St. Gregory the Great
Author: Belchior da Fonseca
Origin: Coimbra, Portugal
Dating: 1583
Material: Oil on Wood
Dimensions (cm): 58 x 91
Inv. no.: MNMC2636 / PD1143
Gregory I – entitled as “Magnus” and as “the Great”, was born in Rome in 540 AD.
He studied law and, at the age of 30, was Prefect of Rome. Attracted to religious life, he resigned from his position and became a monk, embracing the Order of St. Benedict.
He was sent as an ambassador of Pope Pelagius II to the Byzantine court – in Constantinople – and achieved such a great reputation in the performance of all his missions that, in 590, after the death of Pope Pelagius, both the people and the clergy unanimously proclaimed him Pope.
His pontificate was characterized by efforts of reorganization and restoration of the Church.
He is credited with the use of the title for Popes “Servant of the servants of God”, the reform of liturgy and with the codification of chants – liturgical music – which is also known as Gregorian chant.
He died in 604 and was buried in St. Peter’s Basilica (Vatican). Canonized shortly after his death, he was honoured with the title of Doctor of the Church and recognized as one of the great four Fathers of the Latin Church.
