To Cyprian the Deacon, on a Successor to Maximianus of Syracuse

Gregory to Cyprian, and so on. [a]

I have received your letter with its most bitter news of the death of the lord Maximianus in the month of November. He, indeed, has reached the rewards he longed for; but the unhappy people of the city of Syracuse are to be pitied, since they were not counted worthy to have such a shepherd for long. So let your love take anxious care that a man is chosen for ordination in that church who will not seem to hold, undeservedly, the same place of rule after the lord Maximianus. I do believe the majority would choose the presbyter Trajan, who is said to be of a good character but who, I suspect, is not fit to rule in that place. Still, if no one better can be found, and if there are no charges against him, he may be accepted under the pressure of very great necessity. But if you ask my wishes about this election, I tell you privately what I do wish. To me no one in that church seems as worthy, after the lord Maximianus, as John, the archdeacon of the church of Catania. If his election can be brought about, I believe he will prove an exceedingly fit man. But he too must first be looked into by you privately, to see whether any charges against him stand in the way. If he is found free of any, he may rightly be chosen. If this is done, our brother and fellow bishop Leo will also have to give him leave to go, so that he is free to be ordained. These things, then, I have taken care to make known to your love. It will now be your concern to look carefully all around you and arrange what is pleasing to God. [b]