Gregory the Great,Pope and teacher of the Church.

Saint

Feast: September 3  (the day of his episcopal ordination)

* around 540 Rome

+ March 12, 604 

Pontificate: 590 – 604

Meaning of the name: watchful, awake (from Gr.)

Emblem: dove, seagull, book, papal tiara

St. Gregory was born in Rome around 540, the son of Jordan, a wealthy senator who later renounced his position and became one of the nine deacons of Rome. We also venerate Father and Mother Silvia as saints. Gregor received a thorough education and was appointed prefect by Emperor Justin the Younger, although Gregor was only 34 years old at the time. However, a year later – after his father’s death – he left his career as a prefect and founded a Benedictine monastery in his own house. He accepted their religious robes. In addition, he also founded six other monasteries in Sicily. During the pontificate of Pope Pelagius II. (579-590) became a deacon and papal envoy in Constantinople. After the death of Pelagius, he was unanimously elected pope.

Many turbulent events marked his pontificate. It was then that the migration of people took place. Thanks to Gregor, it was possible to Christianize the Visigoths in Spain. The Arian Lombards, Gauls, and Anglo-Saxons also returned to the true doctrine. During the plague in Rome, he performed a penitential devotion, after which the destruction was averted. He reformed the liturgy, especially liturgical singing. Until now, it has been used in the so-called religious services. The Gregorian chant is named after him and comes from his time. Also, the custom of celebrating the Gregorian Mass for the dead comes from this period. He wrote many works. He belongs to the four Western Church Fathers. History gave him the epithet Great, but he used the title “servus servorum Dei” (servant of God’s servants).