Letter 10018: Know, glorious daughter, that the presbyter Amandus has been elected to the episcopate by the people of Surrentum. And, we having written for him to be sent hither, you ought not to be saddened for his absence, seeing that one who is with you in heart should not even be believed to be departing from you. And, since he who once pleased you is acc...

Pope Gregory the GreatClementina, Patrician|c. 600 AD|gregory great
imperial politicstravel mobility
Personal friendship; Economic matters

Gregory to Clementina, Patrician.

Know, glorious daughter, that the priest Amandus has been elected to the episcopate by the people of Surrentum. We have written requesting that he be sent to us, and you should not be saddened by his absence. One who remains with you in heart should not even be thought of as departing from you.

Since the man who once pleased you is now acceptable to those who need a bishop, give thanks to Almighty God for this. With Christian devotion, rejoice all the more, and gladly do your best to hasten his journey to us for the benefit of others. For it is the nature of sincere love to rejoice when someone we care for is called to grow into greater service.

Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.

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