Rusticiana, Patrician

Rusticiana (fl. 590s–600s) was a Roman patrician woman — possibly a descendant of the great senatorial families — who lived in Constantinople and appears 5 times in this collection as a recipient of Pope Gregory the Great's letters. Gregory wrote to her about church matters and the welfare of Roman interests in the imperial capital. The letters to Rusticiana reveal that women of the Roman aristocracy remained significant figures in ecclesiastical affairs well into the sixth century — and that Gregory was pragmatic enough to cultivate every useful contact in Constantinople.
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Letters sent
5
Letters received
5
Total letters
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Correspondents

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All letters (5)

From Pope Gregory the Greatc. 591

On receiving the epistle of your Excellency I was relieved by the welcome news of your welfare, hoping that the Lord in His mercy may protect and direct your life and doings. But I wondered much why you have turned from your intention and vow to accomplish a good work in respect of your meditated journey to the holy places , seeing that, when an...

gregory great #2027
From Pope Gregory the Greatc. 593

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 places and seen many Fathers.

gregory great #4046
From Pope Gregory the Greatc. 598

I remember having before now written to your Excellency, and repeatedly urged you to lose no time in revisiting the thresholds of the blessed Peter, Prince of the apostles. And what means your so great delight in the city of Constantinople, and your oblivion of the city of Rome, I know not. I have not so far been thought worthy of getting any in...

gregory great #8022
From Pope Gregory the Greatc. 601

I have received the letters of your Excellency, which altogether relieved me, while I was in a state of most grievous sickness, with regard to your health, your devotion, and your sweetness. One thing however I took amiss, namely that in the same epistles to me what might have been said once was said repeatedly; Your handmaiden, and your handmai...

gregory great #11044
From Pope Gregory the Greatc. 603

As often as any one comes to us from the royal city, we take care to enquire of your bodily health; but, my sins being the cause, I always hear what I am sorry to hear, since, frail and weak as you already are, it is reported that the pains of gout still grow upon you. But I pray the Almighty Lord that whatever befalls your body may be ordered t...

gregory great #13022