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| − | {{Infobox Pope|
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| − | English name=Pope Gregory I|
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| − | Latin name=Gregory Dialogus|
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| − | image=[[Image:gregorythegreat.jpg|200px]]|
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| − | birth_name=Gregory|
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| − | term_start=September 3, 590|
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| − | term_end=March 12, 604|
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| − | predecessor=[[Pope Pelagius II|Pelagius II]]|
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| − | successor=[[Pope Sabinian|Sabinian]]|
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| − | birth_date=c. 540|
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| − | birthplace=[[Rome]], [[Italy]]|
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| − | dead=dead|
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| − | death_date={{death date|604|3|12|mf=y}}|
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| − | deathplace= [[Rome]], [[Italy]]|
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| − | other=Gregory
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| − | }}
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| − | '''Pope Saint Gregory I''' or '''Gregory the Great''' (c. 540 – March 12, 604) was [[pope]] from September 3, 590, until his death. He is also known as '''Gregory Dialogus''' (the Dialogist) in [[Eastern Orthodoxy]] because of the ''[[Dialogue]]s'' he wrote. Gregory was one of the last popes not to have changed his name when elected to the [[papacy]].
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| − | The first pope from a monastic background, Gregory is a [[Doctor of the Church]] and one of the four great [[Latin Fathers]] of the Church (the others being [[Ambrose]], [[Augustine of Hippo|Augustine]], and [[Jerome]]). Of all popes, Gregory I had the most influence on the [[early medieval]] church.
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| − | A senator’s son and himself the governor of [[Rome]] at 30, Gregory tried the [[monastery]] but soon returned to active public life, ending his life and the century as pope. Organization and [[diplomacy]], not ideas, made Gregory great. He was stronger than the emperors of declining Rome, and challenged the power of the [[patriarch]] of Constantinople in the battle between East and West.
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| − | Gregory regained papal authority in [[Spain]] and [[France]], and sent missionaries to [[England]]. The realignment of [[barbarian]] allegiance to Rome from their [[Arianism|Arian]] Christian alliances shaped medieval Europe. Gregory saw [[Franks]], [[Lombards]], and [[Visigoths]] align with Rome in religion. He asserted the primacy of the [[Roman See]], establishing papal power for the future.
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| − | ==Biography==
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| − | ===Early life===
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| − | The exact date of Gregory's birth is uncertain, but is usually estimated to be around the year 540. He was born into a wealthy noble Roman family, in a period, however, when the city of [[Rome]] was facing a serious decline in population, wealth, and influence. His family seems to have been devout. Gregory's great-great grandfather had been Pope [[Felix III]]. Gregory's father, Gordianus, worked for the [[Roman Church]] and his father's three sisters were [[nuns]]. Gregory's mother [[Saint Silvia|Silvia]] herself is a [[saint]]. While his father lived, Gregory took part in Roman political life and at one point was prefect (governor) of the city. However, on his father's death, he converted his family home, located on a hill just opposite the [[Circus Maximus]], into a [[monastery]] dedicated to the [[Twelve apostles|apostle]], [[St. Andrew]]. Gregory himself entered as a [[monk]].
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| − | Eventually, Pope [[Pelagius II]] ordained him a [[deacon]] and solicited his help in trying to heal the Nestorian [[schism]] of the [[Three Chapters]] in [[northern Italy]]. In 579, Pelagius chose Gregory as his ''apocrisiarius'' or ambassador to the imperial court in [[Constantinople]].
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| − | ===Confrontation with Eutychius===
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| − | In Constantinople as the papal envoy, Gregory gained attention by starting a [[controversy]] with [[Patriarch Eutychius of Constantinople]], who had published a treatise on the resurrection of the dead, in which he argued that the bodies of the resurrected would be incorporeal. Gregory insisted on their corporeality, just as that of the risen [[Christ]] had been. The heat of argument drew the [[Roman Emperor|emperor]] in as judge. Eutychius' treatise was condemned, and it suffered the normal fate of all heterodox texts, of being [[Book-burning|publicly burnt]]. On his return to Rome, Gregory acted as first secretary to Pelagius, and was later elected pope to succeed him.
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| − | ===Gregory as Pope===
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| − | [[Image:Pope Gregory I.jpg|thumb|Pope Gregory the Great wearing the [[pallium]] and the ''[[Origins of the Papal Tiara|camelaucum]]'', an early form of the [[Papal Tiara]].]]
