Epistles, Books I–VIII, Book I

Book I

• Epistles, Books I–VIII I.1 — To all the Bishops of Sicily. The Month of September, Indiction IX., Being the First Year of His Ordination. To all the Bishops of Sicily. Gregory, servant of the servants of God, to all the bishops constituted…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII I.2 — To Justinus, Prætor of Sicily. Gregory to Justinus, Prætor of Sicily. What my tongue speaks my conscience approves; since even before you had become engaged in the employments of any office of dignity, I have greatly…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII I.3 — To Paul, Scholasticus. Gregory to Paul, &c. However strangers smile upon me on account of the dignity of my priestly office, this I take not much account of; but I do grieve not a little at your smiling upon me on…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII I.4 — To John, Bishop of Constantinople. Gregory to John, Bishop of Constantinople. If the virtue of charity consists in the love of one’s neighbour, and we are commanded to love our neighbours as ourselves, how is it that…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII I.5 — To Theoctista, Sister of the Emperor. Gregory to Theoctista, &c. With how great devotion my mind prostrates itself before your Venerableness I cannot fully express in words; nor yet do I labour to give utterance to…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII I.6 — To Narses, Patrician. Gregory to Narses, &c. In describing loftily the sweetness of contemplation, you have renewed the groans of my fallen state, since I hear what I have lost inwardly while mounting outwardly,…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII I.7 — To Anastasius, Patriarch of Antioch. Gregory to Anastasius, &c. I have found what your Blessedness has written to be as rest to the weary, as health to the sick, as a fountain to the thirsty, as shade to the…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII I.8 — To Peter the Subdeacon. Gregory to Peter, &c. Gregory, a servant of God, presbyter and abbot of the monastery of Saint Theodore in the province of Sicily constituted in the territory of Panormus, has given us to…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII I.9 — To Bacauda and Agnellus, Bishops. Gregory to Bacauda, &c. The Hebrews dwelling in Terracina have petitioned us for licence to hold, under our authority, the site of their synagogue which they have held hitherto. But,…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII I.10 — To Clementina, Patrician. Gregory to Clementina, &c. Having received your Glory’s letter speaking of the passing away of the late Eutherius of magnificent memory, we give you to understand that our mind no less than…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII I.11 — To John, Bishop of Urbs Vetus (Orvieto). Gregory to John, &c. Agapitus, abbot of the monastery of St. George, informs us that he endures many grievances from your Holiness; and not only in things that might be of…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII I.12 — To Severus, Bishop of Aquileia. Gregory to Severus, &c. As, when one who walks through devious ways takes anew the right path, the Lord embraces him with all eagerness, so afterwards, when one deserts the way of…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII I.13 — To all the Bishops of Italy. Gregory to all, &c. Inasmuch as the abominable Autharit during this Easter solemnity which has been lately completed, forbade children of Lombards being baptized in the catholic faith,…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII I.14 — To Peter the Subdeacon. Gregory to Peter, &c. We have been informed that Marcellus of the Barutanian Church, who has had penance assigned him in the monastery of Saint Adrian in the same city of Panormus, not only is…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII I.15 — To Natalis, Bishop of Salona. Gregory to Natalis, &c. The acts of your synod which you have transmitted to us, in which the Archdeacon Honoratus is condemned, we perceive to be full of the seed of strifes, seeing…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII I.16 — To Honoratus, Deacon of Salona. Gregory to Honoratus, &c. Having read the contradictory letters which thou and thy bishop have addressed to us against each other, we grieve that there is so little charity between…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII I.17 — To Natalis, Bishop of Salona. Gregory to Natalis, &c. We have received at the hands of the deacon Stephen, whom you sent to us, the letters of thy Reverence, wherein you congratulate us on our promotion. And truly…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII I.18 — To John, Bishop of Constantinople, and the Other Patriarchs. Gregory, to John of Constantinople, Eulogius of Alexandria, Gregory of Antioch, John of Jerusalem, and Anastasias, Ex-Patriarch of Antioch. A paribus. When…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII I.19 — To Anastasius, Patriarch of Antioch. [The beginning of this epistle is the same as that of Epistle VII. to the same Anastasius as far as the words “stand on the shore of virtue”; after which it is continued as…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII I.20 — To Anastasius, Archbishop of Corinth. Gregory to Anastasius, &c. In proportion as the judgments of God are unsearchable ought they to be an object of fear to human apprehension; so that mortal reason, being unable to…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII I.21 — To Sebastian, Bishop of Rhisinum [in Dalmatia]. Gregory to Sebastian, &c. Although I deserved to receive no letters from your Blessedness, yet I also do not forget my own forgetfulness; I blame my negligence, I stir…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII I.22 — To Aristobulus, Ex-Prefect and Antigraphus. Gregory to Aristobulus, &c. For fully expressing my affection I confess that my tongue suffices not: but your own affection will better tell you all that I feel towards…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII I.23 — To Romanus, Patrician, and Exarch of Italy. Gregory to Romanus, &c. Even though there were no immediate cause for writing to your Excellency, yet we ought to shew solicitude for your health and safety so as to learn…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII I.24 — To Venantius, Ex-Monk, Patrician of Syracuse. Gregory to Venantius, &c. Many foolish men have supposed that, if I were advanced to the rank of the episcopate, I should decline to address thee, or to keep up…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII I.25 — To Peter, Bishop of Terracina. Gregory to Peter, &c. Joseph, a Jew, the bearer of these presents, has informed us that, the Jews dwelling in the camp of Terracina having been accustomed to assemble in a certain place…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII I.26 — To Peter the Subdeacon. Gregory, bishop, servant of the servants of God, to Peter the Subdeacon. The code of instructions which I gave thee on thy going to Sicily must be diligently perused, so that the greatest