Pope Gregory I

Gregory (I) the Great or Saint Gregory, (called the Dialogist in Eastern Orthodoxy) (circa 540 - 604) was pope of the Catholic Church from September 3, 590 to his death.

He was born to a patrician Roman family and pursued a secular political career which climaxed in the position of Urban Prefect before he entered a monastery. About fifteen years later he became pope.

Gregory's chief acts as Pope include his role in the schism of the Three Chapters, and sending Augustine of Canterbury to convert the Anglo-Saxons in Britain. He is also known in the East as a tireless worker for communication and understanding between East and West.

Works of Gregory I:

• sermons (40 on the Gospels are recognized as authentic, 22 on Ezekiel, 2 on the song of Songs)
• Dialogues - on the life of Saint Benedict
• Commentary on Job, frequently known even in English-language histories by its Latin title, Moralia in Job.
• The Rule for Pastors
• Some 850 letters have survived from his Papal Register of letters. This collection serves as an invaluable primary source for these years.

The Gregorian Chant, a religious musical style of the Middle Ages, is named for Pope Gregory. While he is not known to have written any chants himself—the majority of chants written during this time were published anonymously—his influence in the church caused the style to be named after him.

Preceded by: Pope Pelagius II

List of popes

Succeeded by: Pope Sabinianus