To Urbicus, Abbot at Palermo, on Receiving Agatho

Gregory to Urbicus, abbot of the monastery of Saint Hermes in Palermo. Whoever, moved by divine inspiration, hastens to leave the occupations of this world and to be converted to God ought to be received with love and refreshed in every way with kind encouragement, so that, with God’s help, he may take delight in every way in persevering in the way of life he has chosen. Since, then, Agatho, who carries this letter, wishes to be converted in your love’s monastery, we urge you to receive him with all sweetness and love, to kindle his longing for eternal life by constant encouragement, and to take diligent care for the salvation of his soul. In this way, as he perseveres by your guidance with a devoted mind in the service of our God, it may both profit him to have left the world, and his conversion may add to your own reward. Know, however, that he is to be received on this condition only, that his wife also wishes to be converted in the same way. For when the bodies of both have been made one by the bond of marriage, it is unfitting that one part should be converted and the other remain in the world. [b]