Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series • VOLUME 12
Leo the Great & Gregory the Great
SECTION 201
Epistle XXXIII.
[1423] Conductores. See I. 44, note 6. [1424] Presbyterium. The term, as here used, means apparently a pecuniary allowance to presbyters. Cf. V. 33, Ad Gaudentiam Episcopum; "Fraternitatem tuam præsentibus hortamur affatibus ut clericis Capuanæ Ecclesiæ quartam in presbyterium eorum de hoc quod ante dictæ ecclesiæ singulis anni…
754 wordsSECTION 202Epistle XXXIV.
Epistle XXXIV. 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 excommunicated the most reverend abbot Eusebius. Now I am much astonished that neither his forme…
873 wordsSECTION 203Epistle XLI.
Epistle XLI. 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 Ariminum, appears from the text of the subjoined petition. With regard to this matter we exhort thy Fr…
1,047 wordsSECTION 204Epistle XLII.
Epistle XLII. 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 statutes of the Fathers and with form of law. For to our brother and fellow-bishop Castorius a lette…
1,505 wordsSECTION 205Epistle XLVII.
Epistle XLVII. To Dominicus, Bishop. Gregory to Dominicus, Bishop of Carthage [1454] . We have received with the utmost gratification the letters of your Fraternity, which have reached us somewhat late by the hands of Donatus and Quodvultdeus, our most reverend brethren and fellow-bishops, and also Victor the deacon with Agil…
1,025 wordsSECTION 206Epistle XLVIII.
Epistle XLVIII. To Columbus, Bishop [1456] . 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 in him even then inflicted the penalty of mortality on the human race, does now with th…
918 wordsSECTION 207Epistle XLIX.
Epistle XLIX. 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 with our sons that, as we are fathers in name, so we should be proved by our affection to be so in…
1,439 wordsSECTION 208Epistle LII.
Epistle LII. To Natalis, Bishop [1463] . 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 your epistle you have recurred in the way of argumentation to preceding letters, I am once …
1,666 wordsSECTION 209Epistle LIV.
Epistle LIV. Here follows the Epistle of Saint Licinianus, bishop, concerning the Book of Rules, addressed to Saint Gregory, pope of the city of Rome [1464] . To the most blessed Lord pope Gregory, Licinianus, bishop. The Book of Rules issued by Thy Holiness, and by the aid of divine grace conveyed to us, we have read with al…
1,693 wordsSECTION 210Book III.
Book III. Epistle I. To Peter, Subdeacon. Gregory to Peter, Subdeacon of Campania. What a crime has been committed in the Lucullan fort against our brother and fellow-bishop Paul [1467] the account which has been sent to us has made manifest. And, inasmuch as the magnificent Scholasticus, judge of Campania, happens at the pr…
754 wordsSECTION 211Epistle III.
Epistle III. To John, Abbot [1469] . Gregory to John, &c. Thy Love has requested me that brother Boniface might be ordained Prior (præpositus) [1470] in thy monastery; as to which request I wonder much why it has not been done before. For since the time when I caused him to be given to thee thou oughtest already to have ordai…
730 wordsSECTION 212Epistle VI.
Epistle VI. To John, Bishop. Gregory to John, bishop of Prima Justiniana [1472] . After the long afflictions which Adrian, bishop of the city of Thebæ, has endured from his fellow-priests, as though they had been his enemies, he has fled for refuge to the Roman city. And though his first representation had been against John, …
1,371 wordsSECTION 213Epistle VII.
Epistle VII. To John, Bishop. Gregory to John, bishop of Larissa. Our brother Adrian, bishop of the city of Thebæ, has come to Rome, bitterly complaining of having been condemned, neither lawfully nor canonically, on certain charges by thy Fraternity, and also by John, bishop of Prima Justiniana. And, when for a long time we …
1,340 wordsSECTION 214Epistle VIII.
Epistle VIII. To Natalis, Archbishop. Gregory to Natalis, archbishop of Salona [1477] . Whilst every kind of business demands [1478] anxious investigation of the truth, what pertains to deposition from sacerdotal rank should be considered with especial strictness, since here the matter in hand is not concerning persons consti…
974 wordsSECTION 215Epistle XII.
Epistle XII. To Maximianus, Bishop. Gregory to Maximianus, bishop of Syracuse I wrote some time ago to your Fraternity desiring you to send to the Roman city those who had alleged anything against Gregory, bishop of the city of Agrigentum [1481] . And we exhort you by this present epistle that this should be immediately done.…
1,083 wordsSECTION 216Epistle XXIX.
