Letter 8012: My brother and fellow bishop Paul has come to my attention as a man worthy of your support and friendship.

[This database record concatenates several letters from Book VII of Gregory the Great's Register, Indiction I, together with the editorial apparatus (manuscript variant notes) of the printed edition. The editorial footnotes are not part of the letters and are omitted; the legible letter content of each epistle is translated below.] TO COLUMBUS. He commends Bishop Paulus. Gregory to Columbus, bishop of Numidia. In what manner we ought to presume upon the love of your fraternity, we gather from the quality of the disposition that we hold toward you. Nor do we judge that you love the Apostolic See otherwise than it loves you. Hence it is necessary that those whom we know to be, as is fitting, devoted within the Church of the blessed Peter, chief of the apostles, we should commend more particularly to you, whom the life and conduct of a priest adorns, and his dignity also; of whose sincerity, that is, we already hold a firm proof from things past. Our brother and fellow bishop Paulus, therefore, the bearer of these presents, recalls that it is not hidden from your holiness with how great storms and with how great adversities he is buffeted there. And since he asserts that the complaints concerning him which, as you have indicated, have reached you are not true, but rather are stirred up against him by the instigation of his adversaries, and trusts that, with truth as his patron, he can, with you taking cognizance of it all, overcome it with the Lord as his helper, we exhort you, most beloved brother, that in those matters in which the reasoning of justice shall have been made manifest for him, you should fittingly extend your hand and ought to aid him with sublime and priestly compassion. Let no consideration, therefore, suspend you from the pursuit of equity, no power of persons. But, relying upon the Lord's precepts, despise all things that are adverse to rectitude. In defending the cause of justice press on constantly; refuse not to bear hatreds for the sake of truth, if there be any; that you may find at the coming of our Redeemer so much the greater a fruit of reward [...]. [...] and those things which exceed the rules of canonical discretion, be zealous to expend vigilant care; and [...] not neglecting the things enjoined upon him, you shall have expended yourself in favor of justice and for its defense. In the month of March, in the first indiction. [...] and excesses [...] restrain the author by the bridle of priestly coercion, and [draw] him back from the unseemly course, with the tongue as guide and by action [...]. TO BONIFACE, FIRST DEFENSOR. He established that seven defensors should be honored with the rank of regionarii. Gregory to Boniface, concerning the privileges of the defensors. Those who faithfully labor at the affairs of the Church are to be attended with the benefit of fitting remuneration, so that both we may be seen to have responded worthily to their services, and they, from the granted grace of this consolation, may stand forth more useful. Since, therefore, the office of the defensors is known to labor in the causes of the Church and in the services of the pontiffs, we have foreseen that they should enjoy this granted prerogative of recompense: ordaining that, just as in the school of the notaries and of the subdeacons, through the long-standing largess of pontiffs of old, regionarii have been established, so also among the defensors seven who, by the demonstrated usefulness of their experience, shall have given satisfaction, may be honored with the rank of regionarius. And we have decreed that these, whensoever during the absence of the pontiff, shall have the license both of sitting in the assembly of the clergy and of obtaining in all things the privileges of their honor. Moreover, if anyone, coming to the place of the prior, has perhaps resided in another province on account of his own advantage, it is necessary that he in all respects attend to the place of the primacy, so that he may be able to stand as prior of all the defensors, who, even before the office of the priorate, did not cease to remain, by his assiduous presence, in the ecclesiastical affairs and services of the pontiffs. These decrees, therefore, of our constitution, which have been disposed concerning the privileges and ordering of the defensors, we ordain to be observed with perpetual stability and without any contradiction, both those things which we have decreed in writing, and those things which seem to have been arranged in these matters in our presence; nor do we decree that they