Letter 3047: Having read your letter, beloved, we learn that you have made choice of Honoratus your archdeacon; and know that it is altogether pleasing to us that you have chosen for the order of episcopacy a man tried of old and of grave manner of life. We too join with you in approbation of his personal character, inasmuch as it is already known to us; and...
Gregory to the Clergy of the Church of Salona.
Having read your letter, dear brothers, we learn that you have chosen your archdeacon Honoratus as your candidate for bishop. This is entirely pleasing to us — you have selected for the episcopate a man of proven character and serious conduct. We too can attest to his personal qualities, since his reputation is already known to us, and it has been our own wish as well that he be ordained as your bishop according to your desire.
We therefore urge you to hold firm to this election without any wavering. No circumstances should turn you away from him. Just as this commendable choice now receives our approval, so it would burden your souls and stain your reputation with faithlessness if anyone were to lure you — God forbid — into withdrawing your support from him.
As for those who do not share your preference, we have instructed our subdeacon Antoninus to urge them to come into agreement with you. We have also given him directives regarding our brother and fellow bishop Malchus. Since we have written to Malchus directly as well, we trust he will promptly stop disturbing you. Should he in any way neglect to comply, his defiance will be met with the full severity of canonical punishment.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.
Related Letters
Gregory to Januarius, Bishop of Caralis (Cagliari). Your Fraternity ought indeed to have been so attentive to pious duties as to be in no need at all of our admonitions to induce you to fulfil them: yet, as certain particulars that require correction have come to our knowledge, there is nothing incongruous in your having besides a letter address...
Although for a long time it has caused you no sorrow that the Church of God should be without a pontiff, yet as for us, we are both compelled by the charge of the office we bear and bound especially by the charity of our love for you, to take thought for its government, knowing that in its supervision lies at the same time advantage to your soul...
Gregory to Januarius, Bishop of Caralis (Cagliari). Pastoral zeal ought indeed in itself to have sufficiently instigated you, even without our aid, to protect profitably and providently the flock of which you have taken charge, and to preserve it with diligent circumspection from the cunning devices of enemies. But, since we have found that your...
The most distinguished lady Nereida has complained to us that your Fraternity does not blush to exact from her a hundred solidi for the burial of her daughter, and would bring upon her the additional vexation of expense over and above her groans of sorrow. Now, if the truth is so, it being a very serious thing and far from a priest's office to r...
Gregory to Januarius, Bishop of Caralis (Cagliari). Theodosia, a religious lady, being desirous of carrying out the intention of her late husband Stephen by the building of a monastery , has begged us to transmit our letters to your Fraternity, whereby, through our commendation, she may the more readily be counted worthy of your aid. She asserts...