Sacred Texts
Christianity
Early Church Fathers
Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Ser. II, Vol. XII
Leo the Great, Gregory the Great
Title Page.
Title Page.
The Letters and Sermons of Leo the Great.
The Letters and Sermons of Leo the Great.
Title Page.
Prefatory Note.
Introduction.
Section I
Manuscripts.
Editions.
Translations.
Authorities and Materials.
Letters.
Letter I
To Septimus, Bishop of Altinum.
From Paschasinus, Bishop of Lilybæum.
To the Bishops appointed in Campania, Picenum, Etruria, and all the Provinces.
To the Metropolitan Bishops of Illyricum.
To Anastasius, Bishop of Thessalonica.
To the Bishops throughout Italy.
The Ordinance of Valentinian III. concerning the Manichæans.
To Dioscorus, Bishop of Alexandria.
To the Bishops of the Province of Vienne. In the matter of Hilary, Bishop of Arles.
An Ordinance of Valentinianus III.
To All the Bishops of Mauritania Cæsariensis.
To the Metropolitan Bishops in the Provinces of Illyricum.
To Anastasius, Bishop of Thessalonica.
To Turribius, Bishop of Asturia, upon the errors of the Priscillianists.
To the Bishops of Sicily.
To All the Bishops of Sicily.
To Januarius, Bishop of Aquileia.
To Dorus, Bishop of Beneventum.
To Eutyches, an Abbot of Constantinople.
From Eutyches to Leo.
The first from Flavian, Bp. of Constantinople to Pope Leo.
To Flavian, Bishop of Constantinople.
To Theodosius Augustus II.
From Peter Chrysologus, Bishop of Ravenna, to Eutyches, the Presbyter.
A Second One from Flavian to Leo.
To Flavian, Bishop of Constantinople.
To Flavian commonly called “the Tome.”
To Theodosius Augustus.
To Pulcheria Augusta.
To Pulcheria Augusta.
To the Archimandrites of Constantinople.
To the Synod of Ephesus.
To Julian, Bishop of Cos.
To Julian, Bishop of Cos.
To Flavian, Bishop of Constantinople.
To Theodosius Augustus.
To Flavian, Bishop of Constantinople.
To Flavian, Bishop of Constantinople.
To the Bishops of the Province of Arles in Gaul.
To Ravennius, Bishop of Arles.
To Ravennius, Bishop of Arles.
To Theodosius Augustus.
To Theodosius Augustus.
To Pulcheria Augusta.
From Hilary, then Deacon (afterwards Bishop of Rome) to Pulcheria Augusta.
To Anastasius, Bishop of Thessalonica.
To Julian, Bishop of Cos.
To Flavian, Bishop of Constantinople.
To the people of Constantinople, by the hand of Epiphanius and Dionysius, Notary of the Church of Rome.
To Faustus and other Presbyters and Archimandrites in Constantinople.
From Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrus, to Leo. (See vol. iii. of this Series, p. 293.)
A Fragment of a Letter from Anatolius, Bishop of Constantinople.
To Theodosius Augustus.
Letter LV. toLVIII.
Letter LIX
To Pulcheria Augusta.
To Martinus and Faustus, Presbyters.
Letter LXII. toLXIV.
Letter LXV
Leo's Reply to Letter LXV.
To Ravennius, Bishop of Arles.
From Three Gallic Bishops to St. Leo.
To Theodosius Augustus.
To Pulcheria Augusta.
To the Archimandrites of Constantinople.
To Faustus, One of the Archimandrites at Constantinople.
From Valentinian and Marcian.
To Martinus, Another of the Archimandrites at Constantinople.
To Faustus and Martinus Together.
From Marcianus Augustus to Leo.
From Pulcheria Augusta to Leo.
Leo's Answer to Marcianus.
To Pulcheria Augusta.
To Anatolius, Bishop of Constantinople.
To Bishop Julian.
To Marcian Augustus.
To the Same Marcian.
To Pulcheria Augusta.
To Anatolius, Bishop of Constantinople.
To Julian, Bishop of Cos.
To Anatolius, Bishop of Constantinople.
To Paschasinus, Bishop of Lilybæum.
To Marcian Augustus.
To Marcian Augustus.
To Anatolius, Bishop of Constantinople.
To Julian, Bishop of Cos.
To the Synod of Chalcedon.
To Marcian Augustus.
To Pulcheria Augusta by the Hand of Theoctistus the Magistrian.
