From Gregory I to Etherius
Overview
This mission, sent by Pope Gregory the Great, is considered a pivotal moment in the spread of Christianity during the Early Middle Ages. Most of what we know about the mission comes from Bede’s Ecclesiastical History of the English People. Within his work, Bede documents several papal letters that are crucial for understanding the political and social climate of pre-Christian Anglo-Saxon England.
On their way to Kent, Augustine and his fellow monks became disheartened and decided to turn back. After being admonished by Pope Gregory the Great, Augustine was entrusted with a letter to Etherius to bolster the mission to Kent. However, Bede erroneously identifies Etherius as the archbishop of Arles. Scholars Judith McClure and Roger Collins clarify that Etherius was actually the bishop of Lyons. They also note that Bede uses the Anglo-Saxon term “archbishop,” whereas the Frankish equivalent would have been “metropolitan bishop.”
Additionally, the letter mentions a man named Candidus that accompanied Augustine to Lyons. Cadidus was sent by Gregory to become Rector of the Patrimony of estates owned by the Church in Southern France.
To the most reverend and holy brother and fellow bishop Etherius, Gregory, servant of the servants of God. Although religious men stand in need of no recommendation with those bishops who have that love which is pleasing to God, yet because a suitable occasion for writing presents itself, we think fit to send this letter to you our brother, informing you that we have directed there the bearer of this document, Augustine, the servant of God, of whose zeal we are assured, together with other servants of God devoted to winning souls with the Lord’s help. It is essential that your holiness should assist him with episcopal fervor and quickness to provide him with what he needs. And in order that you may be more prompt with your help, we have especially encouraged him to tell you of his mission. We are sure that when you know this you will be prepared with all zeal to offer him your help for the Lord’s sake as the occasion requires. We also entrust to your aid the priest Candidus, a son of both of us, whom we have sent to take charge of a small estate of our church. God keep you safe, most reverend brother.
Given on the 23 July, in the fourteenth year of the reign of our most religious emperor, Maurice Tiberius, and the thirteenth year after his consulship and the fourteenth indiction.
Related Topics
Further Research & References
Bede, The Ecclesiastical History of the English People. Translated and edited by Judith McClure and Roger Collins. New York: Oxford University Press, 2008.
Latourette, Kenneth Scott. A History of Christianity. Vol. 1, Beginnings to 1500. New York City, NY: Harper & Row Publishers Inc., 1975.
Southern, R. W. Western Society and the Church in The Middle Ages, New York, NY: Penguin Books, 1970.