Letter 4069

From: Gregory the Great, Pope, in Rome To: Cyprianus, deacon [in Sicily] Date: ~594 AD Context: Gregory discusses the longstanding custom that Sicilian bishops formerly traveled to Rome every three years, but now are to come every five years. Gregory to Cyprianus, deacon. The question has arisen about the schedule on which the bishops of Sicily are to make their visits to Rome. The old custom was every three years; I am establishing that the new arrangement will be every five years. This change is made in recognition of the difficulties of travel in the present circumstances [the Lombard invasions had made travel much more dangerous and difficult], not as a reduction of the obligation to maintain connection with the apostolic see. The principle of regular personal contact between the bishops of the provinces and Rome remains; the frequency is adjusted to reflect practical realities. Inform the Sicilian bishops of this change when the opportunity arises. Gregory

AD CYPRIANUM DIACONUM. Sicilice episcopos olim terlio quoque anno, jam quinto Romam proficisci 80litos, ad Natale sancti Petri convenire sic procuret, ut inde nulla pretori oriae tur sn8picio. Moneat quoque Liparitanum et Regita- num episcopos. Libertinum consoletur. Gregorius Cypriano diacono. Novit dilectio tua hoc olim consueludinem te- nvisse, ut ſratres et coepiscopi nostri Romam GgG7 semel in triennio de Sicilia convenirent, - sed nos, eorum labori consulentes, conslituisse ut suam bue semel in quinquennio presentiam exbiberent. At quia jam diu est quod huc minime convenerunt, eos hortari te volumus ut Natale $ancti Petri hic, Deo perducente, nobiscum debeant celebrare. Sed ne Eersr. XXI [Al. 52, ind. 2]. — * Nullis in Mss. hc legimus. _ Eeisr. X XIL | Al. 29]. — * Ex epistola sancti Leo- nis 16, ad Sicilie episcopos, consuetudinis istius ha atque causa colligitur, scilicet ut interessent concilio sub Romano pontiſice metropolitano sno, ex priscorum canonum vi, quibus habendas singulis an- nis synodes fuerat decretum, ut commini tfractalu onnia ins!ilula canonumque decreta apud omnes Do- mins 8deerdotes inviolata permanerent. Volebat autem Sanctus Leo ternos singulis annis convenire. ltayue $i semel quolibet triennio Romam pergebant Singuli, novem tunc fuisse in Sicilia episcopos planum est. luterciderat 3utem isia conguetudo, quam reparat, dHilato anno, milata die. Vide epist. 1 libri primi. Eris. XXII [A 20]. — » In duobus Vaticanis SANCTI GREGORII MACNI A ſorte preztori aliqua possit nasci 8uspicio, $i c++» hue D admonitos venire cognoverit, voluntatem no-tram intelligens, ita boc ex le ſacere $lude, ut et ipsi, Sicut praediximus, ad diem conslitutum buc yeniant, et nulla de eis prztori possit esse Suspicio. Lipari- tanum vero et Regilanum episcopos, ut buc veniant pariter commonebis. | Circa Libertinum vero virum magnificum esto Sollicitus, ut nullus ilum dolus Gecipiat, quia ali- qua nobis de Ravennali urbe scripla sunl!, ipsamque ad te epistolam misimus, ut ex ea qualicer te erga eum debeas exhibere possis addiscere. Consolare autem eum, ut £e non aſſligat, quia credimus quod nos excellentissimus filius nosler exarchus non - Contristet. Nam de persona ipsius scribere non di- B stulimus. Sed quia in Pado idem exarchus occupa- tus est, minime scripta ejus Suscepimus. (Cf. Joan. Diac. l. mi; n. 24.) |