Gregory the Great

“The Gregory that emerges from these essays is one who, while not speculative or systematic in his thought, responded creatively to the changed circumstances of Christianity in the sixth century, formulating the gospel message in ways his contemporaries found compelling. The essays in this volume are a helpful guide to this enigmatic theologian whose influence on western Christian spirituality was—and still is—profound.” —Pro Ecclesia

"The list of luminaries contributing to this collection, including Robert Markus, Carole Straw, Conrad Leyser, and James J. O'Donnell, promise to make this publication insightful and valuable, and the reader is not disappointed. . . [T]he essays included here are uniformly perceptive, with some truly exceptional contributions." —Cistercian Studies Quarterly

“Its scope, not just Gregory but the whole Christian culture he lived in, touches one very important issue for monastics. The book moves us toward a clearer understanding of the ‘transition period’ between the actual writing of the RB and its beginning observance by continental monasteries in the middle of the seventh century. Studying that period more carefully, we might better understand how and why the RB was adapted and modified from the very beginnings of its actual usage.” —American Benedictine Review

“These are all important essays and some of them contain profound insights or challenge received positions. A mixed collection of essays might not normally be expected to be accorded a place on standard lists of modern work on Gregory. This volume deserves to be there.” —Nederlands Archief voor Kerkgeschiedenis/Dutch Review of Church History

“[T]he papers are really an invitation for broader study of Mary’s place during the advent of Vatican II. . . . Graduate students and seminarians will take away much, but so will those generally interested in Marian piety, from pastors to bloggers.” —Catholic Library World

“Demacopoulos does a fine job analysing and incorporating the full range of Greogy’s writings into his book.” —Early Medieval Europe

“Dermacopoulos has successfully reintegrated the two halves of Gregory the Great’s career, demonstrating that his public activities were a logical outgrowth of his ascetic spirituality rather than a contradiction or distraction from a life of contemplation.” —Cistercian Studies Quarterly