"We encountered Abba John the Persian at the Lavra of Monidia and he told us this about Gregory Dialogos (the Great), the most blessed Bishop of Rome (590-604): "I went to Rome to pray at the tombs of the most blessed Apostles, Peter and Paul. One day as I was standing in the city centre I saw that Pope Gregory was going to pass by. I had it in mind to prostrate myself before him (so as to ask for his blessing). The attendants of the Pope began saying to me, one by one, "Abba, do not prostrate yourself," but I could not understand why they had said that to me; certainly it seemed improper for me not to prostrate myself. When the Pope came near and perceived that I was about to prostrate myself - the Lord is my witness, brethren - he prostrated himself down to the ground and refused to rise until I had got up. He embraced me with great humility, handed me three pieces of gold and ordered me to be given a monastic cloak, directing that all my needs were to be taken care of. So I glorified God who had given him such humility towards everybody, such generosity, and such love."