During the Dark to Middle Ages, a collection of well-known characters lived and spread their wisdom in the books and other publications that they created. Over time, their sayings and phrases would survive throughout the years, including collective writings, such as the Magna Carta of 1215. With this document, we received quotes, such as “Except by the lawful judgment of his peers or by the law of the land” and “To no man will we sell, or deny, or delay, right or justice.” In this article, you will meet the words of Pope Gregory the Great (540 , 604) and Pope Saint Gregory VII (~1025 , 1085).
Pope Gregory the Great (540 , 604)
Pope Gregory the Great (also known as Pope Saint Gregory I, Gregory Dialogus, or Gregory the Great) was a pope famous for writing the Dialogues. He is recognized as the first of the Popes to possess a background pertaining to a monastery. Out of all the popes about this time period, Gregory I exhibited the greatest influence on the early medieval church. In history, he is also known as one of the four great Latin Fathers of the Church (joining Ambrose, Jerome, and Augustine), as well as the Doctor of the Church.
Gregory’s works are regarded as the only correspondences or writings of popes between the 5th and 11th centuries that have survived well enough to become a comprehensive read. Some of his main topics include miracles, relics, and saints. He is known for penning sermons (forty alone on the Gospels that have been deemed authentic and 22 on Ezekiel). His famous writings called Dialogues display a collection of narratives that involve the popular life of Saint Benedict.
Additional works of Pope Gregory the Great include: Commentary on Job (also known in Latin as Magna Moralia); the Rule for Pastors (dealt with pastors and bishops); about 850 letters; and the compilation of the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts. A quote to remember Pope Gregory the Great by is: “Non Angli sed Angeli.” (Not Angles but Angels.)
Pope Saint Gregory VII (1020/1025 , 1085)
With his birthplace in Hildebrand of Soana – Pope Saint Gregory VII served as an important religious figure from April 22nd of 1073 and continued until his death. While he was regarded as one of the great reforming popes, he is also seen for the role he played in the Investiture Controversy, where he found himself at odds with the Holy Emperor Henry IV. In 1584, he was beatified by Gregory XIII and in 1728; Benedict XIII canonized him. As for his words , he is known for saying, “I have loved justice and hated iniquity: therefore I die in exile.”
In this next installment of ancient quotes dealing with the Dark to Middle Ages, you will encounter the background and contributions of the Venerable Bede (673 , 735) , a Benedictine monk who has a couple of famous works under his belt.