Epistle XVII.
To Cyprian, Deacon
1583
.
Gregory to Cyprian, &c.
I received your letters of most bitter import
about the death of the
Lord
Maximianus
1584
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 thy 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 thee 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
Catana. 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 thee 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
1585
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 thy Love; and it will now be thy
concern to look round thee on all sides carefully, and arrange what is
pleasing to
God
.
1583
The deacon
Cyprian had succeeded the sub-deacon Peter as
rector patrimonii
in Sicily, and Gregory’s general agent there, through whom he
acted in ecclesiastical as well as temporal matters, at any rate now,
after the death of Maximianus of Syracuse.
1584
See II. 7, note
5.
1585
Bishop of Catana
where this John was archdeacon.