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12March

Saint Gregory I, the great.

Gregory was born around the year 540. His father Gredianos, a righteous man was a member Roman Congress. His mother Sylivia, ended up her last years as nun in a convent. Therefore Gregory grew in a holy entourage, and got the best available education at his time. At the age of 30 year, he was appointed as the mayor (or governor) of the city of Rome. When Gregory’s father died, he left the world and its pleasures, and went distributing his great wealth on the poor, establishing monasteries. We mention here six which he had built in Sicily and one in mansion in Rome. After that he joined the monks of Saint Benedict. Then was ordained a priest by pope Benedict I, who sent him in a mission to England. After that the pope called him back to Rome to appoint him a cardinal, then a nuncio to the Byzantine Court, where he stayed for seven years. After that he got back to Rome, and in his heart a burning desire for monastic life. And after joining back his monastery, the monks there elected him superior. Thus he led an exampleric life of holiness before them, observing faithfully the rules.

In 590, the bishops, clergy and people of Rome elected him in stead of his resistance, the new pope, after pope Belajius.

Pope Gregory spent a great effort in reforming the liturgical life of his Church. He organized her rituals, and published them in his famous book: “The Gregorian Rite”. He also took great care of the ecclesiastic music; which he personally loved, and which still until our days carries his name. He diffused the prayer of psalms as part of the office prayers, song in two choirs, copying this from Constantinople.

After a life filled with great deeds and glorious accomplishments, he deserved to be called “Gregory the Great”, and doctor of the Church. He died in the Lord in March 12, in the year 604, leaving behind a real treasure of liturgical, musical, and canon writings. May his prayers be with us. Amen.