Gregory to Cyprian the deacon. It has reached us, through the report of Theodosius, abbot of the monastery of Saint Martin, that three monks there in Sicily, whom he had sent over for the benefit of his monastery, have detained themselves; and he has asked of us that, with your help, he might recall them into his own monastery. Therefore let your Love — which we know to be very warmly and fervently zealous in causes of this kind — cause them to be sought out by careful investigation, and, when found, to be sent, under fitting security and strictness, to the above-named abbot against whom they have shown themselves contumacious. Be therefore watchful lest the discipline of the rule be injured, either by any delay or by remission of its enforcement.
To the bearers of these presents, who are known to have been sent by the aforesaid abbot Theodosius for the transacting of the affairs of that same monastery, we desire you earnestly to furnish help in all things, so that, with your cooperation, they may be able reasonably to carry out what has been enjoined upon them. Furthermore, as regards the bondservants of that same monastery which the aforesaid abbot declares to be unlawfully detained by men of our Church, it is necessary that you investigate the matter by every means. And if you find it to be so, cause them without any delay to be restored.