ABSTRACT
Pope Gregory's natural conservatism in the matters of law and order, discipline and hierarchy was reinforced by his keen awareness of the imminent end of the world. One of the principal interests and responsibilities of the popes had been for the liturgy, the framework of Christian worship which contained the essence of the sacred magic and constituted what has been called 'that sense of community which transcends the limitations of time'. The relationship between Romanitas and Christianitas is particularly well illustrated by Gregory's operation of the law. Gregory was thoroughly conversant with the imperial law code, as one would expect from a former city prefect. In his own judicial activities, Gregory displayed a Roman juridical mentality, fluency with the law, and a characteristic desire to lay down general principles and define particular rights.
