E06350: A letter of Pope Gregory the Great (Register 4.19) of 593, to Leo, an acolyte, orders him to care for the rents of a church, once a 'den of heretical depravity', now dedicated to orthodoxy and to *Agatha (virgin and martyr of Catania, S00794) in the Suburra, Rome; the church's property is the same as that held 'in the time of the Goths'. Written in Latin in Rome.

Pope Gregory the Great, Register of Letters 4.19


Full text of the letter:

GREGORIUS LEONI ACOLYTO
Locorum venerabilium cura nos admonet de eorum utilitate per omnia cogitare. Quia ergo ecclesia sanctae Agathae sita in Subura, quae spelunca fuit aliquando prauitatis haereticae, ad catholicae fidei culturam deo propitiante reducta est, ideoque huius auctoritatis tenore communitus pensiones omnium domorum in hac urbe constitutarum, quas praedicta ecclesia temporibus habuisse Gothorum constiterit, annis singulis congregare non desinas, et quantum in sarta tecta vel luminaribus aliaque reparatione eiusdem ecclesiae necessarium fuerit, erogare modis omnibus studebis. Quicquid vero exuberare potuerit, fideliter rationibus te ecclesiasticis praecipimus.


‘Gregory to Leo the acolyte
Our concern for venerable places reminds us to think about their usefulness in all ways. Thus, the church of Saint Agatha, situated in the Suburra, that was once a den of heretical depravity, has been brought back to the worship of the Catholic faith. For that reason, armed with the direction of this authority, continue to collect each year the rents on all the houses built in this city that the aforesaid church is agreed to have had in the time of the Goths. However much is needed for repairing the roof or for the lamps, you must strive to pay in full. But whatever might be left over, we order you to credit honestly to the church accounts.’


Text: Norberg 1982, vol.1, 237. Translation: Martyn 2004, vol. 1, 301-2, modified.