E06332: A letter of Pope Gregory the Great (Register 2.13) of 592, to Bishop Iohannes of Velletri (near Rome), orders him, because of barbarian incursions, to move the seat of his diocese to a place dedicated to *Andrew (the Apostle, S00288). Written in Latin in Rome.

Pope Gregory the Great, Register of Letters 2.13


Although normally bishops should not move their sees, Gregory recommends that an exception be made in this case to avoid the incursions of the barbarians:

Propterea te Iohannem fratrem coepiscopumque nostrum Vellitrensis ciuitatis sedemque tuam in loco qui appellatur Arenata ad sanctum Andream apostolum praecepimus exinde transmigrari, quatenus et ab hostilitatis incursu liberior exsistere ualeas, et illic consuetudine sollemnium festa disponas.

‘For that reason we have ordered you, John, our brother and fellow-bishop, bishop of the city of Velletri, as well as your see in the place called Arenata, to be moved from there to Saint Andrew the apostle, so that you can live with more freedom from hostile incursions and also arrange festivals there with customary solemnities.’


Text: Norberg 1982, vol. 1, 99-100. Translation: Martyn 204, vol. 1, 200.