Letter 5048: We have been desirous of carrying out the wish of the most excellent the lord Patrician as to the person of Donatus, the archdeacon; but, seeing that it is very dangerous to the soul to lay hands on any one rashly, we took care to examine by a thorough investigation into his life and deeds. And, since many things have been discovered, as we have...

Gregory to Andrew, Legal Adviser. We were eager to carry out the wishes of the most excellent lord Patrician regarding the person of Donatus the archdeacon. But since it is extremely dangerous to the soul to ordain anyone rashly, we took care to conduct a thorough investigation into his life and conduct. Many things came to light, as I have written to the lord Patrician, that disqualify him entirely from the episcopate. Fearing God's judgment, we could not consent to his ordination. Nor could we ordain John the presbyter, who does not know the Psalms -- a fact that clearly showed he takes too little care of his own spiritual formation. With both candidates excluded, we urged the parties to choose someone from among their own people. They declared they had no one fit for the office. While we shared their distress, they at last -- with one voice and unanimous consent -- repeatedly petitioned our venerable brother the presbyter Marinianus, whom they learned had lived alongside me in a monastery for a long time. He shrank from the office, but was at last persuaded by various means to agree to their request with great reluctance. Since we knew his life well and recognized his zeal for winning souls, we did not delay his ordination. Receive him, then, as is fitting, and extend the support of your assistance to him in his new role. As you know, the newness of any office is trying for everyone. But I have great confidence that Almighty God, who has placed him over his flock, will both stir him inwardly to attend to spiritual matters and comfort him with the grace of his loving-kindness for managing external affairs. Since, after his long enjoyment of quiet, this new responsibility will undoubtedly expose him to upheaval, I ask that when he comes to you fleeing the storms of worldly affairs, he may always find in your heart a haven of rest and be refreshed by the gift of your kindness. You will soon discover how well you can work together -- for he comes to the episcopate unwillingly.

Book V, Letter 48 To Andrew, Scholasticus. Gregory to Andrew, etc. We have been desirous of carrying out the wish of the most excellent the lord Patrician as to the person of Donatus, the archdeacon; but, seeing that it is very dangerous to the soul to lay hands on any one rashly, we took care to examine by a thorough investigation into his life and deeds. And, since many things have been discovered, as we have written to the said lord Patrician, which remove him far from the episcopate, we, fearing the judgment of God, have not thought fit to consent to his ordination. But neither have we presumed to ordain John, the presbyter, who is ignorant of the psalms, since this circumstance certainly showed him to be too little in earnest about himself. These, then, being excluded, when we had urged the parties to choose some one from among their own people , and they declared that they had no one fit for this office, and when we together with them were the more distressed, they at length, with one common voice and consent, repeatedly solicited our venerable brother the presbyter Marinianus, who they learned had been associated with me for a long time in a monastery. He, shrinking from the office, was at last, by various means, with difficulty persuaded to give assent to their petition. And, since we were well acquainted with his life, and knew him to be solicitous in winning souls, we did not delay his ordination. Let, therefore, your Glory receive him as is becoming, and extend to his newness the aid of your succour. For to all, as you know, newness in any office whatever is very trying. But I have great confidence that Almighty God, who has vouchsafed to put him over His flock, will both stimulate him to give heed to what is inward, and comfort him with the loving-kindness of His grace for administering what is outward. But, inasmuch as, after his long enjoyment of quiet, his newness, as we have before said, will without doubt expose him to perturbation, I beg that, when he shall come to you flying from the whirlwinds of secular storms, he may always find in your heart a haven of rest, and be cheered by the boon of your charity. But you will soon learn how much you will find yourselves able to agree; for he comes unwillingly to the episcopate.