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 …
gelasius_i · c. 493 · score 0.02
We had grieved until now at the barbarian raids devastating the provinces nearest to the city and the cruel tempest of wars, but as much as amid the very fervent dangers of recent calamities we have discovered, the devil has inflicted a more pernicious ruin upon the minds of Christians than hostile savagery has upon th …
gelasius_i · c. 492 · score 0.02
We had grieved until now at the barbarian raids devastating the provinces nearest to the city and at the cruel tempest of war, but as much as we have discovered amid the very fervent dangers of recent calamities, the devil has inflicted a more pernicious ruin upon the minds of Christians than hostile savagery has upon …
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 …
symmachus · c. 375 · score 0.02
[This entry preserves only a heading reference to the year 389 AD. The main text of the letter has been lost in transmission.]
pelagius_ii · c. 585 · score 0.01
May God therefore command him to come swiftly to our rescue, before the army of this most wicked nation — God forbid — is able to seize the places still held by the state. For "those who act wickedly shall be cut off, and the enemies" [Psalm 36:9] of the Lord shall perish. Send the priest back to us quickly, God willin …
gregory_great · c. 590 · score 0.01
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 …
innocent_i · c. 406 · score 0.01
Rescript of the Emperor Honorius sent to the Emperor Arcadius. 1. Although regarding the statue of a woman, carried about through the provinces as a new precedent, and through the talk of detractors spread throughout the whole world, I have already urged in other letters that through repentance for such a deed and aban …
gregory_great · c. 594 · score 0.01
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 0.01
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 …
pelagius_ii · c. 585 · score 0.01
Pelagius, bishop of the city of Rome, to his most beloved brother Aunarius. I write to commend to you the orthodox faith of the Frankish kings, and to urge you to use your influence with them on a matter of the gravest practical importance. The Lombards who occupy much of Italy are not merely a military threat to the r …
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 …
pelagius_ii · c. 585 · score 0.01
Pelagius, bishop, to his beloved son Gregory, deacon [Gregory was serving as the papal ambassador (apocrisiarius) at the imperial court in Constantinople]. We have taken care to inform you of everything necessary through Honoratus the notary, whom we have sent to you along with our brother and fellow bishop Sebastianus …
symmachus · c. 370 · score 0.01
[This letter survives only as a fragment -- the main text has been lost in transmission.]
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 …
symmachus · c. 375 · score 0.01
[Note: The source text survives only as a single sentence fragment, likely due to a lacuna in the manuscript tradition.] It is proper to inhabit it, impious and cruel to abandon it. Farewell.
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 …