care…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII I.27 — To Anthemius, Subdeacon. Gregory to Anthemius, &c. We charged thee on thy departure, and remember to have afterwards enjoined on thee by letter, to take care of the poor, and, if thou shouldest find any in those…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII I.28 — To Peter, Subdeacon. Gregory to Peter, &c. The venerable Paulinus bishop of the city of Taurum (Taurianum in Brutia), has told us that his monks have been scattered by reason of barbaric invasions, and that they are…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII I.29 — To Anthemius, Subdeacon. Gregory to Anthemius, &c. John, our brother and fellow-bishop, in a schedule sent to us by his cleric Justus, has among many other things intimated to us as follows: that some monks of the…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII I.30 — To Leander Bishop of Hispalis (Seville). Gregory to Leander, &c. I should have wished to reply to your letters with full application of mind, were I not so worn by the labour of my pastoral charge as to be more…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII I.31 — To Peter, Subdeacon of Sicily. Gregory to Peter, &c. With regard to our having so long delayed sending off thy messenger, we have been so occupied with the engagements of the Paschal festival that we have been unable…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII I.32 — To Peter the Subdeacon. Gregory to Peter, &c. The divine precepts admonish us to love our neighbours as ourselves; and, seeing that we are enjoined to love them with this charity, how much more ought we to succour…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII I.33 — To Virgilius, Bishop of Arelate (Arles) and Theodorus, Bishop of Massilia (Marseilles). Gregory to Virgilius, Bishop of Arelate, and Theodorus, Bishop of Massilia, in Gaul. Though the opportunity of a suitable time…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII I.34 — To Theodorus, Duke of Sardinia. Gregory to Theodorus, &c. The justice which you bear in your mind you ought to shew in the light of your deeds. Now Juliana, abbess of the monastery of Saint Vitus which Vitula of…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII I.35 — To Honoratus, Deacon. Gregory to Honoratus, &c. Since we have undertaken, however undeserving, a place of government, it is our duty to succour our brethren in need, so far as our power extends. Januarius, then, our…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII I.36 — To Anthemius the Subdeacon. Gregory to Anthemius, &c. Even as, through the ordering of God as it hath pleased Him, we have received the place of government, so ought we to be solicitous for the souls committed to us.…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII I.37 — To Symmachus the Defensor. Gregory to Symmachus, &c. My son Boniface the deacon has told me that thy Experience had written to say that a monastery built by Labina, a religious lady, is now ready for monks to be…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII I.38 — To Peter, Subdeacon. Gregory to Peter, &c. Being exceedingly desirous of observing the festivals of saints, we have thought it needful to address this our letter of direction to thy Experience, informing thee that we…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII I.39 — To Severus, Bishop. Gregory to Severus, &c. We learn from thy Fraternity’s epistle that, with regard to the choice of a bishop, some are agreed in favour of Ocleatinus, with whom, since we disallow him, they need not…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII I.40 — To Arsicinus Duke, the Clergy, Nobility, and Common People (ordini et plebi) of the City of Ariminum. To Arsicinus Duke, the Clergy, Nobility, and Common People (ordini et plebi) of the City of Ariminum. Gregory to…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII I.41 — To Gennadius, Patrician and Exarch of Africa. Gregory to Gennadius, &c. That you have unceasingly the fear of God before your eyes, and pursue justice, the subdued necks of enemies testify; but, that the grace of…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII I.42 — To Januarius, Archbishop of Caralis (Cagliari) in Sardinia. Gregory to Januarius, &c. If our Lord Himself by the testimony of Holy Scripture declares Himself to be the husband of widows and father of orphans, we…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII I.43 — To Januarius, Bishop of Caralis (Cagliari) in Sardinia. Gregory to Januarius, &c. Though your Fraternity in the zeal of righteousness gives fitting attention to the protection of divers persons, yet we believe that…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII I.44 — To Felix, Bishop of Messana (Messene). Gregory to Felix, &c. Customs which are found to bring a burden upon churches it becomes us in our consideration to discontinue, lest any should be forced to contribute to…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII I.45 — To Peter, Subdeacon. Gregory to Peter, &c. If with kind disposition we meet the needs of our neighbours by shewing compassion, we shall undoubtedly find the Lord mercifully inclined to our petitions. Now we have…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII I.46 — To Peter, Subdeacon. Gregory to Peter, &c. Thou hast learnt from a former letter that we have desired our brethren and fellow-bishops dwelling in the island of Sicily to assemble here for the anniversary of the…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII I.47 — To Gennadius, Patrician and Exarch of Africa. Gregory to Gennadius, &c. As the Lord hath made your Excellency to shine with the light of victories in the military wars of this life, so ought you to pose the enemies…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII I.48 — To Gennadius, Patrician, and Exarch throughout Africa. Gregory to Gennadius, Patrician, &c. Had not such great success of the military exploits of your Excellency arisen from the merit of your faith and from the…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII I.49 — To All the Bishops of Numidia. Gregory to all the Bishops of Numidia. If ever, most dear brethren in Christ, a troublesome mixture of tares intrudes itself among green corn, it is necessary for the hand of the…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII I.50 — To Leo, Bishop in Corsica. Gregory to Leo, &c. Our pastoral charge constrains us to come with anxious consideration to the succour of a church that is destitute of the control of a priest. And, inasmuch as we have…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII I.51 — To Martinus, Bishop in Corsica. Gregory to Martinus, &c. To those who ask for what is just it behoves us to lend a kindly ear, to the end both that the petitioners may find the remedies they hope for, and that the…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII I.52 — To the Clergy and Nobles of Corsica. Gregory to the Clergy, &c…A paribus. Although for a long time it has caused you no sorrow that the Church of God should be without a pontiff, yet as for us, we are both compelled…vatican.va