Letter 230

230. To the magistrates of Nicopolis.

The arrangements concerning the churches are made by those entrusted with their oversight, but they are confirmed by the people. So that what lay with the most God-beloved bishops has been fulfilled; what remains now looks to you—if you will be willing to cling fervently to the bishop given you, and to repel strongly the attempts of those outside. For nothing so abashes either the rulers or the rest, all who envy your peaceful condition, as harmony in love toward the one given you and firmness of resistance. For it brings them to despair of every wicked undertaking, if they see neither clergy nor people accepting their designs. The judgement, then, that you hold concerning the good, make it common to the city; and address the people and all who dwell in the region, strengthening their good resolves, so that the genuineness of your love toward God may be proclaimed among all. And if we ourselves should ever be counted worthy to come and visit the church that is the nurse of piety, which we honour as the mother-city of orthodoxy—because from of old it has been governed by men most honoured and chosen of God, who hold fast to the faithful word according to the teaching, of whom you have judged the man now brought forward to be worthy, and we have agreed—

Only may you be kept safe by the grace of God, who undoes the wicked counsels of the enemies and works in your souls strength and vigour for the keeping of what has been rightly decided.