Life as a Journey in the Letters of Gregory the Great

Abstract

This paper presents the theme of life as a journey in a carefully-chosen selection of letters from the Registrum epistularum of Gregory the Great. An in depth study of the five letters in question reveals a detailed picture of the man of God who was a just and tactful administrator, but who was also a man of the people. Aware of the fact that this Church Father wrote with remarkable dexterity and artistry on countless topics to a whole spectrum of people from all walks of life in a variety of circumstances, this study seeks to focus on a pivotal existential theme: the image of life as a journey with its ups, downs and meanderings. Gregory’s profound knowledge of human nature can be extrapolated from an exegesis of the five letters which are the scope of this research.