11 surviving letters between Peter, of Terracina and Pope Gregory the Great, spanning c. 590–596.
Joseph, a Jew, the bearer of these presents, has informed us that, the Jews dwelling in the camp of Terracina having been accustomed to assemble in a certain place for celebrating their festivities, your Fraternity had expelled them thence, and that they had migrated, and this with your knowledge and consent, to another place for in like manner ...
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. ...
With regard to our having so long delayed sending off your messenger, we have been so occupied with the engagements of the Paschal festival that we have been unable to let him go sooner. But, with regard to the questions on which you have desired instruction, you will learn below how, after fully considering them all, we have determined them. We...
Being exceedingly desirous of observing the festivals of saints, we have thought it needful to address this our letter of direction to your Experience, informing you that we have arranged for the dedication with all solemnity, with the help of the Lord, in the month of August, of the Oratory of the Blessed Mary lately built in the cell of brethr...
If with kind disposition we meet the needs of our neighbours by showing compassion, we shall undoubtedly find the Lord mercifully inclined to our petitions. Now we have learned that Pastor, who labours under exceeding weakness of sight, having a wife and two slaves, who also had formerly been with the glorious lady Jonatha, is suffering from gre...
You have learned from a former letter that we have desired our brethren and fellow bishops dwelling in the island of Sicily to assemble here for the anniversary of the blessed Peter the apostle. But, seeing that their suit with the magnificent Justin the ex-prætor has meanwhile hindered them, and that there is not now sufficient time for comin...
By information received from Romanus the guardian (defensore) I have learned that the monastery of handmaidens of God which is on the farm of Monotheus has suffered wrong from our church of Villa Nova with respect to a farm belonging to the latter, which is said to have been leased to the said monastery. If this is so, let your Experience restor...
What a crime has been committed in the Lucullan fort against our brother and fellow bishop Paul the account which has been sent to us has made manifest. And, inasmuch as the magnificent Scholasticus, judge of Campania, happens at the present time to be with us here, we have especially enjoined on him the duty of visiting the madness of so great...
As we have no wish to disturb the privileges of laymen in their judgments, so, when they judge wrongfully, we desire you to resist them with moderate authority. For to restrain violent laymen is not to act against the laws, but to support law. Since then Deusdedit, the son-in-law of Felix of Orticellum, is said to have done violent wrong to the ...
Our brother and fellow bishop Paul has often requested us to allow him to return to his own church. And, having perceived this to be reasonable, we have thought it needful to accede to his petition. Consequently let your Experience convene the clergy of the Neapolitan church, to the end that they may choose two or three of their number, and not ...
Gregory to Peter, Domitian, and Elpidius, Bishops. I rejoice exceedingly that you welcomed with great joy the ordination of the most holy Cyriacus, my brother and fellow priest. And since we have learned from the preaching of Paul the apostle that If one member rejoice, all the members rejoice with it 1 Corinthians 12:26, you must needs consider...