Gregory was born around 540. He was the son of a politically influential and very wealthy 
family. In about 573, by appointment of the Eastern Emperor, he became Prefect of Rome. By this late period of history, this important post had lost of much of its old magnificence, and its responsibilities were reduced. However it was still the highest civil authority in the city, and a great honor. It is pretty amazing that Gregory decided to abandon everything and become a monk. His inward struggle finally resolved only after long periods of prayer. Once he had made his decision, he set aside the silken robes and jewels he was used to, put on a rough robe, converted his estates to monasteries, and even his mansion on the Caelian Hill in Rome itself. Who of us would have such counter-cultural devotion? Surely not SUV driving Americans in our gated communities. ;)
In 579 he was made Papal ambassador to the Patriarch of Constantinople, where he stayed for about six years. Gregory found the worldly atmosphere of the brilliant Byzantine Court, very unattractive, and to counteract its dangerous influence he followed the monastic life so far as circumstances permitted. Shortly after his return home, the Pope died of the plague, and in 590 Gregory was elected Pope.
Like Leo before him, he became practical governor of central Italy, because the job needed to be done and there was no one else to do it. When the Lombards invaded, he organized the defense of Rome against them, and the eventual signing of a treaty with them. When there was a shortage of food, he organized the importation and distribution of grain from Sicily.
It is hard to over state his influence on the Church. He regularized the church’s rites, and arranged the church’s music as well. Gregorian (plain chant) chant is named for him. The schedule of Scripture readings for the various Sundays of the year, and the accompanying prayers (many of them written by him), in use throughout most of Western Christendom has been in effect for over thirteen centuries!
We in the Anglican Communion remember him also for sending a party of missionaries headed by Augustine of Canterbury (not to be confused with the more famous Augustine of Hippo) to preach the Gospel to the pagan Anglo-Saxon tribes lived in England and, who had conquered or displaced the Celtic Christians previously living there. Gregory took an active interest in their work, writing numerous letters both to Augustine and his monks and to their English converts. To this day the See of Canterbury is the Senior Bishopric of all the Anglican Churches.
Gregory was the first of the Bishops of Rome to use the title, “servant of the servants of God” (servi servorum Dei). This is a direct reference to the Gospel of Mark, where Jesus tells us “whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be the slave of all.” (Mark 19:42-45) This is a vital Gospel realization, because no matter how much you have been blessed with wealth and power, God calls you to use that wealth and power in the service of those who have less, who are just as much God’s children as you yourself. Something we must never lose sight of.
The last years of Gregory's life were filled with every kind of suffering. His naturally serious mind, was filled with despondent forebodings, and his continued bodily pains were increased and intensified. Modern people understand the connection with bodily ill health and depression. Gregory's "sole consolation was the hope that death would come quickly". He died on 12 March, 604, and on the same day his body was laid to rest in front of the sacristy in the portico of St. Peter's Basilica.
Almighty and merciful God, Who raised up Gregory of Rome to be a servant of the servants of God, and inspired him to send missionaries to preach the Gospel to the English people: Preserve in Your Church the catholic and apostolic faith they taught, that Your people, being fruitful in every good work, may receive the crown of glory that never fades away; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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