E06359: A letter of Pope Gregory the Great (Register 5.50) of 595, to Fortunatus, bishop of Naples, mentions the abbot of a monastery of Saint *Martin (ascetic and bishop of Tours, ob. 397, S00050), and an oratory dedicated to *Peter (the Apostle, S00008) and *Michael (the Archangel, S00181), both presumably in the diocese of Naples (southern Italy). Written in Latin in Rome.

Pope Gregory the Great, Register of Letters 5.50


Extract from the opening of the letter:

Theodosius abbas monasterii sancti Martini petitorii nobis insinuatione suggessit, quae habetur in subditis, in domo quondam Marini ex eius uoluntate secundum testamenti seriem oratorium decessorem suum Andream abbam, in qua monachi habitare debeant, construxisse. Et quia id in honore beati Petri principis apostolorum et sancti archangeli Michaelis postulat dedicari, dilectionem tuam praesentibus apicibus duximus adhortandam quatenus ad praedictum locum, cum postulauerit, ingrauanter accedas, uenerandae sollemnia dedicationis impendens, et, quotiens necesse fuerit, a presbyteris ecclesiae tuae in sancto loco deseruientibus celebrentur sacrificia ueneranda missarum.

‘Theodosius, abbot of the monastery of Saint Martin, suggested to us with his notification of a judicial claim (which is included below), that his predecessor, abbot Andrew, had constructed an oratory some time ago in the home of Marinus, according to his wishes as stated in his will, as a place for monks to live. And because he asks for it to be dedicated in honour of Saint Peter, the prince of the apostles, and of Michael, the holy archangel, we thought it proper to encourage your Beloved with the words of this letter to put all differences aside and go to the aforesaid place, when the abbot asks, and to apply the solemnities of a venerable dedication, so that when it is necessary, the revered sacrifices of masses may be celebrated by priests of your church serving in that holy place.’


Text: Norberg 1982, vol. 1, 344. Translation: Martyn 2004, vol. 2, 376, lightly modified.