Letter 104: On those who unworthy aspirations touch on ordination as a bishop.

It is not for just anyone to desire the episcopate, O admirable one, but only for those whose life is governed by the laws of Paul. If, then, you perceive in yourself that strictness of life, go gladly toward the ascent to so great a height. But if it is not present in you, do not attempt what is beyond your strength, lest in reaching for the summit you tumble into the abyss.

On those who unworthy aspirations touch on ordination as a bishop. It does not for just anyone to set his sights on a bishopric, my dear fellow, but to those whose lives are governed by the laws of Paul[3]. If then you perceive that degree of scrupulousness within yourself, proceed cheerfully towards the ascent to such an elevated position, but if you do not possess this (quality), until you acquire it, do not touch that which is untouchable[4]. Beware of approaching the fire which consumes matter.[5]

ΡΔ΄. – ΛΕΟΝΤΙΟ. Περὶ τοῦ ἀναξίως ψαύειν τῆς χειροτονίας τοῦ ἐπισκόπου. Οὐκ ἔστι τῶν τυγχανόντων (3) ἐπισκοπῆς ἐρᾶν, ὦ θαυμάσιε, ἀλλ᾽ ὧν ὁ βίος ἐκ τῶν Παύλου νόμων ἰθύ- νεται. Εἰ οὖν ἐκείνην ἐν σεαυτῷ θεωρεῖς τὴν ἀκρί- βειαν, ἴθι ἀσμένως πρὸς τὴν [τοῦ] τοσούτου ὕψους ἀνάβασιν. Εἰ δὲ οὐ πρόσεστί σοι αὕτη, μέχρις ἂν κτήσῃ, μὴ ψαύσῃς τῶν ἀψαύστων. Πρόσεχε πυρὶ προσεγγίζειν τὴν ὕλην δαπανῶντι. ΤΗ Γ΄. – ΚΥΡΙΛΛΟ. Ἡ τοῦ πρώτου θαύματος ποίησις, ἁπλῆ τῷ Κυρίῳ οὐ γέγονεν. Εἰ γὰρ καὶ τῷ γάμῳ τὴν χρείαν παρέσχετο, ἀλλὰ καὶ τῷ νόμῳ τὸ λείπον ἐπλήρωσεν. Ἐπειδὴ γὰρ ἐκεῖνος ἐν ὕδασι μόνον ἐβάπτιζεν, αὐτὸς τῷ οἰκείῳ αἵματι ἐτελείωσε, κιρνῶν ἐν ἑαυτῷ τὰ ἀμφότερα, καὶ ἐνῶν τὸν νόμον τῇ (32) χάριτι. ΡΟΑ΄. – ΘΕΟΔΩΡΩ ΚΟΜΙΤΙ Ἀνάγειν καὶ τὰ τῆς εὐγενείας τρόπαια, κατωρθώθη διὰ τὴν ἀρετήν.