Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series • VOLUME 13
Gregory the Great, Ephraim Syrus & Aphrahat
SECTION 41
Epistle XXXVII.
Epistle XXXVII. To Innocent, Præfect of Africa. Gregory to Innocent, &c. The lucid eloquence of your Eminence, seasoned with the honey of the heart, has so infused its savour into our inmost soul, and ravished us with love of it, that both what you write sounds sweet, and what you do has a pleasant savour; nor this without go…
2,258 wordsSECTION 42Epistle XLII.
Furthermore, we apprize you that in this place we suffer from serious difficulty for want of good interpreters. For there are none who can express the sense, while all ever try to translate the words exactly: and so they confuse the whole sense of what has been said. Whence it comes to pass that we are by no means able without s…
1,078 wordsSECTION 43Epistle LXII.
Epistle LXII. To the Neapolitans. Gregory to the clergy and noble citizens of Naples. It is not a new thing, nor is it reprehensible, that in the election of a bishop the votes of the people should be divided between two parties: but it is a serious matter when in cases of this kind the election goes not by judgment, but by f…
1,093 wordsSECTION 44Book XI.
Book XI. Epistle I. To John, Abbot. Gregory to John, Abbot of Mount Sina [123] . The Epistle of thy Humility testifies to the holiness of thy life; whence we give great thanks to Almighty God, for that we know that there are still some to pray for our sins. For we, under the colour of ecclesiastical government, are tossed in…
1,087 wordsSECTION 45Epistle XIII.
Epistle XIII. To Serenus, Bishop of Massilia (Marseilles) [128] . Gregory to Serenus, &c. The beginning of thy letter so showed thee to have in thee the good will that befits a priest as to cause us increased joy in thy Fraternity. But its conclusion was so at variance with its commencement that such an epistle might be attri…
1,325 wordsSECTION 46Epistle XXV.
Epistle XXV. To Januarius, Bishop of Caralis (Cagliari [133] ). Gregory to Januarius, &c. Know ye that your Fraternity's solicitude has pleased us, in that you have evinced, as was right, pastoral vigilance for the guardianship of souls. For indeed it has been reported to us that you have forbidden a monastery to be founded i…
2,120 wordsSECTION 47Epistle XXIX.
Epistle XXIX. To Bertha, Queen of the Angli [137] . Gregory to Bertha, &c. They who desire, after earthly dominion, to obtain the glory of a heavenly kingdom ought to labour earnestly to bring in gain to their Creator, that they may be able to rise by the steps of their operation to the things they long for; as we are glad to…
1,333 wordsSECTION 48Epistle XXXII.
Epistle XXXII. To Marinianus, Bishop of Ravenna. Gregory to Marinianus, &c. When the bearer of these presents, Candidus the abbot, came hither to ask for relics (which have also been granted), as much as I rejoiced in thy Fraternity's nursing aid, thy Fraternity's care for me being therein apparent, so much was I distressed t…
837 wordsSECTION 49Epistle XXXV.
Epistle XXXV. To Barbara and Antonina [140] . Gregory to Barbara, &c. Having received your Glory's letters, which spoke with tears for words, we, most beloved daughters, are affected by no less sorrow than yourselves for your father's sickness. For we cannot account that sadness as extraneous which is made our own by the law …
1,161 wordsSECTION 50Epistle XXXVII.
Epistle XXXVII. To Romanus, Guardian (Defensorem). Gregory to Romanus, Guardian of Sicily [146] . It has come to our knowledge that, if any one has a suit against any clerics, thou causest these clerics to be brought before thee for judgment, setting at nought their bishops. If this be so, seeing that it is evidently very uns…
2,230 wordsSECTION 51Epistle XLV.
[150] See II. 27, note 2. [151] The gifts that had been sent were, as appears below, veils or hangings (vela) for the shrine of St. Peter in the Vatican basilica. [152] Strategius (as appears from other letters) was the young grandson of Rusticiana, being the child of Appio and Eusebia. See II. 27, note 2. Epistle XLV. To Th…
2,531 wordsSECTION 52For to me, as you know, when I was resident at the footsteps of my lords in the royal city, many used to come of those who were accused with
For to me, as you know, when I was resident at the footsteps of my lords in the royal city, many used to come of those who were accused with respect to the aforesaid points. But I declare, my conscience bearing me witness, that I never found in them any error, any pravity, or anything of what was said against them. Whence also I…
2,059 wordsSECTION 53Epistle XLVI.
Epistle XLVI. To Isacius, Bishop of Jerusalem [159] . Gregory to Isacius, &c. In keeping with the truth of history, what means the fact that at the time of the flood the human race outside the ark dies, but within the ark is preserved unto life, but what we see plainly now, namely that all the unfaithful perish under the wave…
1,321 wordsSECTION 54Epistle XLVII.
