To Peter the Subdeacon, on the Scattered Monks of Bishop Paulinus

Gregory to Peter, and so on. [a]

The venerable Paulinus, bishop of the city of Taurum, has told us that his monks have been scattered by the invasions of the barbarians, and that they are now wandering all over Sicily. Being without a ruler, they neither take care of their souls nor pay attention to the discipline of the life they professed. For this reason we direct you to search out these monks with all care and diligence, gather them together, and place them with that bishop, their ruler, in the monastery of Saint Theodore in the city of Messina. So both those who are there now, whom we find in need of a ruler, and those of his own company whom you have found and brought back, may be able, under his leadership, to serve the Almighty Lord together. Know also that we have informed the venerable Felix, bishop of that same city, of this matter, so that nothing arranged in the diocese entrusted to him may be disturbed without his knowledge. [b]