Abstract
In several of his letters, Gregory the Great regrets the loss of monastic contemplatio as a result of his ordination as deacon and, later, bishop. With hindsight, the years he served as deacon were a preparation for the papacy. This paper explores the possibility of an alternative view on the diaconate of Gregory the Great. Not only was it far from unusual for a deacon to become the next bishop, Gregory’s background and experience made him an obvious candidate for the papacy. So, was Gregory just a reluctant deacon, or can one argue that becoming a deacon was also perceived as a logical next step?
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 4 |
| Pages (from-to) | 39-50 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| Journal | Studia Patristica |
| Volume | Volume CVI |
| Issue number | 3 |
| Publication status | Published - Nov 2021 |
| Event | XVIII International Conference on Patristic Studies Oxford - Oxford, United Kingdom Duration: 19 Aug 2019 → 24 Aug 2019 https://www.oxfordpatristics.com |