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.

Gregorius Cypriano diacono. Amarissimas tuz dilectionis episiolas de domni Maximiani obitu * mense Novembris 8uscepi. JJ Kt quidem ille ad pramia desiderala pervenit, sed mſelix populus Syracusanz Civilalis Jugendus est, qui pastorem talem diu habere non meruit. Projade dilectio tua sollicitudinem gerat, ut in eadem Eccle- za talis debeat-ad ordinandum eligi , qui post dom- num Maximianum ejusdem regiminis locum non vi- leatur immerito sortiri. Et quidem credo quod Tra-. ianum presbyterum maxima pars eligat, qui, -ut di- cilur, bone mentis est; sed quantum Suspicor, ad regendum Jlocum illum idoneus non esl. Tamen si melior inveniri non valet , et ipse nullis criminibus lenetur involutus, condescendi ad eum, cogente nimia necessilate , potest. Si autem mea volunlas ad hanc electionem quzritur, 1ibi secrelo indico quod volo, quia nullus mihi in eadem Ecclesia post domnum Maximjanum tam dignus videtur quam Joannes ar- chidiaconus Calanensis Ecclesizz. Qui si fieri potest