Letter 1.64 to Bishop Felix of Messina (July 591)
Gregory to Felix, bishop of Messina
In our opinion we should abandon customs which are known to cause trouble for churches, so that they are not compelled to be imported somewhere, where they should rather expect to have imported to themselves. Accordingly, it is necessary for you to preserve intact the custom of the clergy and other people and grant them every year what is customary.
Therefore, Gregory was dissatisfied with the expensive gift he had received from Bishop Felix. He informs him that he has sold it and now sents him the money he received in exchange. Gregory also orders Felix to refrain from his planned journey to Rome.
(trans. Martyn 2004: 181, altered and summarised by J. Szafranowski)