Letter 7044

Gregory the Great (Wisigothic)Unknown|gregory great
From: Gregory the Great, Pope, in Rome
To: Cyprianus, deacon [in Sicily]
Date: ~597 AD
Context: Gregory instructs Cyprianus to ensure that neither Theodorus the sorcerer nor the clergy of Messina take possession of certain disputed property.

Gregory to Cyprianus, deacon.

Two things are to be prevented regarding a piece of property in dispute.

First: a man named Theodorus, who is apparently associated with sorcery, is not to be allowed to take possession of this property. Whatever legal claim he may assert, his association with such practices is disqualifying from the church's perspective.

Second: certain clergy of Messina are also apparently attempting to claim this property. This claim is also to be resisted until properly examined.

Keep the property in a state of proper administration until the question of its rightful disposition is clarified.
Gregory

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