be torn away, in whole or in any part, by any pontiff upon any occasion, or be altered. For it is exceedingly harsh, and especially inimical to the good morals of priesthood, for anyone to strive by any sort of excuse to rescind those things which have been well ordained, and by his own example to teach others to dissolve at some time the things constituted after them. In the month of April, in the first indiction. EPISTLE XV. TO MARINIANUS, BISHOP OF RAVENNA. He grants many privileges to the monastery of Saints John and Stephen. Gregory to Marinianus, bishop of Ravenna. [The monastery] is established in the city of Classis, over which our common son Claudius the abbot is recognized to preside, [so that] in the service of God, his own grace likewise lending support, they may persevere with a free mind. But lest, out of that custom which is rather to be amended, anyone there at any time should presume to bring upon them any annoyance, it is necessary that these things which we have taken care to enumerate below ought to be guarded with the zeal of your fraternity, so that from them no further occasion of inflicting disquiet may be found. Let no one, therefore, henceforth dare, concerning the revenues or charters of the aforesaid monastery, or concerning any place which pertains to it in any manner whatsoever, to diminish it by any device, nor to make any encroachments or frauds. But if perchance any cause should arise between the Church of Ravenna and the aforesaid monastery, and it cannot be peaceably settled, let it be ended before men chosen by the parties who fear God, without willful delay, by means of the most holy Gospels. And when the abbot has died, let one be ordained who is not a stranger but from the same congregation, whom the congregation shall have chosen for itself by its own will, and who, once elected, shall have been so without any fraud or venality; but if they cannot find a suitable person among themselves, let them carefully choose for themselves from other monasteries one to be ordained in like manner. Nor let any person, on any occasion whatsoever, be set over the abbot coming into his own monastery, unless perhaps there exist crimes -- which God forbid -- such as the sacred canons are shown to punish. Likewise it is to be observed that, against the will of the abbot of the same monastery, monks ought not to be taken thence to ordain other monasteries, or for sacred orders or the office of the clergy. But if they are in abundance, and suffice both for celebrating the praises of God and for fulfilling the needs of the monasteries, let the abbot with devotion offer from those who shall be in surplus such as he shall have been able to find worthy before God. But if, having a sufficiency, he is unwilling to give, then let the bishop of Ravenna take, for ordaining other monasteries, from those who are in surplus. To the ecclesiastical office, nevertheless, let no one thence be brought forward, except him whom the abbot of the place, being admonished, shall have offered by his own will. But whoever from the aforesaid monastery shall have come to an ecclesiastical order, let him henceforth have neither any power there nor license of dwelling. It is also to be observed that the description of the goods or charters of the same monastery ought not to be made by ecclesiastics, if ever the matter requires it; but let the abbot of the place make an inventory of the goods together with other abbots. And as often as, for the advantage of his monastery, the abbot shall perhaps wish to come or to send to the Roman pontiff, let it be permitted to him by all means. Moreover, since the coming of bishops [is desired]; and indeed your fraternity the aforesaid abbot not only does not fear to approach the monastery frequently, but even longingly desires it, knowing that through you the substance of the monastery cannot in any way be burdened. [And let] the monastery incur no grievance. Given in the month of April, in the first indiction.

