove from my hearing, since I know who I am, and who
you are. For in position you are my brethren, in character my fathers. I did not, then,
command, but was desirous of indicating what seemed to be profitable. Yet I do not find
that your Blessedness has been willing to remember perfectly this very thing that I
brought to your recollection. For I said that neither to me nor to any one else ought you
to write anything of the kind; and lo, in the preface of the epistle which you have
addressed to myself who forbade it, you have thought fit to make use of a proud
appellation, calling me Universal Pope. But I beg your most sweet Holiness to do this no
more, since what is given to another beyond what reason demands is subtracted from
yourself. For as for me, I do not seek to be prospered by words but by my conduct. Nor do
I regard that as an honour whereby I know that my brethren lose their honour. For my
honour is the honour of the universal Church: my honour is the solid vigour of my
brethren. Then am I truly honoured when the honour due to all and each is not denied them.
For if your Holiness calls me Universal Pope, you deny that you are yourself what you call
me universally. But far be this from us. Away with words that inflate vanity and wound
charity.
5 And, indeed, in the synod of Chalcedon and
afterwards by subsequent Fathers, your Holiness knows that this was offered to my
predecessors(1). And yet not one of them would ever use this title, that, while regarding
the honour of all priests in this world, they might keep their own before Almighty God.
Lastly, while addressing to you the greeting which is due, I beg you to deign to remember
me in your holy prayers, to the end that the Lord for your intercessions may absolve me
from the bands of my sins, since my own merits may not avail me.
EPISTLE XXXIII:
TO DOMINICUS.
Gregory to Dominicus, Bishop of Carthage.
The letter of your Holiness, which we
received at the hands of the bearer of these presents, so expressed priestly moderation as
to soothe us, in a manner, with the bodily presence of its author. Nor indeed does
infrequency of communication cause any harm where the affection of love remains
uninterrupted in one's mind. Great, moreover, is the power of charity, beloved brother,
which binds hearts one to another in mutual affection with the chain of its sincerity, and
suffers them not to be loosened from the cohesion of grace, which conjoins things
disjoined, keeps together things united, and causes persons who are unknown by sight to be
known through love. Whosoever therefore fixes his heart on the hinge of charity, him no
impulse of any adversity whatever tears from the habitation of the heavenly country,
since, in whatever direction he may turn himself, he parts not from the threshold of the
commandments. Hence also it is said by the excellent preacher in praise of this same
charity, Which is the band of perfectness (Coloss. iii. 14). We see, then, what great
praise is due to that which not only engenders perfectness in the soul, but also binds it.
2 Wherefore, since the language of thy letters
shews thee to be inflamed with the fire of this virtue, I rejoice in the Lord with
abundant exultation, and hope that it may shine forth in thee more and more, seeing that
the flame of the shepherd is the light of the flock. For it becomes the Lord's priest(2)
to shine in manners and life, to the end that the people committed to him may be able, as
it were in the mirror of his life, both to choose what to follow, and to see what to
correct.
3 Knowing, furthermore, whence priestly
ordination took its beginning in the African parts, you act laudably in recurring with
wise recollection, in your love of the Apostolic See, to the origin of your office, and in
continuing with commendable constancy in your affection towards it(3). For indeed it is
certain that whatever reverence and devotion in priestly wise you shew to it, this you add
to your own honour; seeing that you hereby invite it to be bound with answering love to
you.
4 It remains, most dear brother, that we
beseech Almighty God with continual prayer that He would direct the steps of our hearts
into the pathway of His truth, and bring us to the heavenly kingdoms, granting us by the
grace of His protection to exhibit in our works the office which we bear in name. The
Month of August, first Indiction(4).
EPISTLE XXXIV:
TO JOHN BISHOP OF SCYLLACIUM(5).
Gregory to John, &c.
It is evidently a very serious thing, and
contrary to what a priest should aim at, to wish to disturb privileges formerly granted to
any monastery, and to endeavour to bring to naught what has been arranged for quiet. Now
the monks of the Castilliensian monastery in your Fraternity's city have complained to us
that you are taking steps to impose upon the said monastery certain things contrary to
what had been allowed by your predecessors and sanctioned by long custom, and to disturb
ancient arrangements by a certain injurious novelty. Wherefore we hereby exhort your
Fraternity that, if this is so, you refrain from troubling this monastery under any
excuse, and that you try not, through any opportunity of usurpation, to upset what has
been long secured to it, but that you study, without any gainsaying, to preserve all its
privileges inviolate, and know that no more is lawful to you with regard to the said
monastery than was lawful to your predecessors.
2 Further, inasmuch as they have likewise
complained that thy Fraternity has taken certain things from the monastery under the guise
of their being, as it were, an offering(6), it is necessary that, if thou recollectest
having received anything unbecomingly, thou restore it without delay, lest the sin of
avarice seriously convict thee, whom priestly munificence ought to have shewn liberal
towards monasteries. Therefore, while thou preservest all things which, as we have said,
have been allowed and preserved by thy predecessors, let it be thy care to keep careful
watch over the acts and lives of the monks residing there, and, if thou shouldest find any
one living amiss, or (which God forbid) guilty of any sin of uncleanness, to correct such
by strict and regular emendation. For, as we desire your Fraternity to abstain from
incongruous usurpations, so we admonish you to be in all ways solicitous in what pertains
to rectitude of discipline and the guardianship of souls.
