Testamentum

Of Saint Gregory the Theologian, a copy of the testament, transcribed from the original document, in which his own autograph signatures and those of the subscribing witnesses are preserved. In the consulship of Flavius Eucherius and Flavius Evagrius, the most illustrious, on the day before the Kalends of January. I, Gregory, bishop of the catholic church in the city of Constantinople, being alive and of sound mind, and in healthy understanding, and with firm reasoning, have made this my testament; which I order and wish to be valid and binding before every court and every authority. For I have already made my intention manifest, and I have consecrated all my property to the catholic church at Nazianzus, for the ministry of the poor under the aforementioned church. For this reason I have appointed three persons to be poor-keepers, according to this my decision: Marcellus the deacon and monk, and Gregory the deacon, who came from my household, and Eustathius the monk, who also came from my household. And now, preserving the same conscience toward the holy church at Nazianzus, I adhere to the same decision. Therefore, if it should happen that I meet the end of my life, let the aforementioned Gregory the deacon and monk, who came from my household, whom I long ago freed, be my heir of all my property, both movable and immovable, existing everywhere for me; and let all the rest be disinherited by me.

Thus then, so that he may restore all my property, both movable and immovable, to the holy catholic church in Nazianzus, without withholding anything whatsoever, except for what I may specifically leave to certain persons in this testament by way of legacy or fideicommissum; but all, as I said before, he is to preserve accurately for the church, having the fear of God before his eyes, and knowing that I have ordered all my property to go to the service of the poor of that same church, and for this purpose I have appointed him heir, so that through him everything may be preserved for the church without omission. The servants whom I have freed, whether by my own choice or by the instructions of my most blessed parents, I wish all of them to remain in freedom now as well, and their peculia to remain secure and undisturbed. I further wish my heir Gregory the deacon, together with the monk Eustathius, who were once from my household, to retain a property in Arianzoi which came down to us from Reginus. The cattle and the sheep, which I have already ordered to be given to them in their presence, and of which I have delivered both the usufruct and the ownership to them, I wish these to remain undisturbed for them by right of ownership. Moreover, I wish Gregory the deacon and my heir, who has served me faithfully, to retain by right of personal ownership fifty gold coins in number. To the most venerable virgin Russiane, my kinswoman, I have ordered fixed sums to be given each year for her to live in freedom.

which I wish and command to be given to her annually without delay, according to the form I have prescribed. Concerning her dwelling, I made no arrangement at that time, not knowing where it would be more agreeable for her to reside; but now I also wish this: that, in whatever place she may choose, a house befitting a free woman and suitable for the decorous conduct of a virgin be constructed for her. This house she shall evidently possess without hindrance for use and enjoyment for the duration of her life, and after that she shall restore it to the church. I also wish two girls, whom she herself may select, to be added to her, provided, however, that the girls remain with her until the time of her life. And if she is pleased with them, it shall be permitted for her to honor them with freedom; but if not, they too shall be conveyed to the same church. The servant Theophilus, who has been attending me, I have already freed. I therefore wish that five gold coins be given to him now as a legacy. I wish Eupraxius, his brother, to be free, and that five gold coins be given to him as a legacy. I further wish Theodosius, my notary, to be free, and that five gold coins be given to him as a legacy. My dearest daughter Alypiana (for regarding the others, Eugenia and Nonna, there is little to be said, whose life is blameworthy), I wish her to bear with me, if I was not able to leave anything to her, having promised everything to the poor, rather having followed the intention of my most blessed parents, whose judgment I consider neither holy nor safe to disregard.

As for whatever remains from the affairs of my blessed brother Caesarius, in silk or linen or woolen garments or in Burychalioi, I wish these to be distributed to her children, and that neither she nor her sisters be troubled in any way, neither by my heir nor by the church. My son-in-law Meletius holds the property in Apenzinsos that came from Euphemius, and he holds it unjustly; and concerning this I have previously written many times to Euphemius, condemning his lack of manliness if he did not reclaim his own. And now I call upon all, both rulers and ruled, as witnesses that Euphemius is being wronged; for the property must be restored to Euphemius. I wish the deed of purchase for the estate of Canotalon to be restored to the most reverend son, Bishop Amphilochius. For it is among our papers, and everyone knows that the contract was dissolved, that I received the price, and that I long ago surrendered both the possession and the ownership of the property. To Evagrius the deacon, who has labored and deliberated much with me and has demonstrated his goodwill on many occasions, I acknowledge gratitude before God and before men, and may God reward him with greater things; but so that even the small tokens of friendship from us may not be lacking, I wish him to be given one kamason, one sticharion, two pallia, and thirty gold nomismata. Likewise, I wish to be given to our sweetest fellow deacon Theodulus, our brother, one kamason, two sticharia from those in the homeland, and twenty gold nomismata from the account in the homeland.

To Elaphius the notary, who is well-mannered and has served me well during the time he was in my service, I wish to be given one kamason, two sticharia, three pallia, one singilion, and in the homeland twenty gold nomismata. I wish this testament of mine to be authoritative and binding before every court and every authority. But if it should not hold as a testament, I wish it to hold as a will or codicil. Whoever attempts to overturn it will give account on the day of judgment and will have that account. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. I, Gregory, bishop of the catholic church in Constantinople, having read the testament and being pleased with all that is written above, have signed with my own hand, and I order and wish it to be binding. I, Amphilochius, bishop of the catholic church in Iconium, being present at the testament of the most reverend bishop Gregory, and having been asked by him, have signed with my own hand. I, Optimus, bishop of the catholic church in Antioch, being present as the most reverend bishop Gregory made his disposition, according to what is written above, and having been asked by him, have signed with my own hand.

my hand. Theodosius, bishop of the catholic church in Ida, being present at the testament of the most venerable bishop Gregory, and having been asked by him, subscribed with my hand. Theodulus, bishop of the holy catholic church in Apamea, [was present at the testament of the most venerable bishop Gregory, and having been asked by him, subscribed with my hand]. Hilarius, bishop of the catholic church in Isauria, being present [at the testament of the most venerable bishop Gregory, and having been asked by him, subscribed with my hand]. Themistius, bishop of the [holy church of God] in Adrianople, [was present at the testament of the most venerable bishop Gregory, and having been asked by him, subscribed with my hand]. Cledonius, presbyter of the catholic church in Iconium, being present [at the testament of the most venerable bishop Gregory, and having been asked by him, subscribed with my hand]. John, reader and notary of the most holy church of Nazianzupolis, having made the copy of the divine testament deposited in [the most holy church under my care], of the holy, glorious, and theologian Gregory, have issued it.