Letter 1095

From: Gregory the Great, Pope, in Rome To: Peter, subdeacon Date: ~591 AD Context: Gregory instructs his subdeacon Peter what to pay out for the dedication of a church, for distribution to the poor. Gregory to Peter, subdeacon. For the celebration of the dedication of the church, you are to provide the following for distribution to the poor: [the specific amount was detailed in the original administrative register]. The dedication of a new church is an occasion for joy in the whole community, and it is fitting that the poor should share in that joy in a tangible way. The church's resources exist not merely for its own maintenance but for the service of those who need help most. See to it that the distribution is made properly, that genuine need is the criterion, and that the resources reach those for whom they are intended rather than being consumed by administrative costs. Keep accurate accounts and report to me. Gregory

AD PETRUM SUBDIACONUM. Quid ad celebrandam dedicationem dare debeat ad erogandum pauperibus. Gregorius Petro $ubdiacono. Festivitatibussanctorum desiderabiliter i insistentes, EPISTOLARUM LIB, I. — INDICT. IS. — EPIST. LIX. 51$ Fralernitalis tuz edochi sumvs epis(9la, ig persona Ocleatini de electione episcopatus 549 3liquos con- £ensisSC, quem quoniam nos non concedimus, in eju$ non debent immorari persona. Sed habilatoribus cjusdem civitalis edicito, ut $i in eadem Ecclesia di- gnum ad hoc opus invencriat , in ipsius cuucti electionem declinent. Alioquin priesentium libi porlitor personam, de qua ei diximus, indicabit, in cujus debeat fieri electione deerelum. Yog elenim in ejusdem visidationem Ecclesiiz estole Solertes aique $olliciti, ut et res <jus illibale $er- ventur, et utilitates yobis disponentibus more $olito - peragantur. B prxsen:is preceptionis nostra paginam ad experien- liam tuam necesse duximus dirigendam, indicantes ei or..lorium beatz Mariz, quod nuper in cella fra- trum #dificatum est, ubi Marinianus abb1s praesse dignoscitur, Augustio mense disposuisse nos, adju- vante Demino, summopere dedicari, quatenus ca*- pia nostra, operante Domino, debeant consummari. Sed quia cellz ipsius teauilas exigit, debere nos in ipsa diei feslivitate concurrere; propterea volumus ut ad celebrandam dedicationem dare debeas ad erogandum pauperibus, in auro solidos decem, vini ampboras lriginta, * agnos ducentos, olei ” orcas duas, berbices duodecim, gallinas centum, quz tuis possint rationibus postmodum imputari. Statim ergo fieri hec nulla more interjectione cunsLitue, ut vota nostra, Deo auctore, celerem sortiantur eſſectuin.