3 The monks of the aforesaid monastery have
also informed us that the camp which is called Scillacium is built on ground belonging to
their monastery, and that on this account those who live there pledged themselves in
writing(7) to pay a solatium(8) every year; but that they afterwards thought scorn of it,
and idly withheld their stipulated payment. Let then your Fraternity take care to learn
the truth accurately; and, if you should find it so, urgently see to their not delaying to
give what they promised, and what also reason requires; that so both they may possess
quietly what they hold, and the rights of the monastery may incur no damage.
4 Furthermore, the monks of the aforesaid
monastery have complained to us that their abbot has granted to thy Fraternity by title of
gift land within the camp of Scillacium, to the extent of six hundred feet, under pretext
of building a church: and accordingly it is our will that as much land as the walls of the
church, when built, can surround shall be claimed as belonging to the church. But let
whatever may be outside the walls of the said church revert without dispute to the
possession of the monastery. For the ordinances neither of worldly laws nor of the sacred
canons permit the property of a monastery to be segregated by any title from its
ownership. On this account restore thou this gift of land which has been granted against
reason.
EPISTLE XXXV: TO
LEONTIUS, EX-CONSUL.
Gregory to Leontius, &c.
Since in a great house there are not only
vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth, and some indeed to honour
but some to dishonour (2 Tim. ii. 20), who can be ignorant that in the bosom of the
Universal Church some as vessels of dishonour are deputed to the lowest uses, but others,
as vessels of honour, are fitted for clean uses. And yet it commonly comes to pass that
the citizens of Babylon serve in task-work for Jerusalem, while the citizens of Jerusalem,
that is of the heavenly country, are deputed to the task-work of Babylon. For when the
elect of God, endowed with moral excellence, distinguished for moderation, seeking not
their own gain, are deputed to earthly business, what else is it but that the citizens of
holy Jerusalem serve in the work of Babylon? And when some, unbridled in immorality, hold
places of holy dignity, and in the very things which they seem to do well seek praise to
themselves, what else is it but that the citizens of Babylon execute the task-work of the
heavenly Jerusalem? For so Judas, mixed with the apostles, long preached the Redeemer of
the human race, and did signs with the rest; but, because he had been a citizen of
Babylon, he executed his work as task-work for the heavenly Jerusalem. But on the other
hand Joseph, being carried into Egypt, served an earthly court, bore the charge of
administration in temporal things, exhibited whatever was justly due to a transitory
kingdom; but, because he was still a citizen of holy Jerusalem, he administered the
service of Babylon, as has been seen above, in the way of task-work only. A follower of
him, good man, I believe thee to be, knowing thee, though involved in earthly action, to
act with a gentle spirit, to keep in all respects the citadel of humility, and to give to
every one what is just. For such good things are reported by many of your Glory that I
would fain not hear of such things, but see them: yet still I am fed by the good renown of
him whom I am not allowed to see. But the woman who poured from the alabaster box,
exhibiting a type of the Holy Church, that is of all the elect, filled the house with the
ointment (Luke vii.). And we, as often as we hear anything of good people, draw in as it
were through our nostrils a breath of sweetness. And when Paul the Apostle said, We are a
good odour of Christ unto God (2 Cor. ii. 15), it is plainly given to be understood that
he exhibited himself as a savour indeed to the present, but as an odour to the absent. We
therefore, while we cannot be nourished by the savour of your presence, are so by the
odour of your absence.
2 For this also we greatly rejoice, that the
gifts which you sent us were not unlike your character. For indeed we received oil of the
holy cross(9), and wood of aloes; one to bless by the touch, the other to give a sweet
smell when kindled. For it was becoming that a good man should send us things that might
appease the wrath of God against us.
3 Many other things also you have sent for our
store-houses, since, as we subsist both in soul and in flesh, it was needful that we
should be sustained in both. And yet in transmitting these things your most sweet soul
declares that it blushes much for shame, and holds out the shield of charity before this
same shame-facedness. But I altogether rejoice in these words, since from this attestation
of the soul I know that he can never take away what is another's who blushes even in
bestowing what is his own. Your gifts however, which you call small, are great: but I
think that your Glory's very humility enhances them yet the more. And you beg me to
receive them kindly. But meanwhile recall to your memory the two mites of a certain widow
(Luke xxvii.). For, if she pleased God who offered a little with a good will, why should
not he please men who with a humble mind has given much? Furthermore we send you, as a
blessing from Saint Peter, Prince of the apostles, a key of his most sacred sepulchre, in
which is inserted a blessing from his chains(1), that what bound his neck for martyrdom
may loose yours from all sins.
|