Letter 11002

From: Pope Gregory I To: John, Abbot of Mount Sinai Date: ~601 AD Context: Gregory writes about establishing a hospice at Sinai, built by a man named Isaurus I have heard that a certain Isaurus, moved by devotion, began the construction of a hospice [xenodochium] near your monastery for the care of pilgrims and the poor. This is a work most pleasing to God, and I rejoice to hear of it. I write to encourage you to take this project under your care and ensure it is brought to completion. The holy mountain of God has long drawn pilgrims who face great hardship on the road. A house of hospitality there would extend the charity of God's house beyond its walls to all who approach in need. Use whatever resources are at hand, and let me know if this see can assist.

Sanctitatem vitae tuae* humilitatis tuae testatur epistola^, unde omnipotenti Deo magnas gratias agimus, quia adhuc esse cognoscimus, qui® pro peccatis nostris^ valeant exorare. Nos enim sub colore ecclesiastici regiminis mundi huius fluctibus volvimur®, qui frequenter nos' obruunt, sed caelcstis gratiae manu protegente de profundo rele- vamur. Vos ergo, qui in tanta quietis vestrae serenitate tranquillam vitam ducitis et securi quasi in litore statis, nobis navigantibus aut potius naufragantibusc^ orationis vestrae manum tendite et conantes ad tcrram viyentium pergere quantis potestis pre- cibus adiuvate^, ut non solum de vcstra vita, sed etiam de ereptione nostra mercedem in perpetuum^ habere valeatis. Sancta trinitas dilectionem tuam suae protectionis dextera protegat detque tibi^ commissum gregem^ orando, anmionendo'", exempla boni operis ostendendo in suo conspectu recte pascere, ut ad aetemae vitae pascua valeas cum ipso quem pascis grege pervenire. Scriptum quippe est: 'Oves meae'^ venient et pascua invenient' ^ Quae^ videlicet pascuai" tunc invenimus, quando huius vitae hieme carentes de aetemae vitae quasi de novi^ veris veritate' satiamur. Filio nostro Simplicio renuntiante cognovimus lectos" vel lectistemia in hiero-