Letter 4024: Source. Translated by James Barmby. From Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, Vol.
Pope Gregory the Great→Zabardas, Duke of Sardinia|c. 593 AD|Pope Gregory the Great|Human translated
diplomatic
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 while also showing proper reverence to Almighty God for the sake of the heavenly homeland.
They have written to tell me that you are negotiating peace terms with the Barbaricini on conditions that would bring these same Barbaricini into the service of Christ. This fills me with great joy, and, if it pleases Almighty God, I will promptly report your accomplishments to our most serene emperors.
Continue what you have begun. Show the devotion of your heart to Almighty God, and give every possible support to those we have sent to your region for the conversion of the Barbaricini. Know that such efforts will strengthen your standing both before our earthly rulers and in the eyes of the heavenly King.
Book IV, Letter 24
To Zabardas, Duke of Sardinia.
Gregory to Zabardas, etc.
From the letters of my brother and fellow bishop Felix, and of the servant of God, Cyriacus, we have learned your Glory's good qualities. And we give great thanks to mighty God, that Sardinia has got such a duke; one who so knows how to do his duty to the republic in earthly matters as to know also how to exhibit to Almighty God dutiful regard for the heavenly country. For they have written to me that you are arranging terms of peace with the Barbaricini on such conditions as to bring these same Barbaricini to the service of Christ. On this account I rejoice exceedingly, and, should it please Almighty God, will speedily notify your gifts to our most serene princes. Do you, therefore, accomplish what you have begun, show the devotion of your heart to Almighty God, and help to the utmost of your power those whom we have sent to your parts for the conversion of the Barbaricini ; knowing that such works may avail much to aid you both before our earthly princes and in the eyes of the heavenly king.
Gregorius Zabardz duci Sardiniz.
Scriptis ſralris et coepiscopi mei Felicis et Cyriaci
servi Dei, gloriz vestre bona cognovimus. Magnas-
que omnipotenti Deo gratias agimus quod talem du-
cem Sardinia 8uscepit, qui sic sciat quz terrena Sunt
reipublice exsolvere, ut bene etiam noverit omni-
potenti Deo obsequia patriz celestis exbibere. Scri-
pserunt etenim mjhi quod eo pacto cum ®* Barbarici-
nis facere pacem disponitis, ut eosdem Barbaricinos
ad Christi servitiom adducatis, Hae de re valde Iz-
tatus 8am, et dona vestra, si omnipotenti Deo pla-
cuerit, citins serenissimis principibus innotesco. Vos
ergo, quod ccepistis explete, omnipotenti Deo devo-
tionem vesire mentis ostendite, eos quos illuc ad
convertendos Barbaricinos transmisimus quantum
valetis adjuvate, scientes quod talia opera multum
vos et ante lerrenos principes, et coram ccelesti rege
przvaleant adjuvare.
◆
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 while also showing proper reverence to Almighty God for the sake of the heavenly homeland.
They have written to tell me that you are negotiating peace terms with the Barbaricini on conditions that would bring these same Barbaricini into the service of Christ. This fills me with great joy, and, if it pleases Almighty God, I will promptly report your accomplishments to our most serene emperors.
Continue what you have begun. Show the devotion of your heart to Almighty God, and give every possible support to those we have sent to your region for the conversion of the Barbaricini. Know that such efforts will strengthen your standing both before our earthly rulers and in the eyes of the heavenly King.
Human translation - New Advent (NPNF / ANF series)
Latin / Greek Original
Gregorius Zabardz duci Sardiniz.
Scriptis ſralris et coepiscopi mei Felicis et Cyriaci servi Dei, gloriz vestre bona cognovimus. Magnas- que omnipotenti Deo gratias agimus quod talem du- cem Sardinia 8uscepit, qui sic sciat quz terrena Sunt reipublice exsolvere, ut bene etiam noverit omni- potenti Deo obsequia patriz celestis exbibere. Scri- pserunt etenim mjhi quod eo pacto cum ®* Barbarici- nis facere pacem disponitis, ut eosdem Barbaricinos ad Christi servitiom adducatis, Hae de re valde Iz- tatus 8am, et dona vestra, si omnipotenti Deo pla- cuerit, citins serenissimis principibus innotesco. Vos ergo, quod ccepistis explete, omnipotenti Deo devo- tionem vesire mentis ostendite, eos quos illuc ad convertendos Barbaricinos transmisimus quantum valetis adjuvate, scientes quod talia opera multum
vos et ante lerrenos principes, et coram ccelesti rege