Letter 2055: Gregory to Maximian, bishop of Syracuse [Gregory's trusted vicar in Sicily].

Gregory the Great (Wisigothic)Maximian|c. 602 AD|Pope Gregory the Great|AI-assisted
illnesspapal authorityproperty economics

Gregory to Maximian, bishop of Syracuse [Gregory's trusted vicar in Sicily].

Now that canonical discipline has been imposed upon the former bishop Agatho [bishop of Lipari], in proportion to the severity of his offenses, it is necessary, out of basic humanity, to arrange for how he may be sustained. Therefore, let your fraternity send someone to the church of Lipari [Aeolian Islands, off Sicily], where the aforesaid Agatho held the office of priest, and from its resources transmit to him for the present fifty solidi [gold coins], which may provide for his sustenance. For it would be excessively cruel if, after his punishment, he should also suffer want of the necessities of life.

AI-assisted translation — This translation was produced with AI assistance and has not been peer-reviewed. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek below for scholarly use.

Latin / Greek Original

AD MAXIMIANUM EP SCOPUM.,
Agathonis episcopi in quem dislricte ſuit vindicatum
8uslentationi providet. |

Gregorins Maximiano episcopo Syracusano.

Postquam in * Agathonem quoudam episcopum,
juxta qualitatem exce>suum districtione est canonica '
vindicatum, necesse est, humanitatis intuitu, quem-
admodun sustentari possit disponere. Propterea ſra-
ternitas tua ad Liparitanam Ecclesiam, in qua
Supradictus Agatho sacerdolis gessit officium, ſesvi-
nel dirigere, cique ad przsens exinde quinquaginta
Sulidos, qui in ejus possint proficere victum, trans-
millat. Nam nimis est impiun si alimoniorumn ne-
cessilali post viadictam subjaceat.

Related Letters