Letter 9004: Gregory to Januarius, a Bishop of Sardinia. We knew before the letter of your Fraternity reached us what our enemies had effected in Sardinia. And, having for some time feared that this would be so, we now groan with you on what we foresaw having come to pass.

Gregory to Januarius, Bishop of Cagliari. I knew before your Brotherhood's letter reached me what our enemies had accomplished in Sardinia. Having long feared this would happen, I now grieve with you over what I foresaw coming to pass. Had attention been paid to what I wrote both to our most excellent son Gennadius and to you -- warning that this would occur -- the enemy would either not have entered your territory or, having entered, would have suffered the very losses they inflicted. Even now, let what has happened sharpen your vigilance for the future. I too will not neglect whatever I am able to do, with the Lord's help. Know also that the abbot I sent some time ago to Agilulph has, by God's mercy, arranged a peace with him along the lines prescribed in writing by the most excellent Exarch. Until the formal agreements confirming this peace are drawn up, and lest our enemies take advantage of the current delay to strike again, see to it that watches are maintained on the walls and careful attention is given in all places. I trust in our Redeemer's power that the raids and plots of our adversaries will not harm you again. As for your saying in your letter that many people lay complaints against you before me -- this is true. But among the various charges, nothing has distressed me more than what our beloved son the abbot Cyriacus reported: that on the Lord's Day, before Mass, you caused a field of grain to be plowed up on the property of Donatus, and then, as if that were not enough, went there in person after the sacrifice was finished and dug up the boundary markers. I urge you to reflect carefully on the office you bear and to avoid entirely whatever is unworthy of it.

Book IX, Letter 4 To Januarius, Bishop of Caralis (Cagliari). Gregory to Januarius, a Bishop of Sardinia. We knew before the letter of your Fraternity reached us what our enemies had effected in Sardinia. And, having for some time feared that this would be so, we now groan with you on what we foresaw having come to pass. But, if attention had been paid to what we wrote to our most excellent son Gennadius , as well as to yourself, telling you that this would be so, the enemy would either not have come into your regions, or, when they came, they would have incurred the danger which they have caused. Even now, then, let what has happened sharpen your vigilance for the future. For we, too, by no means omit whatever we are able to do for good, the Lord helping us. Know, moreover, that the abbot whom, now a considerable time ago, we sent to Agilulph, has by the mercy of God arranged a peace with him, so far as was directed in writing by the most excellent Exarch. And so, till such time as the agreements for the confirmation of this peace shall be drawn up, lest perchance our enemies during the present delay should be inclined to come again into those parts, do you cause watches of the walls to be kept up, and careful attention given in all places. And we trust in the power of our Redeemer that the incursions or plots of our adversaries will not injure you anew. As to your saying in your letter that many persons lay complaints against you before us, this is true; but among various things nothing has distressed us so much as what our most beloved son, the abbot Cyriacus, has reported to us; namely, that on the Lord's day before mass you caused a crop of grain to be ploughed up in the field which is in the possession of Donatus, and, as if that were not enough, went, after the sacrifice was finished, in person to the place, and dug up the boundaries . For this reason I exhort you to consider with anxious attention the office which you bear, and to avoid entirely whatever may injure your reputation or your soul, and let no one persuade you to do the like again. For know that you have not undertaken the care of earthly things, but the leadership of souls. On this, therefore, you ought to fix your heart, your anxiety, your entire devotion., and to give your diligent thought to the winning of souls, that when you shall render to the Lord at His coming the talents that He has delivered to you multiplied, you may be counted worthy to receive from Him the fruit of retribution, and to be exalted among His faithful servants in eternal glory. Know, however, that what I now say in the way of reproach or blame comes not from asperity, but from brotherly love, since I desire you to be found a priest before Almighty God, not in name only, which tends only to punishment, but also in desert, which looks to recompense. For, we being one member in the body of our Redeemer, as I am rent asunder in your fault, so also am I rejoiced in your good conduct. Furthermore, with regard to your desire that we should depute a person from our side (a nostro latere), to whom you may communicate in detail the cases that are to be referred to us, write whatever you will to our most beloved son Peter and to Theodore the counsellor (consiliario), that, when it has been communicated to us through them, whatever reason may commend may be settled, the Lord revealing the way. Moreover, concerning our brother and fellow bishop Marinianus , cognizance will be taken, when peace with the aforesaid Agilulph shall have been fully confirmed, and whatever the order of reason may dictate will be done. About this page Source. Translated by James Barmby. From Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, Vol. 13. Edited by Philip Schaff and Henry Wace. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1898.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight. <https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/360209004.htm>. Contact information. The editor of New Advent is Kevin Knight. My email address is feedback732 at newadvent.org. (To help fight spam, this address might change occasionally.) Regrettably, I can't reply to every letter, but I greatly appreciate your feedback — especially notifications about typographical errors and inappropriate ads.