E06878: Pope Pelagius I, in a letter of 556/561 to a bishop Eleutherius, authorises the consecration of an oratory in honour of a 'martyr Cantiana' (just possibly *Cantianilla, martyr of Aquileia, S01552), on an estate named 'Pancellus', probably in southern Italy. Written in Latin in Rome.

Pelagius I, Letter to Eleutherius

Extract:

Maximus diaconus Ecclesiae dilectionis tuae nobis suggessit, in fundo qui appellatur Pancellus, oratorium se pro sua devotione fundasse, quod in honore beatae Cantianae martyris desiderat consecrare. Et ideo, frater charissime, si in tua dioecesi memorata constructio jure consistit, et nullum corpus ibidem constat humatum, percepta prius donatione legitima vel possessione illa et illa, praesetantes liberos a fiscalibus titulis solidos tot, gestisque municipalibus allegatis, praedictum oratorium absque missis publicis solemniter consecrabis;

‘Maximus, deacon of the Church of your affection, has informed us of his desire that an oratory he has founded for his devotion, on the estate which is called Pancellus, be consecrated in honour of the blessed martyr Cantiana. And so, dearest brother, if the aforementioned building rightly belongs in your diocese, and it is clear that no body is buried there, first receive the legitimate donation or possessions, from today, a number of gold coins free of imperial tribute, pledged by municipal act. And then you will solemnly consecrate the aforesaid oratory without public masses.’

Text: Patrologia Latina 69. Translation and summary: Frances Trzeciak.