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Born in Rome as Gregorius to father Gordianus, a wealthy [[Roman]] senator who owned large estates in [[Sicily]] and Gregory's mother is honored as [[Saint Silvia]]. Gregory was the nephew of [[Saint Emiliana]] and [[Saint Tarsilla]] as well as the great-grandson of [[Pope Saint Felix III]]. Gregory was educated by the finest teachers in Rome. Following in his father's footsteps, he embarked upon a political career. He loved to meditate on the Scriptures and to listen attentively to the conversations of his elders, so that he was "devoted to God from his youth up". <ref>[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06780a.htm Pope St. Gregory I ("the Great")] Catholic Encyclopedia</ref> It was a tumultuous time in Italian history.  The fall of the Roman Empire had left Italy in a power vacuum and ravaged by different tribes.  While still a young boy, Rome was first captured by the [[Goths]]. Gregory later witnessed the death of Romans at the hands of [[Lombards]]. The Lombards laid waste to cities, towns and villages. His life would be defined by overcoming six barbarian nations. Gregory had seen orthodox [[Catholicism]] replaced by [[pagan]] [[Anglo-Saxons]] in [[Britain]], pagan [[Franks]] in Northern [[France]], [[Arian]] [[Visigoths]] in Southern France and [[Spain]], the Arian [[Ostrogoths]] in [[Italy]], the Arian [[Vandals]] in North [[Africa]], and finally the Arian [[Burgundians]] in Eastern France. <ref>[http://catholicism.org/gregory-great.html  The Life of Saint Gregory the Great] Catholicism.org</ref> Pope Saint Gregory would not only bring order out of all this, but lay the foundation of the Church as it would enter the [[Middle Ages]].

Born in Rome as Gregorius to father Gordianus, a wealthy [[Roman]] senator who owned large estates in [[Sicily]] and Gregory's mother is honored as [[Saint Silvia]]. Gregory was the nephew of [[Saint Emiliana]] and [[Saint Tarsilla]] as well as the great-grandson of [[Pope Saint Felix III]]. Gregory was educated by the finest teachers in Rome. Following in his father's footsteps, he embarked upon a political career. He loved to meditate on the Scriptures and to listen attentively to the conversations of his elders, so that he was "devoted to God from his youth up". <ref>[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06780a.htm Pope St. Gregory I ("the Great")] Catholic Encyclopedia</ref> It was a tumultuous time in Italian history.  The fall of the Roman Empire had left Italy in a power vacuum and ravaged by different tribes.  While still a young boy, Rome was first captured by the [[Goths]]. Gregory later witnessed the death of Romans at the hands of [[Lombards]]. The Lombards laid waste to cities, towns and villages. His life would be defined by overcoming six barbarian nations. Gregory had seen orthodox [[Catholicism]] replaced by [[pagan]] [[Anglo-Saxons]] in [[Britain]], pagan [[Franks]] in Northern [[France]], [[Arian]] [[Visigoths]] in Southern France and [[Spain]], the Arian [[Ostrogoths]] in [[Italy]], the Arian [[Vandals]] in North [[Africa]], and finally the Arian [[Burgundians]] in Eastern France. <ref>[http://catholicism.org/gregory-great.html  The Life of Saint Gregory the Great] Catholicism.org</ref> Pope Saint Gregory would not only bring order out of all this, but lay the foundation of the Church as it would enter the [[Middle Ages]].

After the completion of his law studies, Byzantine Emperor [[Justin the Younger]] appointed Gregory Chief Magistrate of Rome, he highest civil dignity in the city. <ref>[http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=54 Saint Gregory the Great] Catholic Online</ref> After the death of Gregory's father, he built seven monasteries, six in Sicily and one in Rome. The Prefect Gregory, like his parents, disposed of his goods and dedicated himself to the service of his Lord in poverty, chastity and obedience. He would eventual become a [[Benedictine]] monk and settled in the [[monestary]] he constructed, Saint Andrew’s. In 578, [[Pope Benedict I]] made Gregory one of the seven deacons of Rome.  

After the completion of his law studies, Byzantine Emperor [[Justin the Younger]] appointed Gregory Chief Magistrate of Rome, he highest civil dignity in the city. <ref>[http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=54 Saint Gregory the Great] Catholic Online</ref> After the death of Gregory's father, he built seven monasteries, six in Sicily and one in Rome. The Prefect Gregory, like his parents, disposed of his goods and dedicated himself to the service of his Lord in poverty, chastity and obedience. He would eventual become a [[Benedictine]] monk and settled in the [[monastery]] he constructed, Saint Andrew’s. In 578, [[Pope Benedict I]] made Gregory one of the seven deacons of Rome.

==Papacy==

==Papacy==