Letter 5017: I received your letters of most bitter import about the death of the Lord Maximianus in the month of November. And he indeed has reached the rewards he longed for, but the unhappy people of the city of Syracuse is to be commiserated as not having been counted worthy to have such a pastor long. Accordingly let your Love take anxious heed that su...

Gregory to Cyprian, Deacon. I received your deeply sorrowful letters about the death of the Lord Maximianus in the month of November. He has reached the rewards he longed for, but the unfortunate people of Syracuse deserve our sympathy for not being counted worthy to have such a pastor for long. Let Your Love take urgent care that someone be chosen for ordination in that church who may not seem to hold unworthily the same position of authority after the Lord Maximianus. I believe the majority would choose the priest Trajan, who is said to be of good character but who, I suspect, is not suited to governing in that see. Still, if no better candidate can be found and there are no charges against him, he might be accepted under the pressure of great necessity. But if my own preference is sought regarding this election, I will tell you privately what I think: no one in that church appears to me as worthy a successor to the Lord Maximianus as John, the archdeacon of the Church of Catania. If his election can be arranged, I believe he will prove an extremely fit choice. But he too must first be investigated privately by you for any impediments. If he is found free of them, he may rightly be elected. Should this happen, our brother and fellow bishop Leo will also need to grant him leave to go, so that he is free to be ordained. I have taken care to lay these considerations before Your Love. It is now your responsibility to look carefully in all directions and arrange what is pleasing to God.

Book V, Letter 17 To Cyprian, Deacon. Gregory to Cyprian, etc. I received your letters of most bitter import about the death of the Lord Maximianus in the month of November. And he indeed has reached the rewards he longed for, but the unhappy people of the city of Syracuse is to be commiserated as not having been counted worthy to have such a pastor long. Accordingly let your Love take anxious heed that such a one may be chosen for ordination in the same church as may not seem to obtain undeservedly the same place of rule after the lord Maximianus. And indeed I believe that the majority would choose the presbyter Trajan, who, as is said, is of a good disposition, but, as I suspect, not fit for ruling in that place. Yet, if a better cannot be found, and if there are no charges against him, he may be condescended to under stress of very great necessity. But, if my wishes are asked with regard to this election, I inform you privately of what I do wish: for no one in this same church appears to me so worthy after the lord Maximianus as John the archdeacon of the Church of Catania. And, if his election can be brought about, I believe that he will be found an exceedingly fit person. But he too must first be enquired about by you privately as to any charges against him that may stand in the way. If he should be found free from any, he may be rightly chosen. Should this be done, our brother and fellow bishop Leo will also have to give him leave to go, that he may be found free to be ordained. These things, then, I have taken care to intimate to your Love; and it will now be your concern to look round you on all sides carefully, and arrange what is pleasing to God. About this page Source. Translated by James Barmby. From Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, Vol. 12. Edited by Philip Schaff and Henry Wace. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1895.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight. <https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/360205017.htm>. Contact information. The editor of New Advent is Kevin Knight. My email address is feedback732 at newadvent.org. (To help fight spam, this address might change occasionally.) Regrettably, I can't reply to every letter, but I greatly appreciate your feedback — especially notifications about typographical errors and inappropriate ads.