Letter 9096: Gregory to Marinianus, bishop of Ravenna.

TO MARINIANUS, BISHOP OF RAVENNA. He commends the same persons whom he commended above. Gregory to Marinianus, Bishop of Ravenna. The bearers of the present letter, coming to us from the region of Istria, desired, with the Lord's help, to be made subject to the unity of the Church. We received them with affection, on account of the praiseworthiness of their desire, and, having first delivered an exhortation concerning a manner of life suited to the unity they had embraced, we caused them also to serve our Church as well, just as was their desire. Let your Fraternity gladly receive them, since their petition, once submitted, and the arrival of the bearers of the present letter, your representatives who ask for things conducive to salvation, have gladdened [us]; through these you have signified that you both reject the wandering steps of those who err, and seek the straight path of salvation, by which, restoring yourselves to the unity of the holy Church, you might press on toward the reward owed to those who do good, who are established within her bosom. Wherefore we have, with all gladness, freely embraced your so praiseworthy will, which shall profit your soul for eternity; arranging this with the Lord's help, namely, that if indeed the bishop whom you had petitioned to be restored to you in your Church shall, separating himself from the lapse of the schismatics, be willing to be joined to the unity of the Church, let our brother and fellow bishop Marinianus [confirm him] [...], and let him gladly furnish them aid, as they shall require it; so that, returning to their own [homes], they may not be wearied by any disturbances of perverse persons in the good work they have done. But rather, accomplish this the more diligently with our most excellent son the exarch, that by his orders he may render them secure in all things among those whose concern it is there, so that by the quiet of these the minds of others also, still set in schism, may be roused to the grace of conversion. LETTER 96. TO THE INHABITANTS OF THE ISLAND OF CAPRARIA. He congratulates them on their undisturbed love of ecclesiastical unity. He directs that a bishop be appointed for them, an enemy to schism. Gregory to the inhabitants of the island of Capraria, situated in the province of Istria. [Editorial note on the text: in the manuscript of Vatie. it is read 'we are known to have served' (noscimur militasse); doubtless for 'we know,' as Corb. has it. In Rhem., 'we are known to have permitted the Church to serve' (Ecclesiae noscimur permisisse militasse). In Vatic. D, 'the Church is known to permit to serve' (Ecclesia noscitur permittere militasse), but corruptly. The older editions read 'by no disturbances of perverse persons (that they may attend to the good of their work),' etc., which Vatic. A favors. In the more recent vulgate editions, 'by no [disturbances], that they may be able to carry through the good of the work, of perverse persons.' Our reading is exhibited by Turon., Corb., the three Vatic., etc. In some, however, instead of 'in...'] ...we have written diligently in what manner [we ought] by our own authority to confirm your petition. But if, on the other hand -- which is not to be wished by us -- he shall be unwilling to separate himself from their schism, we have written to our aforesaid brother and fellow bishop in what way your Church may be able to have its own priest; so that in both cases the devout intention of your pious mind may obtain its effect, and the Lord's flock may be secure against the darts of the lurking enemy.

AD MARINIANUM RAVENSATEWN EPISCOPUM. Eosdem commendat quos supra. Gregorius Mariniano episcope Ravenne. Latores presentium ad nos de Isiriz partibus ve- njentes, unilali $6 Ecclesiz $ubdi, auxiliante Do- wino, Cupieruut. Quos pro sui laude desiderii cum alſectu 8uscepimus, eosque, * de conversatione ade- plz unilalis premissa exbortatlione, noslre quoque, sicut eorum desiderium erat , Ecclesiz Þ ſecimus wilitare, Quos ſralernitas vestra gralanter excipial, dum directa pelitio, et latorum prasentium, respon- salinm vestrorum s8alubria postulantium letificavit adventus, per quos Signiſicastis vos et devios repro- bare gressus errantium, et rectum salutis iter quz- rere, per quod, ynilati vos sancte. Ecclesiz reſor- man1ies, ad reiributionem bene operantium, © qui in- tra ejus sinum consiiiuti Sunt, debitam tenderetis. Unde sic laudabilem vesir2que in #ternum anime proſuturam voluntatem vesiram cum omni gaudio 8umus libenter amplexi; hoc cum Domini auxilio di- Sponentes, ut $i quidem episcopus quem vobis in vestra reſormari petiveratis Ecclesia, a schismatico- rum lapsu $e. 8egregans, Ecclesiz voluerit unitati eonjungi, fratri et coepiscopo nostro Mariniano evi- eisque opem,. ut exegerint, libenter impendat; qua= C enter scripsimus qualiter petitionem vestram ex lenus ad propria revertentes © nullis in bono operis $vi perversorum inquietudinibus ſaligeatur. Magis autem apud excellenti:simum filium- nos{rum exar- chum id studiosius peragite, ut suvis illos jus8ionibas apud eos quorum illic interest securos in omnibus reddat, ut bhorum quieie aliurum quogue adhuc in Schismale posilorum animi ad conversionis gratiam provocentur. EPISTOLA XCVI1, AD HABITATORES INSULE CAPREE. bratuaaluy de imperturbato ecclesiastice unitatis amore. Hariniuno mundatum de constiluendo illis episcopo schismatiis inimico. Gregorius habitatoribus * Capres insule Istriz provincie consistentibus. : | Iribus Vatie. legitur noscimur militasse ; procul du- io pro noscimus, uti habet Corb. In Rhem., Ecele- re noscimus permisisse militasse. In Vatic. D, Eecle- au noscilur permillere milttasse, Sed corrupte. -% "Veieres Ed., nuilis (ut boni operis Sui iteant) errersorum, elc., quibus favet Vatic. A. In recent. ulgatis, nullis, ut bonum operis 8 peragere valeant, perrersorum. Lectionem nostram exhibent Turon., Corb. tres Vatic., elc. ln nonnullis tamen, pro in noslra auctoritate debeat confirmare. Sin vero, quod opiandum nobis non est, ab illorum $e noluerit schismate separare, idem quomodo vestra Kcelesia proprium habere valeat sacerdotem, predicto fratri et coepiscopo nostro scripsimus ; quatehus in utro- que et pia mentis vesirz devolo sortiatur effectum, et grex dominicus contra insidiantis inimici jacola Sit gecurus.