Resultados25 letters/passages
gregory_great · c. 590 · score 0.02
The barbarian invasions that continue to afflict Illyricum have produced a particular tragedy that I must address: bishops driven from their sees, wandering without resources, without community, without the basic means of life. This is a pastoral emergency, and I write to you collectively to demand a response equal to …
gregory_great · c. 590 · score 0.02
Book I, Letter 41 To Peter, Subdeacon [Gregory's delegate in Sicily]. Gregory to Peter. The venerable Paulinus, bishop of the city of Taurianum in Bruttium [the toe of the Italian peninsula, modern Calabria], has told us that his monks were scattered by barbarian invasions [likely Lombard raids] and are now wandering t …
gregory_great · c. 600 · score 0.02
Gregory to Maximus, Bishop of Salona. When our mutual friend the priest Veteranus arrived in Rome, he found me so weakened by gout that I could not personally answer your Fraternity's letters. Regarding the Slavic nation [the Slavs, who were pressing into the Balkans and threatening the Dalmatian coast], from which you …
gregory_great · c. 590 · score 0.02
Book I, Letter 17 To all the Bishops of Italy. Gregory to all. The detestable Authari [king of the Lombards, the Germanic people who had invaded and occupied much of Italy] during this recently completed Easter season forbade the children of Lombards from being baptized in the Catholic faith. For this sin, God struck h …
gregory_great · c. 594 · score 0.02
Gregory to the Emperor Mauricius. Our most devout and God-appointed sovereign, among his many pressing cares, also watches over the preservation of peace among the clergy with genuine spiritual concern -- rightly and wisely recognizing that no one can govern earthly affairs well unless he knows how to handle the things …
gregory_great · c. 597 · score 0.02
Gregory to all bishops of Sicily. Word has come of an imminent barbarian threat against Sicily. In response, I direct all bishops throughout the island to lead their communities in two weeks of litanies [solemn processions with prayer and fasting — a standard response to public danger in Gregory's church]. This is not …
gregory_great · c. 594 · score 0.01
Whatever it was my duty to do in humility, I have not neglected. But if I am disregarded in my reproof, I will have no choice but to bring the matter before the Church. May Almighty God show you, brother, how great a love for you constrains me in saying these things, and how deeply I grieve in this matter -- not agains …
gregory_great · c. 590 · score 0.01
Book I, Letter 50 To Anthemius the Subdeacon [Gregory's administrative agent]. Gregory to Anthemius. Since God has seen fit to place the burden of governance upon us, we must be watchful for the souls entrusted to our care. We have learned that on the Eumorphian island [a small island off the Italian coast], where ther …
gregory_great · c. 591 · score 0.01
Gregory to John, bishop of Velitrae. Given the present dangers [the Lombard invasions that were making many Italian towns unsafe], the episcopal seat of your church is to be transferred to a more secure location. This decision has been made for the safety of the clergy and people and for the continuation of proper epis …
gregory_great · c. 591 · score 0.01
Gregory to Jovinus, prefect of Illyricum. Word has reached me that a province which had been devastated by barbarian ravages is being restored and rebuilt under your governance. This news brings me genuine joy — not merely because the province is important, but because it suggests that the qualities of a good administr …
gregory_great · c. 593 · score 0.01
Gregory to Hospito, Duke of the Barbaricini. Since no one else of your people is a Christian, I know you are better than all your kinsmen — for you alone among them have been found to be a Christian. While all the Barbaricini live like mindless animals, not knowing the true God but worshipping sticks and stones, the ve …
gregory_great · c. 594 · score 0.01
Since the city of Aufinum has been recovered, with God's help, and since great care must be taken for its church, especially since Hospoton, the master of soldiers in Italy, has sought our help in this matter, we have taken care to send this present letter to your fraternity so that you may go there as visitor. You mus …
gregory_great · c. 604 · score 0.01