To Ravennius, Bishop of Arles.
From Eusebius, Bishop of Milan, to Leo.
From the Synod of Chalcedon to Leo.
From Ravennus and Other Gallic Bishops.
From the Emperor Marcian.
From Anatolius, Bishop of Constantinople, to Leo.
To the Gallic Bishops.
To the Gallic Bishops.
Leo, the Bishop, to Marcian Augustus.
To Pulcheria Augusta about the self-seeking of Anatolius.
To Anatolius, Bishop of Constantinople, in rebuke of his self-seeking.
To Julian, Bishop of Cos.
To Theodore, Bishop of Forum Julii.
To Julian, Bishop of Cos.
From Marcian Augustus.
To Marcian Augustus.
To Pulcheria Augusta.
To Julian, Bishop of Cos.
To the Bishops Assembled in Synod at Chalcedon.
To Marcian Augustus.
To Pulcheria Augusta.
To Julian, Bishop of Cos.
To the Same Julian, Bishop of Cos.
To Maximus, Bishop of Antioch, by the hand of Marian the Presbyter, and Olympius the Deacon.
To Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrus, on Perseverance in the Faith.
Letter CXXI. andCXXII.
Letter CXXIII
To the Monks of Palestine.
To Julian, the Bishop, by Count Rodanus.
To Marcian Augustus.
To Julian, Bishop of Cos.
To Marcian Augustus.
To Proterius, Bishop of Alexandria.
To Marcian Augustus.
To Julian, Bishop of Cos.
From Anatolius, Bishop of Constantinople, to Leo.
From Proterius, Bishop of Alexandria, to Leo.
To Marcian Augustus.
To Anatolius.
To Marcian Augustus.
To the same, and on the same day.
To the Bishops of Gaul and Spain.
To Juvenal, Bishop of Jerusalem.
To Julian, Bishop of Cos.
To the Same.
To Marcian Augustus.
To Anatolius, Bishop of Constantinople.
To Julian, Bishop of Cos.
To Leo Augustus.
To Anatolius, Bishop of Constantinople.
To Julian, Bishop of Cos, and Aetius, the Presbyter.
To Leo Augustus.
To Basil, Bishop of Antioch.
To Euxitheus, Bishop of Thessalonica (and Others).
To Anatolius, Bishop of Constantinople.
To Julian, Bishop of Cos.
To Aetius, Presbyter of Constantinople.
To the Egyptian Bishops.
To Anatolius, Bishop of Constantinople.
To Leo Augustus.
To Anatolius, Bishop of Constantinople.
To the Catholic Bishops of Egypt Sojourning in Constantinople.
To Nicætas, Bishop of Aquileia.
See Letter CLVIII.
To the Presbyters, Deacons and Clergy of the Church of Constantinople.
To Leo Augustus.
To Anatolius, Bishop of Constantinople. By Patritius the Deacon the Deacon.
To Leo Augustus.
To Leo Augustus.
To Neo, Bishop of Ravenna.
To Rusticus, Bishop of Gallia Narbonensis, with the replies to his Questions on various points.
To all the Bishops of Campania, Samnium and Picenum.
To Leo Augustus.
To Gennadius, Bishop of Constantinople.
To Timothy, Bishop of Alexandria.
To the Presbyters and Deacons of the Church of Alexandria.
To Certain Egyptian Bishops.
Sermons.
Sermon I
Sermon II
Sermon III
Sermon IX
Sermon X
Sermon XII
Sermon XVI
Sermon XVII
Sermon XIX
Sermon XXI
Sermon XXII
Sermon XXIII
Sermon XXIV
Sermon XXVI
Sermon XXVII
Sermon XXVIII
Sermon XXXI
Sermon XXXIII
Sermon XXXIV
Sermon XXXVI
Sermon XXXIX
Sermon XL
Sermon XLII
Sermon XLVI
Sermon XLIX
Sermon LI
Sermon LIV
Sermon LV
Sermon LVIII
Sermon LIX
Sermon LXII
Sermon LXIII
Sermon LXVII
Sermon LXVIII
Sermon LXXI
Sermon LXXII
Sermon LXXIII
Sermon LXXIV
Sermon LXXV
Sermon LXXVII
Sermon LXXVIII
Sermon LXXXII
Sermon LXXXIV
Sermon LXXXV
Sermon LXXXVIII
Sermon XC
Sermon XCI
Sermon XCV
The Book of Pastoral Rule, and Selected Epistles, of Gregory the Great.