AD COLUMBUM. Paulum episcopum commendat. Gregorius Columbo episcopo Numidiz. Qualiter de ſraternitatis vestrie debeamus chari- late przsumere, ex mentlis nostr2 quam Circa vos habemus qualitate colligimus. Nec aliter vos aposto- licam $edein diligere quatu ipsa Yyos diligit arbitra- mur. Unde-necesse est ut eos quos in Ecclesia beali Petri aposiolorum principis, ut oportet, devyolos eS5e cognoscimus, vobis, cujus vitam et actio gacer- dotis ornal et dignitas, peculiarius commendemus, de cujus $cilicet sinceritalte ſirmum experimentum de preleritis jam lenemus. Frater igitur et coepiscopts noster Paulus, pre- 8entium purtitor, quantis illic fluetibus, quantisque adrersitatibus quatialur, sanctitatem vesiram m&- morat non latere. Qui quoniam querelas quas de eo- ad vos pervenisse siguaslis non veras esse , $ed ins- ligatione adversantium contra se ass8erit excitari, et omnta s8e fidit, patrocinante veritate, vobis cogno- scemnibus, adjulore posse Dowino g8uperare, horta- mur, dilectissime frater, ut ei in quibus fueril juslitiz ratio nianiſesla, manum decenter prebere Sul3lii alque Sacerdolali eum compassione debeas adjuvare. Nulla ergo vos res ab aquilatis $tu- dio, nulla Suspendat polentlia personarum. Sed in- nitens pPraeceplis dominicis , 0mnia que $unt reclitu- dini adversa contemne. In deleudendis partibus jus- tilie consSlanier insisle, Odia pro veritale, si qua Sunl, SuSlinere nun renuas; ut tanto inajore:n in ad- D vcntu Redemptoris nostri ſructuw mercedis invenias, dunt, et regulas canonice discretionis YQ4 exce-.. dunt, vigilantem studete euram impendere; atque * Vatic. B, magistrum militum. © Hoc loco expunximus quia, Suadentibus Ms. pene omnibus, et gensum restiluimus. Quid enim SenSus inerat huic verborum conlextui : Denique quia cum fidei, etc, Secuti $umus VYalic. , Norm., Corb., etc. Eersr. XII | Al. 14]. — * In Vatic. D et nonnullis aliis Mss., fraires charissimi.... que predilos vos. oc quaztv - ejus i:ndata non negligens, in ſavorem 1e jusliliz et defensionem impenderis., * Mense Marlio, indictione prima, ( Vide sup. (. vi, ep. 61; 6. vity ep. 2; et hujus lib, ep. 12.) © [ta cum- Mss. vet. Excusi, etsi in recentioribus legatur : charitatis unitatem $ervare. EeisT. XIM [Al. 16]. — * In Vatic. A, B, D, F, el jn Colb. vel., sic legitur. et excessus auctorem coercitionis freno sacerdotali constt ingite , | alque eum ab inviv itinere © lingua duce et actione A fr 917 EPISTOLARUM LIB. VII. — INDICT. I. — EPIST. XV. A cunque rations exeusatione, et quz bene sunt ordi- 905 EPISTOLA NIV. AD BONIFACIUM PRIMUM DEFENSORENM. Deſensores seplem honore regionariorum decorandos slaluil. Gregorius ® Bonifacio de privilegiis deſensorum. Ecelesiaslicis ulilitatibus ſ(ideliter insudanles con- gruz remunerationis sunt beneficio prosequendi, ut el n0s respondisee eorum digne obsequiis videamur, el illi ex indulla consolationis gratia utiliores exi- $tant. Quia igitur deſensorum officium in causis Ecclesiz et obsequiis noscitur laborare ponlificum, hac eos COncessa Prospeximus recompensalionis pre - rogaliva gaudere : consliluentes ut Sicut in Þ schola nolariorum alque Subdiaconorum per indultam louge retro pontificum largitalem sunt regionarii conslituti, jila quoque in deſensoribus seplem qui oslensa Suze experientia2 ulilitale placuerint honore. regionario decorentur, Quos quolibet per absentiam pontilicis et sedendi in couventu clericorum habere licentiam, et bonoris $ui privilegia in omnibus stlatuimus obli- nere. Freterea si quis ad prioris locum veniens in alia forlasse provincia propler utililatem propriam degit, hunc necesse est primatus locum per omnia curare, ut ille prior deſensorum omnium poss$is exi- Slere, qui et ante prioratus locum in ecelesiasticis uiilitatibus obsequiisque poulilicis non deslilit per sedulam prxSentiam permanere. Hec itaque consti- tutionis nostre decrela (Grat. 25, q. 2, c. 7) que ' pro defensorum 8uvnt privilegiis et ordinitione dispo- Sila, perpetua $tabilitate et sine aliqua consttuimus reſragatione Servari, Sive que $cCripto decrevimus, Seu quz in eis in nostra prasentia videntur esse disposita, nec a quoquam ponlificum in totum par- temve qualibet occasione convelli decernimus. vel mutari. Nam nimis est asperum, et precipue bonis Sacerdotlum moribus inimicum, niti quempiam qua- Eersr. XIV [Al. 17]. — * Varins est hic titutos lam in Mss. quam in Editis exemplaribus. Quiedam ita legunt : Boniſacio de pririlegits deſensorum. Alia SiC : Bonifacio deſensori de privilegits primicerii deſen- soris. In aliis hahetur hoc modo : Boniſucio primice- rio deſensori privilegii primicern deſensoris. De de- ſensoribus regionariis vide $upra, ad epist. 26 lib. 1. Grssaxv. Quod hic dicitur de Mss. pugna in epistolz hujus inscriptione, veleres Covices legenti dubium esse non potest. Attamen Normanni omnes, Anglic,, Corb., consentiunt in titulo. quem czteris ea ratione duximus anteponendum. Variz lectiones a Gussan- villeo prolaiz reperinntur in Vatic. et in Colb, Vide Gregoriwn Turonensem, listorize lib. x, cap. 2, de episcopo qui scholain omnem Sui decess0ris abjecer.t, GUs>ANnv. Eer>r. XV [AL. 48]. — * Privilegium hoc quod 81nclus Gregorius pro monaslerio Classitano condi- derat, pvs:ea ad omnia monasleria transfudit in con- cili» Rome habito apud Lateranum, ind, 4. Habetur iiln.4 decretum in tomis Conciliorum post epistolas $:nCti