Epistle XXIX. To the Presbyters and Clergy of Mediolanum (Milan) [1485] . Gregory to the presbyters, deacons, and clergy of the church of Mediolanum. We have received your Love's epistle, which, though it bore no subscription, was accredited by the persons of the bearers, the presbyter Magnus and the cleric Hippolytus. Having…
898 wordsSECTION 217Epistle XXX.
Epistle XXX. To John, Subdeacon. Gregory to John, &c. Inasmuch as it is manifest that the Apostolic See is, by the ordering of God, set over all Churches, there is, among our manifold cares, especial demand for our attention, when our decision is awaited with a view to the consecration of a bishop. Now on the death of Laurent…
799 wordsSECTION 218Epistle XXXIII.
Epistle XXXIII. To Dynamius, Patrician. Gregory to Dynamius, Patrician of Gaul. He who administers faithfully what is other's shews how well he dispenses what is his own. And this your Glory makes manifest to us in that, intent on your annual offering, you have rendered the blessed Peter, Prince of the apostles, the fruits of…
858 wordsSECTION 219Epistle XXXVIII.
Epistle XXXVIII. To Libertinus, Præfect [1491] . Gregory to Libertinus, Præfect of Sicily. From the very beginning of your administration God has willed you to go forth to vindicate His cause, and of His mercy has reserved for you this reward, with praise attending it. For it is reported that one Nasas, a most wicked Jew, has…
758 wordsSECTION 220Epistle XLVI.
Epistle XLVI. To John, Bishop. Gregory to John, Bishop of Calliopolis [Gallipoli, in Calabria]. From the reports sent to us by thy Fraternity it appears that Andrew, our brother and fellow-bishop, undoubtedly had a concubine. But, since it is uncertain whether he has touched her while constituted in sacred orders, it is neces…
2,002 wordsSECTION 221Epistle XLVIII.
Epistle XLVIII. To Columbus, Bishop [1497] . Gregory to Columbus, &c. Even before receiving thy Fraternity's letter, I knew thee from the report of thy deserved reputation to be a good servant of God. And now that I have received it, I understand more fully that what fame had already spread abroad was well founded; and I grea…
1,164 wordsSECTION 222Epistle LI.
Epistle LI. To Maximianus, Bishop. Gregory to Maximinianus, Bishop of Syracuse [1499] . My brethren who live with me familiarly urge me by all means to write something briefly about the miracles of the Fathers done in Italy, which we have heard of. With this view I am in great need of the assistance of your Charity, to mentio…
1,842 wordsSECTION 223Epistle LVI.
Epistle LVI. To John, Bishop. Gregory to John, Bishop of Ravenna [1504] . It is not long since certain things had been told us about thy Fraternity concerning which we remember having declared ourselves in full, when Castorius, notary of the holy church over which we preside, went into your parts. For it had come to our ears …
1,767 wordsSECTION 224Epistle LVII.
Epistle LVII. From John, Bishop of Ravenna to Pope Gregory [1507] . My most reverend fellow-servant Castorius, notary of your Apostolical See, has delivered to me my Lord's epistle, compounded of honey and of venom; which has yet so infixed its stings as still to leave place for healing appliances. For my Lord, while he reprov…
990 wordsSECTION 225Epistle LIX.
Epistle LIX. To Secundinus, Bishop. Gregory to Secundinus, Bishop of Tauromenium. [In Sicily.] Some time ago we ordered that the baptistery [1511] should be removed from the monastery of Saint Andrew, which is above Mascalæ, because of inconvenience to the monks, and that an altar should be erected in the place where the font…
953 wordsSECTION 226Epistle LXV.
Epistle LXV. To Mauricius Augustus [1514] . Gregory to Mauricius, &c. He is guilty before Almighty God who is not pure of offence towards our most serene lords in all he does and says. I, however, unworthy servant of your Piety, speak in this my representation neither as a bishop, nor as your servant in right of the republic,…
1,052 wordsSECTION 227Epistle LXVI.
Epistle LXVI. To Theodorus, Physician. Gregory to Theodorus, &c. What benefits I enjoy from Almighty God and my most serene lord the Emperor my tongue cannot fully express. For these benefits what return is it in me to make, but to love their footsteps sincerely? But, on account of my sins, by whose suggestion or counsel I kn…
1,635 wordsSECTION 228Book IV.
