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| Chapter I. Of the life of Abbot Daniel.
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Chapter I.
Of the life of Abbot Daniel.
Among the other heroes of
Christian philosophy we also knew Abbot Daniel, who was not only the
equal of those who dwelt in the desert of Scete in every sort of
virtue, but was specially marked by the grace of humility. This man on
account of his purity and gentleness, though in age the junior of most,
was preferred to the office of the diaconate by the blessed Paphnutius,
presbyter in the same desert: for the blessed Paphnutius was so
delighted with his excellent qualities, that, as he knew that he was
his equal in virtue and grace of life, he was anxious also to make him
his equal in the order of the priesthood. And since he could not bear
that he should remain any longer in an inferior office, and was also
anxious to provide a worthy successor to himself in his lifetime, he
promoted him to the dignity of the priesthood.1286
| 1286 Nothing further
appears to be known of Daniel than what is here told us by Cassian.
There has been some discussion as to the action of Paphnutius in having
him raised to the priesthood, as Cassian here narrates. Was Paphnutius
really a bishop, or is it a case of presbyterian orders, or do
Cassian’s expressions merely mean that Paphnutius procured his
ordination first to the Diaconate and then to the Priesthood? Probably
the latter, for (1) all the evidence goes to show that presbyters had
not the power of ordination; and (2) there are many instances, in which
it is said even of the laity that they “ordained” men to
the ministry when all that can possibly be meant is that they
“procured their ordination;” further (3) it will be noticed
that it is not even said that Paphnutius ordained Daniel but merely
that he “promoted” him to the priesthood; an expression
which might equally well be used of nomination as of actual ordination.
See the subject discussed in Bingham’s Antiquities, Book II. c.
iii. § 7, and C. Gore’s “Church and the
Ministry,” p. 374. | He however relinquished nothing of his
former customary humility, and when the other was present, never took
upon himself anything from his advance to a higher order, but when
Abbot Paphnutius was offering spiritual sacrifices, ever continued to
act as a deacon in the office of his former ministry. However, the
blessed Paphnutius though so great a saint as to possess the grace of
foreknowledge in many matters, yet in this case was disappointed of his
hope of the succession and the choice he had made, for he himself
passed to God no long time after him whom he had prepared as his
successor.E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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