Letter 6057: We have learned from the servant of God, Augustine, the bearer of these presents, how great goodness, how great gentleness, with the charity that is well-pleasing to Christ, is in you resplendent; and we give thanks to Almighty God, who has granted you these gifts of His loving-kindness, through which you may have it in your power to be highly e...

Pope Gregory the GreatArigius, Patrician|c. 595 AD|gregory great
imperial politicsproperty economics
Military conflict

Gregory to Arigius, Patrician of Gaul.

We have learned from the servant of God Augustine, the bearer of these presents, what great goodness, what gentleness, and what charity pleasing to Christ shine forth in you; and we give thanks to Almighty God, who has granted you these gifts of his loving-kindness — through which you may be held in high regard among men, and, what is truly valuable, glorious in his sight. We therefore pray Almighty God to multiply in you the gifts he has granted, to keep you and all who are yours under his protection, and to so direct the actions of your Glory in this world that they may benefit you both here and — what is more to be desired — in the life to come.

Greeting your Glory, then, with paternal warmth, we ask that the bearer of these presents and the servants of God accompanying him may find in you the gracious support they need. While they experience your favor, they will the better be able to carry out what has been entrusted to them.

Furthermore, we commend to you in every respect our son the priest Candidus, whom we have sent to administer the patrimony of our Church in your region — trusting that your Glory will receive a reward from our God in return, if with a devout heart you lend your support to the affairs of the poor.

Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.

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