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| − | When he became pope in 590, among Gregory's first acts was the writing of a series of letters disavowing any ambition to the throne of Peter and praising the contemplative life of the monks. However, he soon showed himself to be an effective administrator who greatly increased the authority and influence of the papacy.
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| − | At the time, the bishops in [[Gaul]] were drawn from the great territorial families, and identified with them. In [[Visigoths|Visigothic]] [[Spain]] the [[bishop]]s had little contact with Rome; in [[Italy]] the papacy was beset by the violent [[Lombards|Lombard]] dukes. The scholarship and culture of [[Celtic Christianity]] had developed utterly unconnected with Rome, and it was thus from [[Ireland]] that [[Great Britain|Britain]] and [[Germany]] were likely to become [[Christianization|Christianized]], or so it seemed.
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| − | ===Servant of the servants of God===
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| − | [[Image:Francisco de Zurbarán 040.jpg|250px|left|thumb|Pope Gregory I, by [[Francisco de Zurbarán]].]]
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| − | In line with his predecessors such as [[Pope Dionysius|Dionysius]], [[Pope Damasus I|Damasus]], and [[Leo the Great]], Gregory asserted the [[Papal primacy|primacy]] of the office of the [[bishop of Rome]]. Although he did not employ the term "pope," he summed up the responsibilities of the papacy in his official appellation, as "servant of the servants of God."
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| − | Gregory's pontificate saw the development of the notion of private [[penance]] as parallel to the institution of public penance. He explicitly taught a doctrine of [[Purgatory]], where a soul destined to undergo purification after death because of certain sins could begin its purification in this earthly life, through [[Divine grace|good works]], [[obedience]], and Christian conduct.
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| − | Gregory's relations with the emperor in the East were a cautious diplomatic stand-off. He concentrated his energies in the West, where many of his letters are concerned with the management of papal estates.
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| − | More immediately, Gregory undertook the conversion of the [[Heptarchy|Anglo-Saxon kingdoms]], where inaction might have encouraged the Celtic missionaries already active in the north of Britain. He sent [[Augustine of Canterbury]] to Kent, and by the time of Gregory's death, the conversion of the king and the Kentish nobles had been accomplished.
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| − | Among Gregory's other chief acts as pope is his long letter issued in the matter of the schism of the [[Three Chapters]]. He is also known in the East as a tireless worker for communication and understanding between East and West. He was reportedly [[canonization|declared a saint]] immediately after his death by "popular acclamation."
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| − | ==Liturgical reforms==
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| − | In letters, Gregory remarks that he moved the ''[[Pater Noster]]'' (Our Father) to immediately after the [[Roman Canon]] and immediately before the [[Fraction]]. He also reduced the role of [[deacon]]s in the Roman Liturgy.
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| − | [[Sacramentary|Sacramentaries]] directly influenced by Gregorian reforms are referred to as ''Sacrementaria Gregoriana''. With the appearance of these sacramentaries, the [[Latin liturgical rites|Western liturgy]] begins to show a characteristic that distinguishes it from Eastern liturgical traditions.
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| − | The famous "Gregorian" chant named for him is in fact a misnomer. To honor Gregory, pictures were made to depict the dove of the Holy Spirit perched on Gregory's shoulder, singing God's authentic form of chant into his ear. This gave rise to calling the music "[[Gregorian chant]]." A more accurate term is [[plainsong]] or plainchant.
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| − | Sometimes the establishment of the [[Gregorian Calendar]] is erroneously attributed to Gregory the Great; however, that calendar was actually instituted by [[Pope Gregory XIII]] in 1582 by way of a [[papal bull]] entitled, ''[[Inter gravissimas]]''.
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| − | ==Works==
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| − | [[Image:Beowig1.gif|thumb|200px|Illumination in a [[twelfth century]] [[manuscript]] of a letter of Gregory's to [[Saint Leander]], [[Seville|bishop of Seville]] (Bibl. Municipale, MS 2, [[Dijon]]).]]
