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| To Andrew, Scholasticus.
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Epistle XLVIII.
To Andrew, Scholasticus1613
| 1613 On the term
“Scholasticus,” see V. 36, note 9. It appears from
this and other epistles that persons thus designated were addressed as
“Gloria vestra.” The “Patrician”
mentioned in this letter as having recommended the Archdeacon Donatus
to succeed John as Archbishop of Ravenna, was Romanus Patricius, Exarch
of Italy, who died a.d. 598. He is often
addressed or referred to in the Epistles. See Index. | .
Gregory to Andrew, &c.
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 shewed 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 people1614
, 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 learnt 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
episcopate1615
| 1615 For subsequent
notices of Marinianus, see Index. | .E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
|
