Instructions to Some Bishops on the Occasions of Public Disasters

Data from letters to St. Gregory the Great (Dvoeslov) provide spiritual guidance for bishops who find themselves in the face of public disasters. The message emphasizes the need to turn to God with prayer and repentance in difficult times, as well as the importance of moral education of the flock. St. Gregory addresses the bishops of Sicily, calling them to joint prayers and religious processions in order to atone for sins and receive Divine protection from enemies. In a letter to Preect, Bishop of Narki, the saint expresses concern about the spread of disease in his city and emphasizes the need to convert non-believers to the Orthodox faith. In a letter to Dominic, Bishop of Carthage, against the backdrop of the spread of plague in Africa, St. Gregory reminds us that terrible disasters will occur before the end of the world, and urges us not to fall into despair. It is necessary to endure suffering with gratitude, paying attention to the importance of good deeds and repentance. The letters are not only spiritual instruction, but also a call for unity and perseverance in the face of trials. Contents 1. Bishops of Sicily 2. Preectus Bishop of Narcia 3. Dominic, Bishop of Carthage In addition to the grief that my enemies have caused me throughout the year, I am tormented by even stronger fear, because the enemies are intensifying their efforts to attack Sicily. – In order to prevent the fulfillment of their plans, we must seek with all our hearts the help of the Redeemer, and, if it is impossible to resist them by force, repel them with tears. For looking at the devastation of the region, you must understand what you should beware of and what you should be afraid of. Therefore, I advise you, dear brothers, to schedule religious processions every Wednesday and Friday to ask for divine help in repelling an enemy attack. But in order for your prayers to reach the ears of the Lord, for this purpose, in every possible way, combine actions on your lips with prayer, because prayer that is not promoted by actions is fruitless. And since, looking at the threatening danger, one must cry and groan, then exhort your children so that they refrain from worldly corruption. - You must teach them to despise untruths and love what is pleasing to God, so that you have in them companions in asking for Divine mercy, and so that, if you neglect them, their deeds will not disarm your prayer, and the sword of the enemy will not cut off those who are not corrected from admonitions. – Our Lord is righteous and merciful; and as he is strict towards those who remain in sins, so he is merciful towards those who turn; therefore, we must run to Him with cries of a contrite heart and pray for liberation from troubles. – When we, having forsaken our sins, keep His commandments, then He, in His mercy, will protect us from the enemy, and in the next century will prepare eternal joys (Book 11. Scripture 51). 2. Preektu Bishop of Narki I was informed that in your city, due to sins, an infection is raging. This circumstance upset me greatly. Therefore, greeting you, dear brother, I advise you to constantly exhort the Longobards or Romans, and especially unbelievers and heretics, so that they turn to the true, Orthodox faith. For this appeal, the merciful Lord will help them in real life; and if they happen to die, then they will leave the world, having been absolved from their sins; and this should be desired above all (Bk. 11. Pis. 2) 3. Dominic, Bishop of Carthage I have already been informed of the plague raging in Africa. But since Italy is not free from such a disaster, I suffer doubly. My heart would have fallen amid such a multitude of evils and disasters from joyless sorrow if the Divine voice had not encouraged me. - Long ago the Gospel announced to believers that before the end of the world there would be plagues, wars and other terrible disasters (Matthew 24, Luke 21). Therefore, undergoing already known disasters, we should not be too upset. Considering how many disasters there are from which one death delivers? Often life itself is torture. Why did David, when he was asked to choose one of the disasters, choose death (2 Samuel 24). Therefore, in all unfortunate circumstances, we must thank the Creator. Trusting in His mercy, we endure everything complacently, because our sufferings are insignificant in comparison with our sins; and since, while enduring temporary suffering, we are not deprived of the consolation of eternal life, seeing in these signs the approach of the Judge, we must prepare the report that must be given to us; and for this purpose, to be zealous for good deeds and to repent of sins, so that in this way these executions, by His grace, will serve us as a cleanser, and not as the beginning of our condemnation. But since our nature is so weak that, when experiencing disasters, we cannot help but grieve, then you, dear brother, must comfort those who mourn. And for this, I must explain to them those permanent benefits that are promised, so that, strengthened by undoubted hope, they do not grieve over the loss of temporary benefits, in the hope of a future reward. I must restrain them from bad deeds, explaining to them rewards for good deeds and punishments for bad ones, so that those who are not disposed to good, at least fearing disasters, will refrain from deeds worthy of punishment. But since many, having been admonished by punishments, do not stop doing deeds worthy of punishment, through which they arouse the Lord to greater anger, and reach such madness that they do not want to leave evil deeds and wish that God would not punish for sins; then, dear brother, let us together pray to the merciful God that He will help us to thoroughly instruct the people, and will incline the hearts of the people to fulfill our instructions, so that, while maintaining fear of Him, we will be worthy to be freed from the coming disasters and to achieve heavenly joys, under the guidance of His grace, without which we can do nothing (Book 10 Scriptures 63).