Gregorii. GusSaNnv. In duobus Te'ler, SiC inci- pit : Quantii $i pretii, quarice neces847'un. 91d nata rescindere, et exemplo sno docere c#teros $ua quandoque post $e cons(itata dissolvere. © Mense Aprili, indictione prima. | EPISTULA XY. AD MARINIANUM RAVENNE EPISCOPUM. | Monaslerio sanclorum Joannis et Stephani mulla con- cedit privileaia. Gregorius Mariniano episcopo Ravennali. Classitana est Civitate conslitulum, cui communis filius © Claudius abbas praesse dignoscitur, 4 mula Dei servilio, ipsius quoque gratia suffragante, mente libera perseverent. Sed ne ex ea que magis emen- danda est consuetudine- quisquam illic quolibet tem- pore quidquam molesli2 prexaumat inſerre, necesse est ut hxc que inſerius enumeranda curavimus ila fralernitalis ves!re 8tudio debeant eustodiri, ut ex eis non possit ulterius inferendze inquietu- dinis occasio reperiri. * Nullus igitur ultra audeat de reditibus vel chartis praedicti monasterii, vel de | loco aliquo qui ad ipsum pertinet quocunque modo, qualibet exquisitione, minuere, f nec immissiones vel dolos aliquos facere. Sed si qua forte causa inter Ravennatem Ecclesiam et praſatum monasterium evenerit, et paciſice non potuerit ordinari, apud de- lectos a parlibus timenles Deum, sine voluntaria dilatione, & mediis 8acrosanctis Evangeliis finiatur. num. Novnm hune portum exstruxit Augustus C:egar ad classem in eo locandam, unde ei nomen. Alii a Pompeio exstructum volunt. De eo Procopius, Aga- thias, Evagrius, Paulus Diaconus, etc. Gussanv. 4 Hinc origo exemplionum., Gussanv. . © Hic deservimus recent. Ed., ubi legitur, invi- tis S'\nceris Mss. omnibus Norm., Valic. , ntroque Rhbem., Corb., Anghec., etc. : interdicimus igitur ut. nullus episcoporum aut s&cularium ultra andeat. Infra habeiur occasione minuzre,- pro, erquisitione minuere. Gall., ' une entreprise sur les biens d'quirui. GUSSANY. SANCTI CREGORII MACNI D-ſuncto vero abbate, ® non extraneus nisi de eailem A gravamen aliqued monasterium non incurrat. Ve- -ongregatione, quem $ibi propria voluntate i con- gregatio elegerit, et qui electus ſuerit sine dolo vel venalitale aliqua , ordinetur ; quod si aptatu inter $e personam invenire nequiverint, solerter de aliis mo- nasleriis $ibi $similiter eligant ordinandum. * Neque venienti abbati quzcunque persona qualibet occa- sione in $Su0 monaslerio praponatur, nisi forte ex- slantibus, quod absit, criminibus que $sacri canones punire monstrantur. Pariter autem custodiendum est ut invito ejusdem monasterii abbale ad ordinanda alia monasteria, aut ad ordines sacros vel clericatus oflicium, tolli exinde monachi non debeant. Sed si abundantes fuerint, et ad celebrandas Deo laudes vel utilitates monasteriorum complendas sufliciant, abbas cum devotione de his qui superſuerint offerat, quos dignos ! coram Deo invenire potuerit. Quod si suſlicienter habens dare noluerit, tunc Ravennas episcopus ad ordinanda alia monasteria de his qui Supersunt tollat. Ad ecclesiastlicum tamen officium nullus exinde producalur, nisi quem abbas loci ad- monitus propria voluntate obtulerit (Grat. dist. 58, c. +). Quisquis autem ex prdicto monasterio ad ecclesiaslicum ordinem pervenerit, ® ulterius illic nec aliquam potestatem, nec licentiam habeat ha- bitandi. | Observandum quoque est ut descriptio rerum aut Charlarum ejusdem monasterii ab ecclesiasticis fieri non debeat, si quando res exigit : QQ7 $cd ab- bas loci cum abbatibus aliis ® rerum inveatarium faciat. Quoties autem pro utilitate monasterii sui ad Ro- manum ponlilicem abbas venire vel transmittere forte voluerit, ei modis omnibus liceat. Praterea cum episcoporum adventus desideranter & Placuit recentioribus Ed. inserere cujuseunque congregations, contra Mss. Valic., Norm., Corb., etc. Ad hanc lectionem praferendam nos coegit 8um- mus Mss. Norm., Rhem., Corb., Colbert., quibus duo Vatic; et vet. Kd. concinunt, consensus; elsf lectio recent. Vulgatorum magis convenire videatur, _s tr viventi abbati. ; | * Norm. et Corb., coram Deo putaverit. Vatic. B, coram Deo viderit. Vaticani A, E, F, coram Deo po- luerit. » Olim duplici ex cansa monachi ordinabantur Sacerdotes, vel pro monasteriis, vel pro ecclesiis Sxcularibus ant parochiis, ut habetur 16, q. 1, in pluribus capitibus. Non ergo hic agit Gregorius de monachis. qui pro $uis monasleriis ordinantur, $ed de iis duntaxat qui ab episcopo e monasterio tolle- bautur, permittente abbate, ad officium ecclesiasti- cum administrandum, ut patet ex pracedeutibus ${ram vero ſralernilatem predictus abbas non $solum * non metuit ad monasterium frequenter accedere, sed etiam desiderabiliter concupiscit, sciens quod per vos Substantia monasterii omnino gravari nvu possit. P Data mense Aprili, indictione prima.