Letter 54

54. To the chorepiscopi.

It greatly grieves me that the canons of the fathers have now failed, and that all strictness has been driven out of the Churches; and I fear that, as this indifference advances little by little along its way, the affairs of the Church may come into utter confusion. The custom long established in the Churches of God used to receive those who minister to the Church only after testing them with all strictness; and their whole manner of life was scrutinized — whether they were not abusive, not drunkards, not quick to quarrel, whether they disciplined their youth, so that they might be able to attain that holiness without which no one shall see the Lord. And the presbyters and deacons who lived with them used to examine this, and refer it to the chorepiscopi, who, receiving the votes of those who truly bore witness, and reminding the bishop, would thus enroll the minister in the order of the clergy.

But now, first, having thrust me aside, and not even deigning to refer the matter to me, you have taken the whole authority into your own hands. Then, growing careless of the matter, you have permitted presbyters and deacons to introduce into the Church whomever they wish, out of unexamined lives, by personal favour — whether from kinship or from some other friendship — the unworthy. So that many ministers are numbered in each village, but not one worthy of the ministry of the altar, as you yourselves bear witness, being at a loss for men in the elections.

Since, then, I see the matter now advancing to an incurable state — especially now that the greater number, through fear of conscription, are foisting themselves into the ministry — I have necessarily come to the point of renewing the canons of the fathers. And I charge you to send me the register of those who minister in each village, and by whom each was introduced, and what manner of life he leads. You yourselves are to keep the register beside you, so that your records may be compared with the documents laid up with us, and so that it may not be possible for anyone to enroll himself whenever he wishes. So then, after the first registration, if any were introduced by presbyters, let them be cast back among the laity. And let a fresh examination of them be made by you; and if they are worthy, let them be received by your vote. Cleanse the Church by driving out from it the unworthy. And for the future, examine the worthy and receive them, but do not number them before referring to us; or else know that he who is received into the ministry without our judgment shall be a layman.