The Book of Pastoral Rule, and Selected Epistles, of Gregory the Great.
Title Page.
Prefatory Note.
Prolegomena.
The Book of Pastoral Rule.
Preface.
Part I
Prologue.
Chapter I
That none should enter on a place of government who practise not in life what they have learnt by study.
Of the weight of government; and that all manner of adversity is to be despised, and prosperity feared.
That for the most part the occupation of government dissipates the solidity of the mind.
Of those who are able to profit others by virtuous example in supreme rule, but fly from it in pursuit of their own ease.
That those who fly from the burden of rule through humility are then truly humble when they resist not the divine decrees.
That sometimes some laudably desire the office of preaching, while others, as laudably, are drawn to it by compulsion.
Of those who covet pre-eminence, and seize on the language of the Apostle to serve the purpose of their own cupidity.
That the mind of those who wish for pre-eminence for the most part flatters itself with a feigned promise of good works.
What manner of man ought to come to rule.
What manner of man ought not to come to rule.
Part II
Chapter I
That the ruler should be pure in thought.
That the ruler should be always chief in action.
That the ruler should be discreet in keeping silence, profitable in speech.
That the ruler should be a near neighbour to every one in compassion, and exalted above all in contemplation.
That the ruler should be, through humility, a companion of good livers, but, through the zeal of righteousness, rigid against the vices of evildoers.
That the ruler relax not his care for the things that are within in his occupation among the things that are without, nor neglect to provide for the things that are without in his solicitude for the things that are within.
That the ruler should not set his heart on pleasing men, and yet should give heed to what ought to please them.
That the ruler ought to be careful to understand how commonly vices pass themselves off as virtues.
What the ruler's discrimination should be between correction and connivance, between fervour and gentleness.
How intent the ruler ought to be on meditations in the Sacred Law.
Part III
Prologue.
Chapter I
How the poor and the rich should be admonished.
How the joyful and the sad are to be admonished.
How subjects and prelates are to be admonished.
How servants and masters are to be admonished.
How the wise and the dull are to be admonished.
How the impudent and bashful are to be admonished.
How the forward and the faint-hearted are to be admonished.
How the impatient and the patient are to be admonished.
How the kindly-disposed and the envious are to be admonished.
How the simple and the crafty are to be admonished.
How the whole and the sick are to be admonished.
How those who fear scourges and those who contemn them are to be admonished.
How the silent and the talkative are to be admonished.
How the slothful and the hasty are to be admonished.
How the meek and the passionate are to be admonished.
How the humble and the haughty are to be admonished.
How the obstinate and the fickle are to be admonished.
How those who use food intemperately and those who use it sparingly are to be admonished.
How to be admonished are those who give away what is their own, and those who seize what belongs to others.
How those are to be admonished who desire not the things of others, but keep their own; and those who give of their own, yet seize on those of others.
How those that are at variance and those that are at peace are to be admonished.
How sowers of strifes and peacemakers are to be admonished.
How the rude in sacred learning, and those who are learned but not humble, are to be admonished.
How those are to be admonished who decline the office of preaching out of too great humility, and those who seize on it with precipitate haste.
How those are to be admonished with whom everything succeeds according to their wish, and those with whom nothing does.
How the married and the single are to be admonished.
How those are to be admonished who have had experience of the sins of the flesh, and those who have not.
How they are to be admonished who lament sins of deed, and those who lament only sins of thought.
How those are to be admonished who abstain not from the sins which they bewail, and those who, abstaining from them, bewail them not.
How those are to be admonished who praise the unlawful things of which they are conscious, and those who while condemning them, in no wise guard against them.
How those are to be admonished who sin from sudden impulse and those who sin deliberately.
How those are to be admonished who commit very small but frequent faults, and those who, while avoiding such as are very small, are sometimes plunged in such as are grievous.
How those are to be admonished who do not even begin good things, and those who do not finish them when begun.
How those are to be admonished who do bad things secretly and good things openly, and those who do contrariwise.
Concerning the exhortation to be addressed many at once, that It may so aid the virtues of each among them that vices contrary to such virtues may not grow up through it.
Of the exhortation to be applied to one person, who labours under contrary passions.
That sometimes lighter vices are to be left alone, that more grievous ones may be removed.
That deep things ought not to be preached at all to weak souls.
Of the work and the voice of preaching.
