Letter 5022

From: Pope Gregory I To: The Noble Citizens of Syracuse Date: ~595 AD Context: Gregory writes to the Syracusans who had left the choice of bishop to him; he is trying to find them someone of Maximianus's quality You did me the honor of entrusting the choice of your bishop to my judgment, and I want you to know that I take that trust seriously. I am working to find you a man of the quality you deserve — and the standard I have in mind is high. Maximianus has shown what a good Sicilian bishop can be, and I am not going to present you with someone who falls significantly short of that example. Be patient a little longer. I am looking, and I will not stop looking until I find the right man.

AD NOB/LES SYRACUSANOS. Cum episcopi electionem Gregorii arbitrio commis's8ent, talem eis ordinare studet, qr: Maximianum deces80- rem imiltelur. Gregorius nobilibus Syracusanis. Laudis vestre testimonium 4 quam direxistis gerit epistola, quod electionis vos onera 8apieuter decli- nasse $ignificat. Et quoniam nostro hoc arbitlrio com- mi-ivtis, ac mulia bona de venerandzze memorize quondam Maximiano episcopo JSZ referentes talem vobis ordinari depo>citis, - vos quidem sicut decet fideles filios facitis, quia hc de digno sollici- loque patre lestamini, et obtrectantibus aliis bona jipsius etiam pos! obitum non lacelis. Unde oramus omnipotentem Dominum, ut et vobis pro sinceritatis vesirz voluntate retribuat, et obloquentibus clemen- ter ignoscat. Hoc tamen sciat maguitudo vesira, quia civitati illi quem dare Maximiano reverendissimo similem non habemus. Sed quia a clero et plebe Ecclesiz Syracusanze Agatho, ab aliquibus autem alter eligitur, hunc qui a clero et plebe electus est ad nos jiterum venire necesse est, ut utrisque comi- nus constitutis, ille qui Deo placuerit, et uiiler visus ſuerit, ordinetur. Nam desiderii nostri est ta- lem illic cum Chrisli gratia ordinari pomificem, qui bonorum $supradicti episcopi cujus vos actiondbis tes monium perhibevs in omnibus debeat, Dev ad- jutore, imilator exislere.