Debating the Saints' Cult in the Age of Gregory the Great

Abstract

The topic of this book is a debate about the supernatural powers of saints and about the afterlife that took place during the late sixth and early seventh centuries. Chapters One and Two are devoted to Books II and IV of Gregory the Great’s Dialogi. In the former of these books Gregory explains how the miracles and prophecies of saints come about, and in the latter he deals with the afterlife and the efficacy of masses for the dead.