ON ST. GREGORIA, VIRGIN.
Sixth Century.
CommentaryGregoria, Virgin at Rome (Saint)
We have found the name of St. Gregoria the Virgin in only one manuscript Calendar of the Saints, recorded in these words: St. Gregoria, a nun in the City, whom St. Gregory mentions. And indeed the testimony of the great Pope Gregory is worth that of many. He writes in book 3 of the Dialogues, chapter 14, as follows: St. Gregoria, fleeing marriage, is defended by the monk St. Isaac. In the earlier times of the Goths, there was near the city of Spoleto a man of venerable life, named Isaac, who survived almost to the very end of the Gothic era, whom many of our own people knew, and especially the holy virgin Gregoria, who now dwells in this city of Rome near the church of Blessed Mary ever-Virgin. When, in the time of her youth, with her wedding already arranged, she had fled to the church and was seeking the way of life of a nun, she was defended by that same man and, under the Lord's protection, brought to the habit she desired. Because she fled a bridegroom on earth, she deserved to have a Bridegroom in heaven. We shall treat of her again on April 11 in the life of the monk St. Isaac. It is remarkable that she is listed neither by Antonio Gallonio in his Lives of the Holy Roman Virgins, nor by Silvano Razzi in his History of Women Illustrious in Virtue.