Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series • VOLUME 12
Leo the Great & Gregory the Great
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Epistle XXXV.
Epistle XXXV. To Victor and Columbus, Bishops [1559] . Gregory to Victor and Columbus, Bishops of Africa. After what manner a disease, if neglected in its beginning, acquires strength we have proved from our own necessities, whosoever of us have had our lot in this life. If, then, it were met by the foresight of skilful physi…
968 wordsSECTION 242Epistle XXXVIII.
Epistle XXXVIII. To Queen Theodelinda. Gregory to Theodelinda, Queen of the Lombards [1563] . It has come to our knowledge from the report of certain persons that your Glory has been led on by some bishops even to the offence against holy Church of suspending yourself from the communion of Catholic unanimity. Now the more we …
1,565 wordsSECTION 243Epistle XLVI.
Epistle XLVI. To Rusticiana, Patrician. Gregory to Rusticiana, &c. On receiving your Excellency's letters I was glad to hear that you had reached Mount Sinai. But believe me, I too should have liked to go with you, but by no means to return with you. And yet I find it very difficult to believe that you have been at the holy p…
862 wordsSECTION 244Book V.
Book V. Epistle II. To Felix, Bishop, and Cyriacus, Abbot [1575] . Gregory to Felix, &c. The tenor of the report submitted to you sufficiently explains the complaint of the religious lady Theodosia, in which we have found on reading it many heads of accusation, not befitting priestly gentleness, against our brother and fello…
1,125 wordsSECTION 245Epistle V.
Epistle V. To Dominicus, Bishop. Gregory to Dominicus, Bishop of Carthage. Prosper your delegate (responsalis), the bearer of these presents, has been with us, and after other expressions of your charity handed us your second letters with an allegation of the imperial commands, and a paper giving an account of the synod that …
1,062 wordsSECTION 246Epistle XI.
Epistle XI. To John, Bishop. Gregory to John, Bishop of Ravenna. I find that your Fraternity is greatly distressed on account of being forbidden by the censure of reason to wear the pallium in litanies. But through the most excellent Patrician, and through the most eminent Prefect, and through other noble men of your city, yo…
1,067 wordsSECTION 247Epistle XVII.
Epistle XVII. To Cyprian, Deacon [1583] . Gregory to Cyprian, &c. I received your letters of most bitter import about the death of the Lord Maximianus [1584] in the month of November. And he indeed has reached the rewards he longed for, but the unhappy people of the city of Syracuse is to be commiserated as not having been co…
2,323 wordsSECTION 248What, then, can we bishops say for ourselves, who have received a place of honour from the humility of our Redeemer, and yet imitate the pri
What, then, can we bishops say for ourselves, who have received a place of honour from the humility of our Redeemer, and yet imitate the pride of the enemy himself? Lo, we know our Creator to have descended from the summit of His loftiness that He might give glory to the human race, and we, created of the lowest, glory in the le…
1,218 wordsSECTION 249Epistle XIX.
Epistle XIX. To Sabinianus, Deacon [1589] . Gregory to Sabinianus, &c. In the cause of our brother the most reverend John, bishop of Constantinople, I have been unwilling to write two letters. But one I have drawn up briefly, which may seem to combine both requisites; that is to say, both honesty and kindness. Let therefore …
2,035 wordsSECTION 250Epistle XXI.
Epistle XXI. To Constantina Augusta [1593] . Gregory to Constantina, &c. Almighty God, who holds in His right hand the heart of your Piety, both protects us through you and prepares for you rewards of eternal remuneration for temporal deeds. For I have learnt from the letters of the deacon Sabinianus my responsalis with what …
1,594 wordsSECTION 251Epistle XXIII.
Epistle XXIII. To Castorius, Notary. Gregory to Castorius, &c. Our hearing of the death of our brother and fellow-bishop John [1594] has greatly saddened us especially as that city at this time has lost the solace of pastoral care. Wherefore, since very many advantages to the Church itself demand that, under the guidance of C…
804 wordsSECTION 252Epistle XXX.
Epistle XXX. To Mauricius Augustus. Gregory to Mauricius, &c. The Piety of my Lords, which has been wont mercifully to sustain your servants, has shone forth here in so kind a supply that the need of all the feeble has been relieved by the succour of your bounty. On this account we all with prayers and tears beseech Almighty …
762 wordsSECTION 253Epistle XXXIX.
Epistle XXXIX. To Anastasius, Bishop [1602] . Gregory to Anastasius, Bishop of Antioch. Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men of good will (Luke ii. 14), because that great river which once had left the rocks of Antioch dry has returned at length to its proper channel, and waters the subject valleys that are n…
841 wordsSECTION 254Epistle XL.
