My Scars are become Noisome and Corrupt in the Face of my Folly. Psalm 37:6

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On the Scar of Penitence
by St Gregory the Great


To the discussion of the abolition of the memory of aberrations it was 
subjoined: "My scars are become noisome and corrupt in the face of
my folly." Psalm 37:6


One who corrects and laments his error draws a scar over the wound.
But when a deceived mind recalls for its pleasure the sin of which it
has already repented, the scar of penitence which had formed reverts
to festering of the wound so that evil delight has a stench after the scar
has already showed the healing of the injury with restored skin.


From 'Homilies on the Book of the Prophet Ezequiel by St Gregory
the Great'  p.488, Translated by Theodosia Tomkinson, Center for
Traditionalist Orthodox Studies, Etna CA 2008 

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St Gregory the Great
Commemorated on March 12

Saint Gregory Dialogus, Pope of Rome, was born in Rome around the year 540. His grandfather was Pope Felix, and his mother Sylvia (November 4) and aunts Tarsilla and Emiliana were also numbered among the saints by the Roman Church. Having received a most excellent secular education, he attained high government positions.

Leading a God-pleasing life, he yearned for monasticism with all his soul. After the death of his father, St Gregory used his inheritance to establish six monasteries. At Rome he founded a monastery dedicated to the holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called, where he received monastic tonsure. Later, on a commission of Pope Pelagius II, St Gregory lived for a while in Constantinople. There he wrote his Commentary on the Book of Job.

After the death of Pope Pelagius, St Gregory was chosen to the Roman See. For seven months he would not consent to accept this service, considering himself unworthy. He finally accepted consecration only after the persistent entreaties of the clergy and flock.

Wisely leading the Church, St Gregory worked tirelessly in propagating the Word of God. St Gregory compiled the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts in the Latin language, which before him was known only in the verbal tradition. Affirmed by the Sixth Ecumenical Council, this liturgical service was accepted by all the Orthodox Church.

He zealously struggled against the Donatist heresy; he also converted the inhabitants of Brittany pagans and Goths, adhering to the Arian heresy to the True Faith.

St Gregory has left behind numerous written works. After the appearance of his book, Dialogues Concerning the Life and Miracles of the Italian Fathers, the saint was called "Dialogus." His Pastoral Rule (or Liber Regulae Pastoralis) was well-known. In this work, St Gregory describes the model of the true pastor. His letters (848), dealing with moral guidance, have also survived.

St Gregory headed the Church for thirteen years, ministering to all the needs of his flock. He was characterized by an extraordinary love of poverty, for which he was granted a vision of the Lord Himself.

Pope St Gregory the Great, as he is known, died in the year 604, and his relics rest in the cathedral of the holy Apostle Peter in the Vatican.


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