Epistle XLVII. To Anatolius, Deacon at Constantinople. Gregory to Anatolius, &c. Thy Love has written to me that our most pious lord orders a successor to be appointed to my most reverend brother John, bishop of Prima Justiniana, on account of the ailment of the head from which he suffers, lest perchance that city, while with…
749 wordsSECTION 55Epistle LIV.
Epistle LIV. To Desiderius, Bishop of Gaul [165] . Gregory to Desiderius, &c. Many good things having been reported to us with regard to your pursuits, such joy arose in our heart that we could not bear to refuse what your Fraternity had requested to have granted to you. But it afterwards came to our ears, what we cannot ment…
980 wordsSECTION 56Epistle LVI.
Epistle LVI. To Ætherius, Bishop of Lugdunum (Lyons.) Gregory to Ætherius, Bishop of Gaul. The language of your epistles, full of venerable gravity, has so engaged our heart's affection that it would please us to be ever mingling mutual discourse, to the end that, if we cannot enjoy your bodily presence, absence may make no d…
971 wordsSECTION 57Epistle LVIII.
Epistle LVIII. To Divers Bishops of Gaul. Gregory to Mennas of Telona (Toulon), Serenus of Massilia (Marseilles), Lupus of Cabillonum (Châlons-sur-Saône), Aigulfus of Mettæ (Metz), Simplicius of Parisii (Paris), Melantius of Rotonius (Rouen), and Licinius [169] , bishops of the Franks. A paribus. Though the care of the office…
1,027 wordsSECTION 58Epistle LXI.
Epistle LXI. To Clotaire, King of the Franks [172] . Gregory to Clotaire, &c. Among so many cares and anxieties which you sustain for the government of the peoples under your sway, it is to your exceeding praise and great reward that you are helpers of those who labour in the cause of God. And, since you have shewn yourselves…
920 wordsSECTION 59Epistle LXIII.
Epistle LXIII. To Brunichild, Queen of the Franks. Gregory to Brunichild, &c. What good gifts have been conferred on you from above, and with what piety heavenly grace has filled you, this, among all the other proofs of your merits, intimates evidently to all that you both govern the savage hearts of barbarians with the skill…
2,319 wordsSECTION 60Augustine's ninth question.
Augustine's ninth question. I ask also how we should deal with the bishops of Gaul and of the Britons. Answer of the blessed pope Gregory. Over the bishops of Gaul we give thee no authority, since from the ancient times of my predecessors the bishop of Arelate (Arles) has received the pallium, and we ought by no means to depr…
2,223 wordsSECTION 61Nor do we, in saying these things, account wedlock as sin. But, since even the lawful intercourse of the wedded cannot take place without pl
Nor do we, in saying these things, account wedlock as sin. But, since even the lawful intercourse of the wedded cannot take place without pleasure of the flesh, entrance into a sacred place should be abstained from, because the pleasure itself can by no means be without sin. For he had not been born of adultery or fornication, b…
2,119 wordsSECTION 62Epistle LXV.
Epistle LXV. To Augustine, Bishop of the Angli [181] . Gregory to Augustine, &c. Though it is certain that for those who labour for Almighty God ineffable rewards of an eternal kingdom are reserved, yet we must needs bestow honours upon them, that by reason of remuneration they may apply themselves the more manifoldly in devo…
1,472 wordsSECTION 63Epistle LXVII.
Epistle LXVII. To Quiricus, Bishop, &c. Gregory to Quiricus, Bishop, and the other catholic bishops in Hiberia [183] . Since to charity nothing is afar off, let those who are divided in place be joined by letter. The bearer of these presents, coming to the Church of the blessed Peter, Prince of the apostles, asserted that he …
1,484 wordsSECTION 64Epistle LXVIII.
Epistle LXVIII. (To Virgilius, Bishop of Arelate (Arles).) Gregory to Virgilius, &c. What affection should be bestowed on brethren who come to us of their own accord is apparent from the fact that they are usually invited to visit us for the sake of charity. And so, if our common brother the bishop Augustine should chance to …
1,236 wordsSECTION 65Epistle LXXVII.
Epistle LXXVII. To Boniface, Guardian (Defensorem), in Corsica. Gregory to Boniface, &c. Thy experience is not free from blame, in that, knowing Aleria and Adjacium, cities of Corsica, to have been long without bishops, thou hast delayed admonishing their clergy and people to choose for themselves priests. But, since they oug…
925 wordsSECTION 66Book XII.
Book XII. Epistle I. To Dominicus, Bishop of Carthage. Gregory to Dominicus, &c. How abundant is the charity of your heart you shew by its interpreter--your tongue, while so seasoning the words of your epistles with its sweetness that all you write is pleasant and delightful. Hence it comes that we embrace your Fraternity in…
804 wordsSECTION 67Epistle XXIV.
