Letter 9160

From: Pope Gregory I To: Gulfar, Master of Soldiers Date: ~599 AD Context: Gregory encourages Gulfar in his zeal against some military threat, as reported by the bearers of this letter The bearers of this letter have given me a full account of the zeal and energy you have shown in addressing the military situation in your region. I am grateful for this report and I want to encourage you in that same spirit. The defense of the people under your charge is not merely a military duty — it is a work of mercy. Every man, woman, and child protected from violence by your action is a soul for whom Christ also died. Act with the same energy you have shown, and know that this see regards your labors with gratitude and prays for your success.

LatoreB praesentium de liistriac* ad nos partibus venicntcs' tunta nobia bona vCBtrac gloriae rotulerunt, ut in reddcndum nos vobis gratiarum actionem vehementor accondcront. OognovimuB namquc, quod inter curas iniunctae vobis gubcmationis * illarum partium praecipuam de animarum lucris sollicitudinem habeatis, ct ita crrantium corda ad unitatem festinare vos occlesiac rcvocarc, ut, quaotum ad deBiderium vostrum portinet, nultum illic ab apostotica scgrcgatum rcmancre vclitis ecclesia tantusquc voa beati Potri apostolorum '^ principis amor accenderit, ut in ovili ipsius, cui a Domino' croaturao Bunt traditac. Bummo redintegrarc cum dcsidcrio cupiatis. liabe, glorioae fili, cx tanto talique opcrc fixam de divioa rctributionc'' fiduciam, in qua vob non aolum nostra adhortatio', scd ct^ apostolicus quoquc acrmo confirmat, quia is qui convcrti feccrit peccatorcm ab crrore viae auae salvabit animam eius a morte ct operit multi- IX, 159. ') esse codd. n. '') intliscretum edd. ') ita tcr. Moninuen; TBCtu etCl.2; fncti et (73; fnctum Val. A (ed. M). IX, 160 in UnJu: (iuiraro H* 1. •) lntriae VJ.2. *•) n|)OBloIura Ct. ") ad umnium C2.3. <t) retribaune C 1. =) Hdoratio t'i. ont. el C3. IX, Ij'J. De Manrentio, mag. mil. Netipolitaw), cf. ep. VIII, 12 n. I. I) An senior dvHati»? cf. ep. IX, 76 n. 2. 2) De navicitlario offi ridetur. la dtarUi aaec. VI (Maiini, pnp. dipt. h», 131) Sar:ennae naricularius quidam r(ir) h(onest\is) eommemorattiT. 3} Qiiodnam hoc deCTetum fueril, an propler heBum, an de annona decretum ail, neacimas. IX, 160. Oiilfari, mag. mil. (l»triae), aliug faisse rtdctur ac Ulfari diix Langdxtrdu», qui eonlra AffUutfHm rtflem reM/arii (FHjiI. dinc. IV, 3). I) Cf. e}>. IX, 14S n. 1. 2) Nola magislratui mditari huius limitia ffuberitationem ,GoogIe tudinein peccatorum. Quantalibet cnim sit tcmporaliB affluenda vcl certc proapcritas, habet finem suum tcrminum mortis. Hoc vero quod de animarum lucris apprehcn- dieds studium, tenct fixam spei suae certitudinem, aeternae sciltcet vitae retributionem. Fraemisso quapropter patemaeB Balutationis'' affectu hortamur gloriam vestram, ut pro unitate sanctae lidei zelum, quod vobis ipse unitatis auctor tribuit, Btudiosius pcragatia et, quosque' valueritis'', in sinum matris ccclesiac ab sciBmatis' sui revocantcs crrorc adhortationo'" continuo" foveatis hoc etiam peragentes, ut et quoe per voe suo" Uominus ovili redintegrari conccBserit ita defensioniB vestrae aolaciU protegatis, ut non sit, quod hi qui adhuc in crrore sunt positi revertentes ad aalubrc consilium valeant applicarc''. Dum cnim vos causas Dei in terra agitis, ipsc et hic actus vestros protcctionis suac feticiter ope disponiti ct in aetema vobia vita, quam cupitis, pro tanto bono' vestro retributor cxistit'.