To John, Abbot of Mount Sinai

Gregory to John, abbot of Mount Sinai. The letter of your humility bears witness to the holiness of your life. For this we give great thanks to Almighty God, since we know that there are still some who pray for our sins. For we, under the appearance of governing the church, are tossed about in the waves of this world, which often overwhelm us. But by the protecting hand of heavenly grace we are lifted up again out of the deep. So you, who lead a quiet life in the great calm of your rest and stand, as it were, safe on the shore, stretch out the hand of your prayer to us who are on our voyage, or rather who are suffering shipwreck. Help us with all the prayers you can as we struggle to reach the land of the living, so that you may have a reward forever, not only for your own life but also for our rescue. May the Holy Trinity protect your love with the right hand of its protection, and grant you, in its sight, to feed the flock entrusted to you by praying, by warning, and by showing the example of good works, so that you may be able to reach the pastures of eternal life together with the very flock you feed. For it is written, “My sheep will come and will find pasture.” And we truly find these pastures when, set free from the winter of this life, we are filled with the green of eternal life, as with a new spring. [a]

We have learned from the report of our son Simplicius that the home for the aged built there by a certain Isaurus is short of beds and bedding. So we have sent fifteen cloaks, thirty rachanae, and fifteen beds. We have also given money to buy mattresses and to carry them there. We ask your love not to disdain it, but to supply them to the place for which they have been sent. Given on the 1st of September, in the fourth indiction. [d]