Letter 11001: The Epistle of your Humility testifies to the holiness of your life; whence we give great thanks to Almighty God, for that we know that there are still some to pray for our sins. For we, under the color of ecclesiastical government, are tossed in the billows of this world, which frequently overwhelm us. But by the protecting hand of heavenly gra...

Gregory to John, Abbot of Mount Sinai. The letter of your Humility speaks to the holiness of your life, and I give great thanks to Almighty God that there are still some who pray for our sins. For we who bear the outward appearance of church leadership are tossed by the waves of this world -- waves that often overwhelm us. But by the protecting hand of heavenly grace we are raised up again from the deep. You who lead a tranquil life in the great calm of your retreat -- you stand, as it were, safe on the shore. Reach out the hand of your prayer to us who are still on our voyage, or rather who are shipwrecked. With all the supplications in your power, help us as we struggle toward the land of the living. And know that your reward will come not only for your own life but also for our rescue. May the Holy Trinity protect your Love with its right hand and grant you, through prayer, counsel, and the example of good works, to feed the flock committed to you -- so that you may one day reach the pastures of eternal life together with the flock you feed. As it is written, "My sheep will come and find pastures" (John 10:27). And those pastures we truly find when, freed from the winter of this life, we are satisfied with the greenness of eternal life, as of a new spring. I have learned from our son Simplicius that the hospice for the elderly [Gerontocomium] built by one Isaurus near you lacks beds and bedding. I am sending fifteen cloaks, thirty blankets, and fifteen beds. I have also provided money for purchasing mattresses and for their transport. Please see to it that these supplies reach their intended destination.

Book XI, Letter 1 To John, Abbot. Gregory to John, Abbot of Mount Sina . The Epistle of your Humility testifies to the holiness of your life; whence we give great thanks to Almighty God, for that we know that there are still some to pray for our sins. For we, under the color of ecclesiastical government, are tossed in the billows of this world, which frequently overwhelm us. But by the protecting hand of heavenly grace we are raised up again from the deep. Do you, then, who lead a tranquil life in the so great serenity of your rest, and stand as it were safe on the shore, extend the hand of your prayer to us who are on our voyage, or rather who are suffering shipwreck, and with all the supplications in your power help us as we strive to reach the land of the living, so that not only for your own life, but also for our rescue, you may have reward forever. May the Holy Trinity protect your Love with the right hand of Its protection, and grant unto you in Its sight, by praying, by admonishing, by showing example of good work, to feed the flock committed to you, that so you may be able to reach the pastures of eternal life with the flock itself which you feed. For it is written, My sheep shall come and shall find pastures John 10:27. And these pastures in truth we find, when, freed from the winter of this life, we are satisfied with the greenness of eternal life, as of a new Spring. We have learned from the report of our son Simplicius that there is a want of beds and bedding in the Gerontocomium , which has been constructed by one Isaurus there. Wherefore we have sent 15 cloaks, 30 rachanæ , and 15 beds. We have also given money for the purchase of mattresses and for their transport, which we beg your Love not to disdain, but to supply them to the place for which they have been sent. Given on the day of the Kalends of September, Indiction 4.