Letter 10023: A thing to us altogether detestable and infamous has come to our ears, and we wonder why, if it is true, you have not taken notice of it. For Martianus, a monk of the monastery of Saint Vitus, situate on Mount Ætna, has come to us, and presented a petition, complaining among other things that the monks of this monastery live so perversely and wi...
Pope Gregory the Great→Adrian, Notary of Sicily|c. 600 AD|gregory great
monasticism
Military conflict; Miracles & relics
Gregory to Adrian, Notary in Sicily.
Something truly detestable and disgraceful has come to my attention, and I am astonished that you have not already dealt with it, if the reports are true.
Martianus, a monk from the monastery of Saint Vitus on Mount Etna, has come to me with a petition. Among other complaints, he reports that the monks of that monastery are living so perversely and wickedly that they dare to have women living with them. This is appalling even to say aloud.
I have written to our brother and fellow bishop Leo about this matter, directing him to investigate and, if it proves true, to correct it with the utmost severity. Your Experience must also involve yourself fully -- investigate the truth and punish this wickedness. Nothing about this should be handled loosely or carelessly.
Also, look into the monastery's other concerns and lend your assistance where fairness requires, so that any encroachments on the monastery are corrected according to justice, and nothing harmful arises there going forward that is contrary to the fear of God and the rule of law.
Book X, Letter 23
To Adrian, Notary of Sicily .
Gregory to Adrian, etc.
A thing to us altogether detestable and infamous has come to our ears, and we wonder why, if it is true, you have not taken notice of it. For Martianus, a monk of the monastery of Saint Vitus, situate on Mount Ætna, has come to us, and presented a petition, complaining among other things that the monks of this monastery live so perversely and wickedly as to dare to have women living with them, which is a thing atrocious to be spoken of. And, seeing that we have written on this matter to our brother and fellow bishop Leo , in order that, having enquired into the truth, he may, if he should find it to be so, be at pains to correct it with the strictest severity, it is necessary for your Experience also to show yourself in all respects solicitous for investigation of the truth, and punishment of so great a wickedness; so that nothing may be found to be done remissly or negligently. Further, for the interests in other respects of the same monastery, lend your assistance so far as equity may require, to the end that if, as is said, there has been any invasion of it, it may be redressed according to justice, and that for the future nothing prejudicial may in any way arise there contrary to the fear of God and the order of law.
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Source. Translated by James Barmby. From Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, Vol. 13. Edited by Philip Schaff and Henry Wace. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1898.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight. <https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/360210023.htm>.
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Gregory to Adrian, Notary in Sicily.
Something truly detestable and disgraceful has come to my attention, and I am astonished that you have not already dealt with it, if the reports are true.
Martianus, a monk from the monastery of Saint Vitus on Mount Etna, has come to me with a petition. Among other complaints, he reports that the monks of that monastery are living so perversely and wickedly that they dare to have women living with them. This is appalling even to say aloud.
I have written to our brother and fellow bishop Leo about this matter, directing him to investigate and, if it proves true, to correct it with the utmost severity. Your Experience must also involve yourself fully -- investigate the truth and punish this wickedness. Nothing about this should be handled loosely or carelessly.
Also, look into the monastery's other concerns and lend your assistance where fairness requires, so that any encroachments on the monastery are corrected according to justice, and nothing harmful arises there going forward that is contrary to the fear of God and the rule of law.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.