Letter 2.11 to Bishop Castor of Rimini (January 592)
Gregory to Castor, bishop of Rimini
Themotea, an illustrious lady, has informed us with the notification of a petition (which is appended hereto) that she has founded an oratory within the city of Rimini in place owned by her, for the sake of her own devotion, and she desires it to be consecrated in honor of the holy cross. For that reason, dearest brethren, if the aforesaid construction is consistent with your city's regulations, and it is certain that no corpse has been buried there, you will solemnly consecrate the aforesaid oratory, without public masses. But first receive the legal donation, that is eight twelths of her whole property, except the slaves (excepta familia), all good movable and fixed and self-moving, their usufruct retained by her for all the days of her life, as registered with the municipal administration. Let it be done in such a way that no baptistery is built in the same place at some future date, and no presbyter is permanently ascribed to this place (nec presbyterum constituas cardinalem). And if by chance she would prefer masses to be held for her there, let her know that she must seek a presbyter from your beloved. Under no circumstances should she dare to ask for such a service some other priest (sacerdos, i.e. other bishop?). And you will take up her sacred relics and place them within with due reverence.
(trans. Martyn 2004: 199, slightly altered by J. Szafranowski)