Part IV
Register of the Epistles of St. Gregory the Great.
Book I
Epistle I
To Justinus, Prætor of Sicily.
To Paul, Scholasticus.
To John, Bishop of Constantinople.
To Theoctista, Sister of the Emperor.
To Narses, Patrician.
To Anastasius, Patriarch of Antioch.
Epistle IX
To Bacauda and Agnellus, Bishops.
To Clementina, Patrician.
To John, Bishop of Urbs Vetus (Orvieto).
Epistle XVI
To all the Bishops of Italy.
To Peter the Subdeacon.
To Natalis, Bishop of Salona.
To Honoratus, Deacon of Salona.
To Natalis, Bishop of Salona.
Epistle XXV
To Anastasius, Patriarch of Antioch.
To Anastasius, Archbishop of Corinth.
To Sebastian, Bishop of Rhisinum [in Dalmatia].
To Aristobulus, Ex-Prefect and Antigraphus.
Epistle XXXIII
To Venantius, Ex-Monk, Patrician of Syracuse.
To Peter, Bishop of Terracina.
To Peter the Subdeacon.
Epistle XXXIX
Epistle XLI
To Anthemius, Subdeacon.
To Leander Bishop of Hispalis (Seville).
To Peter, Subdeacon of Sicily.
Epistle XLVI
To Virgilius, Bishop of Arelate (Arles) and Theodorus, Bishop of Massilia (Marseilles).
To Theodorus, Duke of Sardinia.
To Honoratus, Deacon.
To Anthemius the Subdeacon.
Epistle LII
Epistle LVI
To Severus, Bishop.
To Arsicinus Duke, the Clergy, Nobility, and Common People (ordini et plebi) of the City of Ariminum.
Epistle LXI
To Januarius, Archbishop of Caralis (Cagliari) in Sardinia.
To Januarius, Bishop of Caralis (Cagliari) in Sardinia.
Epistle LXVI
To Peter, Subdeacon.
Epistle LXXII
Epistle LXXIV
To Gennadius, Patrician, and Exarch throughout Africa.
Epistle LXXVII
To Leo, Bishop in Corsica.
To Martinus, Bishop in Corsica.
To the Clergy and Nobles of Corsica.
Book II
Epistle III
Epistle VI
To Maximianus, Bishop of Syracuse.
Epistle IX
To Paulus, Bishop of Naples.
Epistle XII
Epistle XV
Epistle XVIII
To all the Bishops of Dalmatia.
To Antoninus, Subdeacon.
Epistle XXII
To John, Bishop.
Epistle XXVI
To Rusticiana, Patrician.
Epistle XXIX
To Maurilius and Vitalianus.
Epistle XXXII
To Justinus, Prætor.
To Maximianus, Bishop of Syracuse.
Epistle XXXVI
To John, Bishop of Squillacium (Squillace, in Calabria).
Epistle XLI
To Luminosus, Abbot.
Epistle XLVI
To Dominicus, Bishop.
To Columbus, Bishop.
To Januarius, Archbishop.
Epistle LI
To Natalis, Bishop.
Epistle LIV
Book III
Epistle I
To Paulus, Bishop.
To John, Abbot.
Epistle V
To John, Bishop.
To John, Bishop.
To Natalis, Archbishop.
To Antoninus, Subdeacon.
To Savinus, Subdeacon.
Epistle XII
Epistle XV
Epistle XXII
Epistle XXIX
To John, Subdeacon.
To Romanus, Patrician.
To Honoratus, Archdeacon.
To Dynamius, Patrician.
Epistle XXXV
To Sabinus, Guardian (Defensorem).
Epistle XXXVIII
Epistle XLV
To John, Bishop.
To the Clergy of the Church of Salona.
To Columbus, Bishop.
To Adeodatus, Bishop.
Epistle LI
Epistle LIII
Epistle LVI
From John, Bishop of Ravenna to Pope Gregory.
Epistle LIX
To Italica, Patrician.
Epistle LXV
To Theodorus, Physician.
To Domitian, Metropolitan.
Book IV
Epistle I
To Constantius, Bishop.
To Constantius, Bishop.
To Queen Theodelinda.
To Boniface, Bishop.
To Cyprian, Deacon.
To Gennadius, Patrician.
To Januarius, Bishop.
To Januarius, Bishop.
To All the Bishops of Dalmatia.
To Maximianus, Bishop.
