Epistles, Books I–VIII, Book II

Book II

• Epistles, Books I–VIII II.1 — To Velox, Magister Militium. Gregory to Velox, &c. We informed your Glory some time ago that soldiers had been prepared to come to your parts; but, inasmuch as your letter had signified to us that the enemy were…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII II.2 — To the Neapolitans. Gregory to the clergy, nobles, gentry, and commonalty dwelling at Naples. Although the sincere devotion of spiritual sons in behalf of their mother Church needs no exhortation, nevertheless, it…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII II.3 — To Maximianus, Bishop of Syracuse. Gregory to Maximianus, &c. We execute more efficiently our heavenly commission, if we share our burdens with our brethren. For this cause we appoint thee, our most reverend brother…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII II.4 — To the Neapolitans. Gregory to the gentry and commonalty (ordini et plebi) residing at Naples. The communication you have addressed to us has made manifest what your opinion is of our brother and fellow-bishop…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII II.5 — To Paulus, Bishop of Naples. Gregory to Paulus, &c. If we administer safely the priestly office which we have received, without doubt both Divine assistance and the affection of our spiritual sons will not be wanting…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII II.6 — To Castorius, Bishop of Ariminum. Gregory to Castorius, &c. The illustrious lady Timothea has intimated to us by a petitionary notification, as is set forth below, that she has founded an oratory within the city of…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII II.7 — To Paul, Bishop. Gregory to Paul, &c. I appointed thy Fraternity to preside for the present over the church of Naples, to the end that thou mightest convert all thou canst to God by persuasive preaching. And, while…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII II.8 — To Natalis, Bishop of Salona. Gregory to Natalis, &c. I have learnt, dearest brother, from many who have come from thy city that, neglecting thy pastoral charge, thou occupiest thyself wholly in feastings: which…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII II.9 — To all the Bishops of Dalmatia. Gregory to all the bishops constituted throughout Dalmatia. Though desiring to visit your Fraternity frequently through the intercourse of letters, yet, when some special case demands…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII II.10 — To Antoninus, Subdeacon. Gregory to Antoninus, &c. Honoratus, archdeacon of the Church of Salona, had demanded from my predecessor of holy memory, in a petition that he sent, that he should by no means be forced by…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII II.11 — To all the Bishops of Illyricum. Gregory to all the bishops, &c. It both affords us joy for your carefulness, and makes your Fraternity safe in your own ordination, if the order of ancient custom is maintained.…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII II.12 — To John, Bishop. Gregory to John, Bishop of Prima Justiniana in Illyricum. It is clearly a manifest evidence of goodness that the consent of all should concur in the election of one person. Since, then, the account…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII II.13 — To John, Bishop. Gregory to John, &c. Inasmuch as we have enjoined on our brother and fellow-bishop Paulus the work of the visitation of the Neapolitan church, therefore let not Fraternity shrink from assuming the…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII II.14 — To Rusticiana, Patrician. Gregory to Rusticiana, &c. On receiving the epistle of your Excellency I was relieved by the welcome news of your welfare, hoping that the Lord in His mercy may protect and direct your life…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII II.15 — To Maurilius and Vitalianus. Gregory to Maurilius and Vitalianus, magistris militum. On receiving your Glory’s letters we gave thanks to God that we were assured of your safety; and we greatly rejoiced at your…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII II.16 — To Maurilius and Vitalianus. Gregory to Maurilius and Vitalianus, magistris militum. We have entreated your Glory through our son Vitalianus both by word and letter, charging you to communicate with him. But on the…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII II.17 — To Peter, Subdeacon of Sicily. Gregory to Peter, &c. By information received from Romanus the guardian (defensore) I have learnt that the monastery of handmaidens of God which is on the farm of Monotheus has suffered…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII II.18 — To Justinus, Prætor. Gregory to Justinus, &c. The spite of the ancient foe has this way of its own, that in the case of those whom, through God resisting him, he cannot delude into the perpetration of evil deeds, he…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII II.19 — To Maximianus, Bishop of Syracuse. Gregory to Maximianus, &c. I remember to have often admonished you to be by no means hasty in passing sentence. And lo, I have now learnt that your Fraternity in a fit of anger has…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII II.20 — To the Abbot Eusebius. Gregory to Eusebius, &c. Let thy Charity believe me that I have been greatly saddened for thy sadness, as though I had myself suffered wrong in thee. But, when I afterwards learnt that, even…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII II.21 — To John, Bishop of Squillacium (Squillace, in Calabria). Gregory to John, &c. The care of our pastoral office warns us to appoint for bereaved churches bishops of their own, who may govern the Lord’s flock with…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII II.22 — To Castorius, Bishop. Gregory to Castorius, Bishop of Ariminum (Rimini). What lamentable supplications have been poured out to us by Luminosus, abbot of the monastery of St. Andrew and St. Thomas, in the city of…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII II.23 — To Luminosus, Abbot. Gregory to Luminosus, abbot of the monastery of Saint Thomas of Ariminum. We were glad to receive thine own and thy congregation’s petition, and accede to thy requests, in accordance with the…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII II.24 — To John, Bishop. Gregory to John, Bishop of Ravenna. That I have not replied to the many letters of your Blessedness attribute not to sluggishness on my part, but to weakness, seeing that, on account of my sins, when…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII II.25 — To Dominicus, Bishop. Gregory to Dominicus, Bishop of Carthage. We have received with the utmost gratification the letters of your Fraternity, which have reached us somewhat late by the hands of Donatus and…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII II.26 — To Columbus, Bishop. Gregory to Columbus, &c. It is known, most dear brother in Christ, that the ancient enemy, who by cunning persuasion deposed the first man from the delights of Paradise to this life of care, and…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII II.27 — To Januarius, Archbishop. Gregory to Januarius, archbishop of Caralis (Cagliari). If with integrity of heart we consider the priestly office which we administer, the concord of personal charity ought so to unite us…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII II.28 — To All Bishops. Gregory to all bishops in the matter of the Three Chapters. I have received your letters with the utmost gratification: but I shall have far abundant joy, if it should be my lot to rejoice in your…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII II.29 — To Natalis, Bishop. Gregory to Natalis, Bishop of Salona. As though forgetting the tenour of former letters, I had determined to say nothing to your Blessedness but what should savour of sweetness: but, now that in…vatican.va
• Epistles, Books I–VIII II.30 — Here follows the Epistle of Saint Licinianus, bishop, concerning the Book of Rules, addressed to Saint Gregory, pope of the city of Rome. Here follows the Epistle of Saint Licinianus, bishop, concerning the Book of…vatican.va