c. AD 540 – 604

Gregory the Great

He shaped the medieval papacy, western liturgy and the pastoral ideal of the bishop as 'servant of the servants of God'.

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Location
Rome
Role
Pope, monk and Doctor of the Church
Major writings
  • Pastoral Rule
  • Dialogues; Moralia on Job; letters
Teachings
  • Pastoral care adapted to each hearer
  • Mission to peoples outside the empire
Connection to apostolic Christianity
He appealed to Peter's commission while refusing the title 'universal bishop' as a matter of humility.

Quotations with references

The government of souls is the art of arts.

Gregory, Pastoral Rule 1.1

Sources and References