A Burden of Obedience?: The Diaconate of Gregory the Great as Preparation for the Papacy

Arnold Smeets

doi:10.2307/j.ctv27vt5qz.7

A Burden of Obedience? The Diaconate of Gregory the Great as Preparation for the Papacy

Arnold Smeets

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review

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
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctv27vt5qz.7
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

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title = "A Burden of Obedience?: The Diaconate of Gregory the Great as Preparation for the Papacy",

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{\textquoteright}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? ",

author = "Arnold Smeets",

year = "2021",

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doi = "10.2307/j.ctv27vt5qz.7",

language = "English",

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note = "XVIII International Conference on Patristic Studies Oxford ; Conference date: 19-08-2019 Through 24-08-2019",

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AB - 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?

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ER -

A Burden of Obedience? The Diaconate of Gregory the Great as Preparation for the Papacy

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