Epistle XV
Epistle XVIII
Epistle XX
To Venantius, Bishop.
Epistle XXIII
To Zabardas, Duke of Sardinia.
To the Nobles and Proprietors in Sardinia.
To Januarius, Bishop.
To Januarius, Bishop.
Epistle XXIX
To Constantina Augusta.
To Theodorus, Physician.
To Narses the Patrician.
To Anthemius, Subdeacon.
To Pantaleo, Præfect.
To Victor and Columbus, Bishops.
To Leo, Bishop.
Epistle XXXVIII
To Constantius, Bishop.
Epistle XLVI
To Sabinianus, Deacon.
Book V
Epistle II
Epistle IV
To Dominicus, Bishop.
Epistle VIII
Epistle XI
Epistle XV
Epistle XVII
To John, Bishop.
To Sabinianus, Deacon.
To Mauricius Augustus.
To Constantina Augusta.
Epistle XXIII
Epistle XXV
To the people of Ravenna.
Epistle XXIX
To Mauricius Augustus.
Epistle XXXVI
Epistle XXXIX
To Mauricius Augustus.
To Constantina Augusta.
To Sebastian, Bishop.
To Eulogius and Anastasius, Bishops.
Epistle XLVIII
To Leander, Bishop.
Epistle LII
To Virgilius, Bishop.
To all the Bishops of the Kingdom of Childebert.
To King Childebert.
To Marinianus, Bishop.
To John, Bishop.
To all the Bishops throughout Helladia.
Book VI
Epistle I
To the Clergy and People of Ravenna.
To Maximus of Salona.
Epistle V
To King Childebert.
To Candidus, Presbyter.
To the Bishops of Epirus.
To Donus, Bishop.
Epistle XII
Epistle XIV
To John, Bishop.
To Mauricius, Augustus.
To Theotistus.
To John, Bishop.
Epistle XXII
Epistle XXIV
To Maximus of Salona.
To the Salonitans.
To the Clergy and People of Jadera.
Epistle XXIX
To Secundus.
Epistle XXXII
Epistle XXXIV
To Anthemius, Subdeacon.
Epistle XXXVII
Epistle XLIII
To John, Bishop.
Epistle XLVI
Epistle XLVIII
To Palladius, Bishop.
To Queen Brunichild.
To the Brethren going to England (Angliam).
To Pelagius and Serenus, Bishops.
To Virgilius, Bishop.
To Desiderius and Syagrius, Bishops.
To Protasius, Bishop.
To Stephen, Abbot.
To Arigius, Patrician.
To Theodoric and Theodebert.
To Brunichild, Queen of the Franks.
To Eulogius, Bishop.
To Castorius, Notary.
Epistle LXIII
Epistle LXV
To Athanasius, Presbyter.
Book VII
Epistle II
Epistle IV
To Cyriacus, Bishop.
To Mauricius Augustus.
To Peter, Domitian, and Elpidius.
Epistle XI
To Respecta, Abbess.
To Fortunatus, Bishop.
Epistle XV
Epistle XVII
Epistle XIX
To the Clergy and People Ariminum.
Epistle XXIII
Epistle XXV
To Theoctista, Patrician.
To Anastasius, Bishop.
To Theodore, Physician.
Epistle XXX
To Cyriacus, Bishop.
To Anastasius, Presbyter.
To Mauricius Augustus.
To Eulogius, Bishop.
To Dominicus, Bishop.
Epistle XXXVIII
To John, Bishop.
To Eulogius, Bishop.
Epistle XLII
To Marinianus, Bishop.
Book VIII
Epistle I
To Anastasius, Bishop of Antioch.
To Donus, Bishop of Messana (in Sicily).
Epistle V
To Amos, Patriarch of Jerusalem.
Epistle X
Epistle XIII
To Boniface, First Guardian (Defensorem).
To Marinianus, Bishop of Ravenna.
Epistle XVII
To Agnellus, Bishop of Terracina.
Epistle XX
To John, Bishop of Syracuse.
To Rusticiana, Patrician.
To Fantinus, Guardian (Defensorem).
To Sabinianus, Bishop of Jadera.
Epistle XIX
To Eulogius, Bishop of Alexandria.
Epistle XXXIII
To John Bishop of Scyllacium.
To Leontius, Ex-Consul.
Indexes
Indexes
Index of Scripture References
Greek Words and Phrases
French Words and Phrases
Index of Pages of the Print Edition