The Book of Pastoral Rule #34

Publication Data: Crestwood, NY: St Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 2007
Format: softcover
Number of Pages: 212
Dimensions (l × w × h): 18.4 cm × 12.7 cm × 1.5 cm
ISBN: 978‒0‒88141‒318‒2

   
St Gregory the Great
Translation with Introduction by George E. Demacopoulos

Number 34 of Popular Patristics Series

“Gregory sent his Liber regulae pastoralis, or Book of Pastoral Rule, to John, archbishop of Ravenna, in 590 at the beginning of his pontificate. A few years later, he sent a copy to a friend he had met in Constantinople, St Leander, then bishop of Seville. The text is the most thorough pastoral treatise of the patristic era. Like previous authors, Gregory distinguished between who should and who should not ‘shepherd’ the flock; he identified many of the priest’s daily responsibilities, and he anticipated many pastoral challenges. What made this work unique was the third section where he identified seventy-two individual traits set in opposition (e.g. old and young, rich and poor, male and female) and provided a pastoral regimen for each.”
—“ST GREGORY THE GREAT: An Introduction for the Reader”

CONTENTS

An Introduction for the Reader
LETTER
   Gregory, to the Most Reverend and Holy Brother John, a Fellow Bishop
PART I
   Concerning the Qualifications of the One Who Comes to a Position of Spiritual Leadership
PART II
   Concerning the Life of the Pastor
PART III
   How the Spiritual Director Who Lives Well Should Teach and Advise the Laity
PART IV
   That the Preacher, After He Has Done Everything That Is Required, Should Return to Himself So That He Does Not Take Pride in His Life or Preaching