Gregory to Cyprian, deacon, rector of Sicily. It has come to us that various priests of Italy, fleeing to Sicily, brought with them many of the sacred vessels of their Churches, and that these, whether upon their death or through those who dispersed them wickedly, have nearly all been lost. Moved in this matter, we exhort your Beloved that, sending throughout all the places of Sicily, wherever you shall have incautiously found sacred vessels and goods of the Churches deposited, you cause them to be gathered again with the utmost strictness, and, once united, to be deposited under record and receipt with the bishops of the several Churches, with whom, until the time of peace shall demand it, with the Lord's help, they may be most safely preserved.
And of all these things themselves we wish that not only those who deliver them receive a receipt, but also that the records of them be carefully retained by you, so that, when it shall be necessary, by this precaution, with the Lord's help, they may be restored without diminution by those to whom they are handed over. In the month of November, in the twelfth indiction.