Ensarkosi
Detail of a twelfth-century miniature of Gregory the Great writing, inspired by the Holy Spirit as a dove (British Library); no portrait from his own time is certain

Bishop of Rome · c. 540 – 604

Gregory the Great

Bishop of Rome from 590 to 604, a monk before he was pope. His Pastoral Rule on the care of souls was read by the clergy of Europe for a thousand years.

Writings

  1. Treatise · 4 parts

    The Pastoral Rule

    A handbook for bishops and priests on the care of souls: how a pastor should be chosen, live, teach and be humble.

    288 min read · translated by James Barmby

  2. Collection

    Other Writings

    Letters, homilies, sermons, commentaries, fragments and shorter pieces by Gregory the Great that are not published as books, in the order of the New Advent collection.

    4 min read · translated by James Barmby

Image: drawn in the site’s engraved style from “Gregory the Great with the Holy Spirit” (British Library, miniature of the early twelfth century), cc0, Wikimedia Commons.

All the Fathers