Letter 1041: The venerable Paulinus bishop of the city of Taurum (Taurianum in Brutia), has told us that his monks have been scattered by reason of barbaric invasions, and that they are now wandering through the whole of Sicily, and that, being without a ruler, they neither have a care of their souls, nor pay attention to the discipline of their profession. ...
Pope Gregory the Great→Peter, of Terracina|c. 590 AD|gregory great
barbarian invasionmonasticism
Travel & mobility; Military conflict; Miracles & relics
Book I, Letter 41
To Peter, Subdeacon [Gregory's delegate in Sicily].
Gregory to Peter.
The venerable Paulinus, bishop of the city of Taurianum in Bruttium [the toe of the Italian peninsula, modern Calabria], has told us that his monks were scattered by barbarian invasions [likely Lombard raids] and are now wandering throughout Sicily. Without a leader, they neither care for their souls nor observe the discipline of their religious life.
We therefore direct you to search out these monks with all care and diligence, gather them together, and place them with their bishop Paulinus in the monastery of Saint Theodore in the city of Messina. That way, both the monks already there -- who we find are in need of leadership -- and those of his community whom you locate and bring back may serve Almighty God together under his guidance.
We have also notified the venerable Felix, bishop of Messina, about this matter, so that nothing is arranged in his diocese without his knowledge.
Book I, Letter 41
To Peter, Subdeacon.
Gregory to Peter, etc.
The venerable Paulinus bishop of the city of Taurum (Taurianum in Brutia), has told us that his monks have been scattered by reason of barbaric invasions, and that they are now wandering through the whole of Sicily, and that, being without a ruler, they neither have a care of their souls, nor pay attention to the discipline of their profession. On this account we enjoin you to search out with all care and diligence, and collect together, these same monks, and to place them with the said bishop, their ruler, in the monastery of Saint Theodorus situate in the city of Messana, that both such as are there now, whom we find to be in need of a ruler, and those of his congregation whom you may have found and brought back, may be able, under his leadership, to serve the Almighty Lord together. Know also that we have signified this matter to the venerable Felix, bishop of the same city, lest anything ordained in the diocese committed to him should be disturbed without his knowledge.
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Source. Translated by James Barmby. From Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, Vol. 12. Edited by Philip Schaff and Henry Wace. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1895.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight. <https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/360201041.htm>.
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Book I, Letter 41
To Peter, Subdeacon [Gregory's delegate in Sicily].
Gregory to Peter.
The venerable Paulinus, bishop of the city of Taurianum in Bruttium [the toe of the Italian peninsula, modern Calabria], has told us that his monks were scattered by barbarian invasions [likely Lombard raids] and are now wandering throughout Sicily. Without a leader, they neither care for their souls nor observe the discipline of their religious life.
We therefore direct you to search out these monks with all care and diligence, gather them together, and place them with their bishop Paulinus in the monastery of Saint Theodore in the city of Messina. That way, both the monks already there -- who we find are in need of leadership -- and those of his community whom you locate and bring back may serve Almighty God together under his guidance.
We have also notified the venerable Felix, bishop of Messina, about this matter, so that nothing is arranged in his diocese without his knowledge.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.