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| − | Gregory is the only Pope between the [[fifth century|fifth]] and the [[11th century|eleventh centuries]] whose correspondence and writings have survived enough to form a comprehensive ''corpus''. Included in his surviving works are:
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| − | *Sermons (40 on the [[Gospel]]s are recognized as authentic, 22 on [[Ezekiel]], two on the ''[[Song of Songs]]'')
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| − | *''Dialogues'', a collection of often fanciful narratives including a popular life of [[Saint Benedict]]
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| − | *''[[Commentary on Job]]'', frequently known even in English-language histories by its Latin title, ''[[Magna Moralia]]''
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| − | *''[[Pastoral Care|The Rule for Pastors]]'', in which he contrasted the role of bishops as pastors of their flock with their position as nobles of the church: the definitive statement of the nature of the episcopal office
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| − | *Some 850 letters have survived from his Papal ''Register'' of letters. This collection serves as an invaluable [[primary source]] for these years
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| − | *In the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]], Gregory is credited with compiling the [[Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts]]. This liturgy is celebrated on Wednesdays, Fridays, and certain other days during [[Great Lent]] in the Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches which follow the [[Byzantine Rite]]
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| − | ===Sermon on Mary Magdalene===
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| − | Gregory is responsible for giving papal approval to the tradition, now thought by many to be erroneous, that [[Mary Magdalene]] was a prostitute. In a [[sermon]] whose text is given in ''[[Patrologia Latina]]'', 76:1238‑1246, Gregory stated that he believed "that the woman Luke called a sinner and John called Mary was the Mary out of whom Mark declared that seven demons were cast," thus identifying the sinner of (Luke 7:37), the Mary of (John 11:2) and (John 12:3) (the sister of [[Lazarus]] and [[Martha of Bethany]]), and Mary Magdalene, from whom Jesus had cast out seven demons (Mark 16:9).
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| − | While most Western writers shared this view, it was not seen as a Church teaching. With the liturgical changes made in 1969, there is no longer mention of Mary Magdalene as a sinner in Roman Catholic liturgical materials.
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| − | The Eastern Orthodox Church has never accepted Gregory's identification of Mary Magdalene with the "sinful woman."
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| − | ==Iconography==
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| − | [[Image:Beda Venerabilis.jpg|thumb|200px|Gregory and his Dove, [[Corpus Christi College, Cambridge]] Ms 389]]
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| − | In art Gregory is usually shown in full pontifical robes with the tiara and double cross, despite his actual habit of dress. Earlier depictions are more likely to show a monastic tonsure and plainer dress. Orthodox [[icons]] traditionally show St. Gregory vested as a bishop, holding a [[Gospel Book]] and blessing with his right hand. It is recorded that he permitted his depiction with a square [[Halo (religious iconography)|halo]], then used for the living.<ref>G. Gietmann, G., "Nimbus", in <i>The Catholic Encyclopedia</i>, vol. XI (New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1991). Retrieved October 1, 2007. </ref> A dove is his [[attribute]], from the well-known story recorded by his friend [[Peter the Deacon (disambiguation)|Peter the Deacon]],<ref>Peter the Deacon, ''Vita'', xxviii.</ref> who tells that when the pope was dictating his homilies on [[Ezekiel]] a curtain was drawn between his secretary and himself. As, however, the pope remained silent for long periods at a time, the servant made a hole in the curtain and, looking through, beheld a dove seated upon Gregory's head with its beak between his lips. When the dove withdrew its beak the pope spoke and the secretary took down his words; but when he became silent the servant again applied his eye to the hole and saw the dove had replaced its beak between his lips.<ref>''Catholic Encyclopedia'' article - see links, below.</ref>
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| − | ==Legacy==
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| − | Gregory was famous for his charity works. He had a hospital built next to his house on the [[Caelian Hill]] to host poor people for dinner, at his expense. He also built a [[monastery]] and several [[oratory|oratories]] on the site. Today, the namesake church of [[San Gregorio al Celio]] (largely rebuilt from the original edifices during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries) remembers his work. One of the three oratories annexed, the oratory of St. Silvia, is said to lie over the tomb of Gregory's mother.
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| − | Gregory I was patron saint of choirboys and [[singers]]. While he probably did not invent Gregorian chants, his image suggests [[Byzantine]] influence and Western attitude. He was Benedict’s biographer and the last of the ‘Doctors’ of the Western Church after Ambrose, Augustine, and Jerome.
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| − | Not only are a cappella chants associated with Gregory, but also [[purgatory]] doctrine, the disciplinary threat which would motivate obedience, and ultimately motivate reformation of his order.
