Pope Gregory the great was the Pope of the Catholic Church between 590 to 604 AD. He was declared after the death of Pope Pelagius II, who reigned from 579 to 590. Pope Pelagius II chose Gregory to serve as an ambassador to the imperial court in Constantinople.
Pope Gregory the Great was known for his emphasis on missionary work. He also emphasized service to the poor for deacons and made several changes to mass notably the position of Our Father in the mass. He was also known to give alms to the poor.
He established "cantus planus" meaning plain chant in English. This style is known by many as Gregorian chants today. This melodious monophonic chant is known throughout the Church and is associated with medieval monasteries.
Gregoran chants are a body of chants of the Roman Catholic Church, most of which are part of two liturgical rites, the Mass and the Offices. Origins are traditionally are associated to the period of Pope Gregory I 590-604. The sacred music of the Gregorian Chant was also known as plainchant, or plainsong and named after Pope Gregory.
Gregorian chant appeared in a remarkably uniform state across Europe within a short time. Charlemagne, once elevated to Holy Roman Emperor, aggressively spread Gregorian chant throughout his empire to consolidate religious and secular power, requiring the clergy to use the new repertory on pain of death.
