Epistle LXI.
To Gennadius, Patrician and Exarch of Africa.
Gregory to Gennadius, &c.
That you have unceasingly the fear of
God
before your eyes, and pursue justice, the subdued
necks of enemies testify; but, that the grace of Christ may keep your
Glory in the same prosperity, restrain, as you have been wont, with
speedy prohibition whatever things you discover to be committed
wrongfully, so that, fortified with the arms of justice, you may
overcome hostile attacks with the power of faith, which is the top of
all virtue. Now Marinianus, our brother and fellow-bishop of the
city of Turris
1374
has tearfully
represented to us that the poor of his city are being vexed everywhere,
and afflicted by expenses in the way of gifts or payments
1375
; and further that the religious
1376
of his church endure serious
molestation from the men of Theodorus the
magister militum
, and
suffer bodily injuries; and that this thing is breaking out to such a
pitch that (shocking to say) they are thrust into prison, and that he
himself also is seriously hindered by the aforesaid glorious person in
causes pertaining to his Church. How opposed such things are, if
indeed they are true, to the discipline of the republic you yourselves
know. And, since it befits your Excellency to amend all these
things, greeting your Eminence I demand of you that you suffer them to
be done no more; but straightly order him to abstain from harming the
Church, and that none be aggrieved by burdens laid upon them, or
payments
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, beyond what
reason allows, and that, if there should be any suits, they be
determined not by the terror of power, but by order of law. I
pray you, then, so correct all these things, the
Lord
inspiring you, by the menace of your injunction that
the glorious Theodorus and his men may abstain from such things, if not
out of regard to rectitude, yet at any rate out of fear inspired by
your command; that so, to the advancement of your credit and reward,
justice with liberty may flourish in the parts committed to your
charge.
1374
Turritana
civitas
, a city in Sardinia, called by Pliny (lib. iii. c. 7)
Turris Lybissonis
, and by Ptolemy (lib. iii. c. 5)
Turris
Byssonis
.
1375
Commodalibus
dispendiis
. The word
commodum
is used not only for a
stipend, or a present or gratuity, but also for exacted payments,
“Pro quavis pensitatione vel etiam exactione usurpat Gregor.
M.” Du Cange.
1376
Religiosos
ecclesiæ
. By the terms
religiosi
and
religiosæ
were denoted not only monks, nuns, dedicated
virgins, and clergy, but also other persons devoted to piety and good
works in connection with the Church. Cf. xi. 54, “laico
religioso.” See
reff
. in Index under
Religiosus
.
1377
Angariis seu
commodis. Angarium
, or
angaria
, denotes any forced
service imposed on people, either rendered in person or in money
payment. See also V. 8, note 4.