Which earlier Christian writers influenced Gregory I’s religious thought?

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St. Gregory the Great Pope Gregory I (the Great) depicted in a stained glass window at St. Michael & All Angels Church in Brinkworth, Wiltshire, England.

Gregory I’s religious thought was shaped by several prominent earlier Christian writers and traditions. While he read the works of St. Augustine of Hippo, he was also deeply influenced by the ascetic tradition, specifically the writings of St. John Cassian, the Desert Fathers, and St. Jerome.1

In addition to these Christian figures, Gregory’s approach to moral theology and his emphasis on discretion and moderation were significantly influenced by Stoicism. By synthesizing these influences, Gregory helped adapt monastic ideals to be more applicable to the broader church, creating a framework where all Christians—from contemplatives to laypeople—could pursue a life of virtue and love for their neighbor.1