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| − | In his lifetime, Gregory prevailed in the West, and left a legacy for ages to follow. Ironically, when he was 30, the Prophet [[Mohammed]] was born, and the beginning of a new age that would sweep over the east, [[Africa]], and into the same [[Iberian Peninsula]] that Gregory had coaxed into the [[Trinitarian]] Roman orbit.
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| − | In Britain, appreciation for Gregory remained strong even after his death, with him being called ''Gregorius noster'' ("our Gregory") by the British. It was in Britain, at a monastery in [[Whitby Abbey|Whitby]], that the first full-length [[vita|life]] of Gregory was written, in c.713. Appreciation of Gregory in Rome and Italy itself, however, came later, with his successor [[Pope Sabinian|Sabinian]] (a secular cleric rather than a monk) rejecting his charitable moves towards the poor of Rome. In contrast to Britain, the first early ''vita'' of Gregory written in Italy was produced by [[John, deacon of Rome|John the Deacon]] in the ninth century.
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| − | The [[liturgical calendar]] of the [[Roman Catholic Church]], revised in 1969, celebrates September 3 as the memorial of St. Gregory the Great. The previous calendar, and one still used when the traditional liturgy is celebrated, celebrates March 12. The reason for the transfer to the date of his episcopal [[consecration]] rather than his death was to transfer the celebration outside of [[Lent]].
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| − | The [[Eastern Orthodox Church]] and [[Eastern Catholic Churches]] continue to commemorate St. Gregory on the traditional date of March 12, which intentionally falls during [[Great Lent]], appropriate because of his traditional association with the [[Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts]], which is celebrated only during that liturgical season.
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| − | Saint Gregory is also honored by other churches: the [[Church of England]] commemorates him on September 3, while the [[Evangelical Lutheran Church in America]] remembers him on March 12.
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| − | A traditional [[procession]] continues to be held in [[Żejtun]], [[Malta]] in honor of Saint Gregory on the first Wednesday after [[Easter]] (a date close to his original feast day of March 12).
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| − | "His character strikes us as an ambiguous and enigmatic one," scholar [[Norman F. Cantor]] observed. "On the one hand he was an able and determined administrator, a skilled and clever diplomat, a leader of the greatest sophistication and vision; but on the other hand, he appears in his writings as a superstitious and credulous [[monk]], hostile to learning, crudely limited as a [[theologian]], and excessively devoted to saints, [[miracle]]s, and [[relic]]s".<ref>Cantor, 1993, p. 157 (see Bibliography, below).</ref>
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| − | ==Notes==
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| − | {{Reflist|2}}
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| − | ==References==
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| − | * Cantor, Norman F. ''The Civilization of the Middle Ages''. New York: Harper, 1993. ISBN 978-0060925536
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| − | * Cavadini, John (ed.). ''Gregory the Great: A Symposium''. Notre Dame: University of Notre Dame Press, 1995. ISBN 978-0268010430
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| − | * Dudden, Frederick H. ''Gregory the Great: His Place in History and Thought''. London: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1905. ISBN 978-0846209218
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| − | * Leyser, Conrad. ''Authority and Asceticism from Augustine to Gregory the Great''. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 2000. ISBN 978-0198208686
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| − | * Markus, R.A. ''Gregory the Great and His World''. Cambridge: University Press, 1997. ISBN 0-521-58608-9
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| − | * Richards, Jeffrey. ''Consul of God''. London: Routelege & Keatland Paul, 1980. ISBN 978-0710003461
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| − | * Straw, Carole E. ''Gregory the Great: Perfection in Imperfection''. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1988. ISBN 978-0520068728
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| − | ==External links==
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| − | All Links Retrieved April 24, 2008.
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| − | *[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06780a.htm Pope St. Gregory I ("the Great")] article from ''[[The Catholic Encyclopedia]]'' (contributed by C. Roger Hudleston). ''www.newadvent.org''
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| − | *[http://www.bringyou.to/apologetics/num7.htm "Pope Gregory the Great and the 'Universal Bishop' Controversy"]. ''www.bringyou.to''
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| − | {{DEFAULTSORT:Gregory 01}}
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| − | [[Category:biography]]
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| − | [[Category:religion]]
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| − | {{Credit|174011017}}
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