Epistle XL. To Mauricius Augustus. Gregory to Mauricius, &c. The Piety of my Lords in their most serene commands, while set on refuting me on certain matters, in sparing me has by no means spared me. For by the use therein of the term simplicity they politely call me silly. It is true indeed that in Holy Scripture, when simpl…
1,519 wordsSECTION 255Epistle XLI.
Epistle XLI. To Constantina Augusta. Gregory to Constantina, &c. Knowing how my most serene Lady thinks about the heavenly country and the life of her soul, I consider that I should be greatly in fault were I to keep silence on matters that ought to be represented to her for the fear of God. Having ascertained that there are…
770 wordsSECTION 256Epistle XLII.
Epistle XLII. To Sebastian, Bishop. Gregory to Sebastian, Bishop of Sirmium. I have received the most sweet and pleasant letter of thy Fraternity, which, though you are never absent from my heart, has nevertheless made your Holiness as it were present with me bodily. But I beseech Almighty God to protect you with His right ha…
2,424 wordsSECTION 257Epistle XLVIII.
[1612] Cf. V. 18, and note. Epistle XLVIII. To Andrew, Scholasticus [1613] . Gregory to Andrew, &c. We have been desirous of carrying out the wish of the most excellent the lord Patrician as to the person of Donatus, the archdeacon; but, seeing that it is very dangerous to the soul to lay hands on any one rashly, we took car…
711 wordsSECTION 258Epistle LII.
Epistle LII. To John, Archbishop. Gregory to John, Archbishop of the Corinthians. The equity and solicitude of Secundinus our brother and fellow-bishop, which had been well known to us of old, is shewn also by the tenor of your letters. In this matter he has greatly pleased us, and made us glad, in that in the cause of Anasta…
732 wordsSECTION 259Epistle LIII.
Epistle LIII. To Virgilius, Bishop. Gregory to Virgilius, Bishop of Arelate (Arles). O how good is charity, which through an image in the mind exhibits what is absent as present to ourselves, through love unites what is divided, settles what is confused, associates things that are unequal, completes things that are imperfect!…
1,477 wordsSECTION 260Epistle LIV.
Epistle LIV. To all the Bishops of the Kingdom of Childebert. Gregory to all the Bishops of Gaul who are under the kingdom of Childebert [1620] . To this end has the provision of the divine dispensation appointed that there should be diverse degrees and distinct orders, that, while the inferiors shew reverence to the more pow…
864 wordsSECTION 261Epistle LV.
Epistle LV. To King Childebert. Gregory to Childebert, king of the Franks [1621] . The letter of your Excellency has made us exceedingly glad, testifying as it does that you are careful, with pious affection, of the honour and reverence due to priests. For you thus shew to all that you are faithful worshippers of God, while y…
845 wordsSECTION 262Epistle LVI.
Epistle LVI. To Marinianus, Bishop. Gregory to Marinianus, Bishop of Ravenna. Moved by the benevolence of the Apostolical See and the order of ancient custom, we have thought fit to grant the use of the pallium to thy Fraternity, who art known to have undertaken the office of government in the Church of Ravenna [1622] . And r…
1,160 wordsSECTION 263Epistle LVIII.
Epistle LVIII. To all the Bishops throughout Helladia [1626] . Gregory to all bishops constituted in the province of Helladia. I return thanks with you, dearest brethren, to Almighty God, who has caused the hidden sore which the ancient enemy had introduced to come to the knowledge of all, and has cut it away by a wholesome i…
812 wordsSECTION 264Book VI.
Book VI. Epistle I. To Marinianus, Bishop. Gregory to Marinianus, Bishop of Ravenna. As unjust demands should not be conceded, so the petition of such as desire what is lawful ought not to be set aside. Now your Fraternity's presbyters, deacons and clergy have presented to us a petition complaining that the late John, your p…
702 wordsSECTION 265Epistle III.
Epistle III. To Maximus of Salona. Gregory to Maximus, pretender to the Church of Salona [1630] . As often as anything is said to have been done contrary to ecclesiastical discipline, we dare not leave it unexamined, lest we should be guilty before God for connivance. Now it has come to our ears that thou wast ordained by mea…
1,154 wordsSECTION 266Epistle VI.
Epistle VI. To King Childebert. Gregory to Childebert, King of the Franks [1635] . As much as royal dignity is above that of other men, so much in truth does the high position of your kingdom excel that of the kingdoms of other nations. And yet to be a king is not extraordinary, there being others also; but to be a Catholic, …
713 wordsSECTION 267Epistle VIII.
Epistle VIII. To the Bishops of Epirus. Gregory to Theodorus, Demetrius, Philip, Zeno, and Alcissonus, Bishops of Epirus. The notification of your letters, most dear brethren, has made known to us that our brother Andrew has, by the favour of God, been solemnly ordained bishop of the city of Nicopolis. And, since you signify …
721 wordsSECTION 268Epistle XII.