The work of bringing the Barbaricini to the faith is one of the projects closest to my heart, and Bonifacius has been doing important work among them. I want you to support him — practically, administratively, in whatever ways you can. This is difficult mission territory and those working there need the backing of the …
gregory_great · c. 590 · score 0.01
Book I, Letter 79 To Martinus, Bishop in Corsica. Gregory to Martinus. When people ask for what is just, we should listen with a willing ear, so that petitioners may find the remedy they hope for and the Church is not left without a shepherd's care. Since the church of Tanates [a town in Corsica], where Your Fraternity …
gregory_great · c. 602 · score 0.01
Gregory to Eulogius, Patriarch of Alexandria. The bearers of this letter, arriving in Sicily, were converted from the error of the Monophysites [who held that Christ has only one nature, divine, rather than two] and united themselves to the holy universal Church. Having come to the church of the blessed Peter, Prince o …
gregory_great · c. 591 · score 0.01
Book II, Letter 3 To Velox, Magister Militum [a senior military commander]. Gregory to Velox. We informed Your Glory some time ago that soldiers were ready to be sent to your area. However, since your letter warned us that the enemy had assembled and was marching toward us, we held them back. Now it seems beneficial to …
gregory_great · c. 592 · score 0.01
Book III, Letter 29 To the Priests and Clergy of Milan [one of the most important cities in northern Italy, close to Lombard-controlled territory]. Gregory to the priests, deacons, and clergy of the church of Milan. We have received your letter, which, though it speaks of your sufferings and difficulties, also reveals …
gregory_great · c. 594 · score 0.01
Before him, pagan rulers who knew nothing of the true God but worshipped idols of wood and stone still paid the highest respect to their priests. How much more fitting, then, that a Christian emperor should honor the priests of the true God, when pagan rulers knew how to honor priests who served gods of wood and stone? …
gregory_great · c. 591 · score 0.01
Book II, Letter 30 To Maurilius and Vitalianus [senior military commanders]. Gregory to Maurilius and Vitalianus, Magistri Militum. We have communicated with Your Glory through our son Vitalianus, both by word and by letter, urging you to coordinate with him. On the eleventh day of January, Ariulph [the Lombard Duke of …
gregory_great · c. 593 · score 0.01
Gregory to Zabardas, Duke of Sardinia. From the letters of my brother and fellow bishop Felix, and of the servant of God Cyriacus, we have learned of your Glory's fine qualities. We give great thanks to Almighty God that Sardinia has such a duke — one who knows how to fulfill his duty to the state in earthly matters wh …
gregory_great · c. 594 · score 0.01
Gregory to Cyprianus, deacon. The question has arisen about the schedule on which the bishops of Sicily are to make their visits to Rome. The old custom was every three years; I am establishing that the new arrangement will be every five years. This change is made in recognition of the difficulties of travel in the pre …
gregory_great · c. 601 · score 0.01
Brothers and sisters of Panormus, I have appointed Barbarus as your episcopal visitor, and I am writing to require your full obedience to his ministry. He comes with my authority and for your benefit. Do not resist him, do not obstruct his work, and do not use the absence of a permanent bishop as an excuse for failing …
gregory_great · c. 594 · score 0.01
Gregory to the Empress Constantina. Knowing how my most serene Lady thinks about the heavenly country and the welfare of her soul, I believe I would be greatly at fault if I kept silent about matters that ought to be brought to her attention for the fear of God. I learned that there are many natives on the island of Sa …
gregory_great · c. 597 · score 0.01
Praise be to God for the news you have sent me. The pacification of the territory near the Slavs is a relief beyond measure — the pastoral losses we have sustained in those regions from their incursions have been grievous, and every settlement that returns to peace is a cause for genuine rejoicing. I am also glad to he …
gregory_great · c. 602 · score 0.01
Gregory to Prejectus [Praeiectus], Bishop of Narni [city in Umbria, central Italy]. It has come to our attention that, on account of our pressing sins, a deadly plague is raging unchecked in your city of Narni — a matter that has grieved us greatly. For this reason, greeting your brotherhood in every way, we urge that …