To Januarius, Bishop of Cagliari, on the Enemy’s Raid and the Peace with Agilulf

Gregory to Januarius, a bishop of Sardinia.

We knew what our enemies had done in Sardinia before your fraternity’s letter reached us. We had feared for some time that it would be so, and now we groan with you that what we foresaw has come to pass. But if attention had been paid to what we wrote to our most excellent son Gennadius, and to you as well, telling you that this would happen, the enemy would either not have come into your region at all, or, when they came, they would themselves have met the danger they have caused. Even now, then, let what has happened sharpen your watchfulness for the future. For we too by no means neglect whatever good we are able to do, with the Lord’s help. [a]

Know, moreover, that the abbot whom we sent to Agilulf a good while ago has, by the mercy of God, arranged a peace with him, as far as the most excellent exarch directed in writing. So until the agreements confirming this peace are drawn up, have watches kept on the walls and careful attention paid everywhere, in case our enemies should be inclined to come into those parts again during the present delay. And we trust in the power of our Redeemer that the raids and plots of our adversaries will not harm you again. [b]

As for your saying in your letter that many people bring complaints against you before us, this is true. But among various things nothing has distressed us so much as what our most beloved son, the abbot Cyriacus, has reported to us: that on the Lord’s day before mass you had a crop of grain plowed up in the field held by Donatus, and, as if that were not enough, after the sacrifice was finished you went to the place in person and dug up the boundary markers. For this reason I urge you to consider with anxious attention the office you bear, to avoid altogether whatever may injure your reputation or your soul, and to let no one persuade you to do such a thing again. For know that you have not taken on the care of earthly things, but the leadership of souls. On this, then, you ought to fix your heart, your anxiety, your whole devotion, and give your careful thought to winning souls, so that when at his coming you render to the Lord, multiplied, the talents he entrusted to you, you may be counted worthy to receive from him the fruit of repayment and to be raised up among his faithful servants in eternal glory. Know, however, that what I now say by way of reproach or blame comes not from harshness but from brotherly love, since I want you to be found a priest before Almighty God not in name only, which leads only to punishment, but also in merit, which looks to recompense. For since we are one member in the body of our Redeemer, as I am torn apart by your fault, so I rejoice in your good conduct. [c]

Further, as to your wish that we should appoint someone from our own side to whom you might explain in detail the cases to be referred to us: write whatever you wish to our most beloved son Peter and to Theodore the counselor, so that when it has been passed on to us through them, whatever reason commends may be settled, the Lord showing the way. And concerning our brother and fellow bishop Marinianus, the matter will be looked into once peace with Agilulf has been fully confirmed, and whatever the order of reason dictates will be done. [d]