Book IV. Epistle I. To Constantius, Bishop. Gregory to Constantius, Bishop of Mediolanum (Milan). On receiving the letters of your Fraternity I returned great thanks to Almighty God, that I was counted worthy to be refreshed by the celebration of your ordination. Truly that all, by the gift of God, with one accord concurred …
1,116 wordsSECTION 229Epistle III.
Epistle III. To Constantius, Bishop. Gregory to Constantius, Bishop of Mediolanum. It has come to my knowledge that certain bishops of your diocese, seeking out rather than finding an occasion, have attempted to sever themselves from the unity of your Fraternity, saying that thou hadst given a security [1524] at the Roman cit…
909 wordsSECTION 230Epistle V.
Epistle V. To Boniface, Bishop. Gregory to Boniface, Bishop of Regium (Reii). It is a shame for priests to be admonished about matters of divine worship. For they are then to their disgrace required to do what they ought themselves to require to be done. Yet lest, as I do not suppose, thy Fraternity should neglect in any resp…
855 wordsSECTION 231Epistle VIII.
Epistle VIII. To Januarius, Bishop. Gregory to Januarius, Bishop of Caralis (Cagliari). We think indeed that thy position may in itself be enough to compel thee to be instant in the fulfilment of pious duties. But, lest remissness of any kind should intervene to abate thy zeal, we have thought it right to exhort thee especial…
1,259 wordsSECTION 232Epistle X.
Epistle X. To All the Bishops of Dalmatia. Gregory to all the bishops through Dalmatia [1533] . It behoved your Fraternity, having the eyes of the flesh closed out of regard to Divine judgment, to have omitted nothing that appertains to God and to a right inclination of mind, nor to have preferred the countenance of any man w…
1,105 wordsSECTION 233Epistle XV.
Epistle XV. To Januarius, Bishop. Gregory to Januarius, Bishop of Caralis (Cagliari). Theodosia, a religious lady, being desirous of carrying out the intention of her late husband Stephen by the building of a monastery [1536] , has begged us to transmit our letters to your Fraternity, whereby, through our commendation, she ma…
859 wordsSECTION 234Epistle XX.
Epistle XX. To Maximus, Pretender (Præsumptorem) [1539] . Gregory to Maximus, Pretender in Salona. Though the merits of any one's life were in other respects such as to offer no impediment to his ordination to priestly offices, yet the crime of canvassing in itself is condemned by the severest strictness of the canons. Now we…
715 wordsSECTION 235Epistle XXIII.
Epistle XXIII. To Hospito, Duke of the Barbaricini [1542] . Gregory to Hospito, &c. Since no one of thy race is a Christian, I hereby know that thou art better than all thy race, in that thou in it art found to be a Christian. For, while all the Barbaricini live as senseless animals, know not the true God, but adore stocks an…
1,016 wordsSECTION 236Epistle XXVI.
Epistle XXVI. To Januarius, Bishop. Gregory to Januarius, Bishop of Caralis (Cagliari). We have ascertained from the report of our fellow-bishop Felix and the abbot Cyriacus that in the island of Sardinia priests are oppressed by lay judges, and that thy ministers despise thy Fraternity; and that, so far as appears, while you…
1,448 wordsSECTION 237Epistle XXVII.
Epistle XXVII. To Januarius, Bishop. Gregory to Januarius, Bishop of Caralis (Cagliari). Thy Fraternity ought indeed to have been so attentive to pious duties as to be in no need at all of our admonitions to induce thee to fulfil them: yet, as certain particulars that require correction have come to our knowledge, there is no…
730 wordsSECTION 238Epistle XXIX.
Epistle XXIX. To Januarius, Bishop. Gregory to Januarius, Bishop of Caralis (Cagliari). It has come to our knowledge that in the place within the province of Sardinia called Phausiana it is said to have been once the custom to ordain a bishop; but that, through stress of circumstances, the custom has for long fallen into disu…
1,338 wordsSECTION 239Epistle XXXI.
Epistle XXXI. To Theodorus, Physician. Gregory to Theodorus, Physician to the Emperor. I myself give thanks to Almighty God, that distance does not separate the hearts of those who truly love each other mutually. For lo, most sweet and glorious son, we are far apart in body, and yet are present with each other in charity. Thi…
848 wordsSECTION 240Epistle XXXII.
Epistle XXXII. To Narses the Patrician. Gregory to Narses, &c. Your most sweet Charity has said much to me in your letters in praise of my good deeds, to all which I briefly reply, Call me not Noemi, that is beautiful; but call me Mara, that is bitter; for I am full of bitterness (Ruth i. 20). But as to the cause of the pres…
1,161 wordsSource & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.