Pastoral Rule, Dialogues & Letters 755

Gregory to Fantinus the defensor. Our most glorious son Maurentius, master of soldiers, complains that he has a suit concerning the estate of Gentina against the Church of Panormus, and for this purpose, a mandate being made, he has sent the bearer of these presents, that it ought to be terminated without any excuse.

Therefore let your Experience admonish our most reverend brother and fellow bishop Victor, his honour being preserved, that he should either strive to terminate the suit itself peaceably without delay, or, if he believes it more useful for himself that it be determined by judgment, then, all delay ceasing, let him legally appoint a person in his stead who shall, concerning that same estate, undergo judgment before our most glorious son the lord Venantius the patrician and your Experience, so that the suit itself may, the truth being known, be settled; or else, if the parties so wish, with you present, let them elect other judges for themselves.

And whatever shall be decided by them upon the most holy Gospels, we wish it thus, the law being preserved, to be brought by your execution to effect, so that nothing may remain between the parties whereby they can afterward be wearied by revived litigation. Gregory to Marinianus, bishop of Ravenna. Since with you this alone can suffice for our most glorious son Maurentius, that you are not ignorant that he is our very own, we ought not to write to you as to how you should concur with him. But lest, an occasion being given, we should seem to pass over your Fraternity in his cause, commending the bearers of these presents, we exhort that, since he is known to have sent them thither to obtain his petition, they may be supported by your aid in all things.

And that you may the better be able to assist him—since it is not doubtful that you are occupied in many matters—appoint Menna the notary, since he well knows how to be diligent, that he himself may in your name strive to help them in all things where it shall be needful, since they have been instructed, by a memorandum given them, as they report, in what they ought to do. And when I shall have informed your Holiness by his present report, so devote yourselves in his affairs, that, as we too are certain of your Fraternity, and as he wholly trusts in you, his advantage may, with God as helper, salubriously be accomplished.