E04433: Gregory the Great, in his Dialogues (1.7), describes three miracles effected by *Nonnosus (prior of Mount Soracte, ob. c. 570, S01713) on Mount Soracte, near Rome. These were conducted in imitation of *Gregory (the Miracle Worker, S00687), *Donatus (bishop of Arezzo, S01527) and *Elisha (Old Testament Prophet, S00239). Written in Latin in Rome, c. 593.

Gregory the Great, Dialogues 1.7

Summary:

In his mountain monastery, Nonnosus found a small patch of level ground suitable for a garden. This ground was covered by a large stone, too great to move. Nonnosus prayed that the stone might be moved, and when he returned the next day, the rock was removed.

Another time, Nonnosus smashed a glass lamp whilst washing it. He swept the fragments before the altar and prayed. The glass lamp was miraculously repaired.

Gregory states that in these miracles, Nonnosus imitated Gregory the Miracle Worker and Donatus.

When the oil supply at the monastery ran out, to avoid the monks having to work for oil, Nonnosus placed a few olives in the press. The small amount of oil they yielded was spread between many jars. The next day they were full of oil. In this, Nonnusus imitated the Old Testament prophet Elisha.

Summary: Frances Trzeciak.