Epistle XII. To Montana and Thomas. Gregory to Montana, &c. Since our Redeemer, the Maker of every creature, vouchsafed to assume human flesh for this end, that, the chain of slavery wherewith we were held being broken by the grace of His Divinity, He might restore us to pristine liberty, it is a salutary deed if men whom nat…
1,390 wordsSECTION 269Epistle XV.
Epistle XV. To John, Bishop. Gregory to John, Bishop of Constantinople. As the pravity of heretics is to be repressed by the zeal of a right faith, so the integrity of a true confession is to be embraced. For, if one who declares himself sound in the faith is scorned, the faith of all is brought into doubt, and fatal errors a…
974 wordsSECTION 270Epistle XVII.
Epistle XVII. To Theotistus. Gregory to Theotistus, kinsman of the Emperor. We know that the Christianity of your Excellency is always intent on good works and therefore we provide for you occasions for reaping reward, which you are certain to be glad of, so that we by so providing may have a share in your merits. We therefo…
1,027 wordsSECTION 271Epistle XXV.
Epistle XXV. To Maximus of Salona. Gregory to Maximus, intruder in the Church of Salona [1648] . While, seeking this or that excuse, thou deferrest obedience to our letters, while thou puttest off coming to us for ascertainment of the truth after being so often admonished, thou lendest credibility all the more to what is alle…
1,027 wordsSECTION 272Epistle XXVI.
Epistle XXVI. To the Salonitans. Gregory to his most beloved sons, the clergy and nobles dwelling at Salona [1650] . It has come to my ears, that certain men of perverse disposition, in order to poison your minds, beloved, have tried to insinuate to you that I am moved by some grudge against Maximus, and that I am desiring to…
1,316 wordsSECTION 273Epistle XXIX.
Epistle XXIX. To Marinianus, Bishop. Gregory to Marinianus, Bishop of Ravenna [1652] . We wonder why the discernment of thy Fraternity should have been so changed in a short time that it does not consider what it asks for. On this account we grieve, since thou affordest manifest proof that the words of evil counsellors have a…
1,024 wordsSECTION 274Epistle XXXII.
Epistle XXXII. To Fortunatus, Bishop. Gregory to Fortunatus, Bishop of Neapolis (Naples). We have written before now to your Fraternity that, if any [slaves] by the inspiration of God, desire to come from Jewish superstition to the Christian faith, their masters have no liberty to sell them, but that from the time of their de…
845 wordsSECTION 275Epistle XXXV.
Epistle XXXV. To Anthemius, Subdeacon. Gregory to Anthemius, our Neapolitan Sub-deacon [1658] . How great is our grief, and how great the affliction of our heart, from what has taken place in the regions of Campania we cannot express; but thou mayest thyself gather it from the greatness of the calamity. With regard to this st…
979 wordsSECTION 276Epistle XLIII.
Epistle XLIII. To Venantius, Patrician. Gregory to Venantius, Patrician, and Ex-monk [1661] . Your communication to us has found us much distressed from having become aware that offence has arisen between you and John our brother and fellow-bishop, in whose agreement with you we were desirous of rejoicing. For, whatever the c…
863 wordsSECTION 277Epistle XLVIII.
Epistle XLVIII. To Urbicus, Abbot. Gregory to Urbicus, Abbot of Saint Hermes, which is situated in Panormus. Whosoever, incited by divine inspiration, hastens to leave the employments of this world and to be converted to God should so be received with charity, and refreshed in all ways with kind consolations, that, by the hel…
1,226 wordsSECTION 278Epistle LII.
Epistle LII. To Pelagius and Serenus, Bishops. Gregory to Pelagius of Turni [1667] and Serenus of Masilia (Marseilles) Bishops of Gaul. A paribus [1668] . Although with priests who have the charity that is well pleasing to God religious men need no commendation, yet, since an apt time for writing has offered itself, we have t…
844 wordsSECTION 279Epistle LV.
Epistle LV. To Protasius, Bishop. Gregory to Protasius, Bishop of Aquæ in Gaul (Aix). How great love of the blessed Peter, Prince of the apostles, distinguishes you is evident, not only from the prerogative of your office, but also from the devotion you bestow on what is to the advantage of his Church. And having learnt that …
933 wordsSECTION 280Epistle LVIII.
Epistle LVIII. To Theodoric and Theodebert [1672] . Gregory to Theodoric and Theodebert, brethren, Kings of the Franks. A paribus [1673] . Since Almighty God has adorned your kingdom with rectitude of faith, and has made it conspicuous among other nations by the purity of its Christian religion, we have conceived great expect…
854 wordsSource & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.