Letter 1041: The venerable Paulinus bishop of the city of Taurum (Taurianum in Brutia), has told us that his monks have been scattered by reason of barbaric invasions, and that they are now wandering through the whole of Sicily, and that, being without a ruler, they neither have a care of their souls, nor pay attention to the discipline of their profession. ...
Book I, Letter 41
To Peter, Subdeacon [Gregory's delegate in Sicily].
Gregory to Peter.
The venerable Paulinus, bishop of the city of Taurianum in Bruttium [the toe of the Italian peninsula, modern Calabria], has told us that his monks were scattered by barbarian invasions [likely Lombard raids] and are now wandering throughout Sicily. Without a leader, they neither care for their souls nor observe the discipline of their religious life.
We therefore direct you to search out these monks with all care and diligence, gather them together, and place them with their bishop Paulinus in the monastery of Saint Theodore in the city of Messina. That way, both the monks already there -- who we find are in need of leadership -- and those of his community whom you locate and bring back may serve Almighty God together under his guidance.
We have also notified the venerable Felix, bishop of Messina, about this matter, so that nothing is arranged in his diocese without his knowledge.
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