Epistle XXIV. To John, Subdeacon of Ravenna [193] . Gregory to John, &c. Some monks who came to me from the monastery of the late abbot Claudius have petitioned me that the monk Constantius should be constituted their abbot. But I was exceedingly set against them as touching their petition, because they appeared to me to be a…
1,183 wordsSECTION 68Epistle XXV.
Epistle XXV. To Romanus, Guardian (Defensorem) [195] . Gregory to Romanus, &c. It is well known to thy Experience that Peter, whom we have made a guardian (defensorem), is sprung from the estate belonging to our Church which is called Vitelas. And so, since we ought to shew kindness towards him in such a way that nevertheless…
968 wordsSECTION 69Epistle XXIX.
Epistle XXIX. To Victor, Bishop [200] . Gregory to Victor, &c. While on the one hand it is a joy to us to learn that our brethren are solicitous about their children in fatherly charity, on the other we count it no less a matter for sadness when neither regard for other brethren nor consideration of their priestly office avai…
954 wordsSECTION 70Epistle L.
Epistle L. To Eulogius, Patriarch of Alexandria. Gregory to Eulogius, &c. The bearers of these presents, coming to Sicily, were converted from the error of the Monophysites, and united themselves to the holy universal Church. Having proceeded to the church of the blessed Peter, Prince of the apostles, they requested of me tha…
972 wordsSECTION 71Epistle V.
Epistle V. To Etherius, Bishop of Lugdunum (Lyons). Gregory to Etherius, Bishop. Although what we say is very distressing to us, and fraternal compassion rather moves us to weep than allows us to lay down anything concerning the things we have heard of, yet solicitude for the government undertaken by us pricks our heart with …
1,756 wordsSECTION 72Epistle VII.
Epistle VII. To Theoderic, King of the Franks [206] . Gregory to Theoderic, &c. We have received with joy your written address to us indicating your health and safety, and we thereby perceive that you so transcend your age in prudence as to make it evident that it is for the happiness of the nation of the Franks that the gove…
712 wordsSECTION 73Epistle IX.
Epistle IX. To Thalassia, Abbess. Gregory to Thalassia, &c. When the hearts of catholic kings are so inflamed with ardent desire, by divine grace preventing them, as of their own accord to demand the things that pontifical admonitions should provoke them to, such things are to be granted with cheerful and joyful mind all the …
764 wordsSECTION 74Epistle X.
Epistle X. To Lupo, Abbot. Gregory to Lupo, Presbyter and Abbot. When the hearts of catholic kings, &c. [208] [208] For the rest of this epistle see preceding Epistle IX., with which, mutatis mutandis, it is identical, as was Epistle VIII., save for an additional paragraph given under Epistle VIII. See what has been said wit…
703 wordsSECTION 75Epistle XVIII.
Epistle XVIII. To certain Bishops of Sicily. Gregory to Leo, Secundinus, John, Donus, Lucidus, Trajan, bishops of Sicily. Even as we are admonished through the speech of the apostles to impart one to another spiritual aids,--so, in matters that by God's ordering we may have to settle in virtue of the government imposed on us …
983 wordsSECTION 76Epistle XXVI.
Epistle XXVI. To Anthemius, Subdeacon. Gregory to Anthemius, Subdeacon of Campania. It has reached our ears that our brother and fellow-bishop Paschasius [214] is so idle and negligent in all ways that he is in no respect recognised as bishop; and that so neither his own Church, nor the monasteries, nor any, whether the sons …
809 wordsSECTION 77Epistle XXXI.
Epistle XXXI. To Phocas, Emperor [218] . Gregory to Phocas Augustus. Glory to God in the highest who, according as it is written, changes times, and transfers kingdoms, seeing that He has made apparent to all what He vouchsafed to speak by His prophet, That the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoev…
1,069 wordsSECTION 78Epistle XXXVIII.
Epistle XXXVIII. To Phocas, Emperor. Gregory to Phocas Augustus. It pleases us to consider, with rejoicings and great thanksgivings, what praises we owe to Almighty God, that the yoke of sadness has been removed, and we are come to times of liberty under the imperial Piety of your Benignity. For that your Serenity has not fou…
1,003 wordsSECTION 79Epistle XL.
Epistle XL. To Cyriacus, Patriarch of Constantinople. Gregory to Cyriacus, &c. Observing diligently, most dear brother, how great is the virtue of peace from the Lord's voice, which says, My peace I give unto you (Joh. xiv. 27), it becomes us so to abide in the love thereof as in no wise to give place to discord. But, since w…
1,359 wordsSECTION 80Book XIV.
Book XIV. Epistle II. To Vitalis, Guardian (Defensorem) of Sardinia. Gregory to Vitalis, &c. From the information given us by thy Experience we find that the hospitals [or guest-houses, xenodochia] founded in Sardinia are suffering from grievous neglect. Hence our most reverend brother and fellow-bishop Januarius [229] would…
1,051 wordsSource & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.