To Andrew the Scholasticus, on the Choice of Marinianus

Gregory to Andrew, and so on. We wished to carry out the desire of the most excellent lord patrician concerning Donatus the archdeacon. But since it is very dangerous to the soul to lay hands on anyone rashly, we took care to look into his life and conduct by a thorough inquiry. And since many things have been found, as we have written to the lord patrician, that put him far from the office of bishop, we did not think it right, fearing the judgment of God, to consent to his ordination. Nor did we presume to ordain John the presbyter, who does not know the psalms, since this certainly showed that he took too little care over himself. With these two set aside, we urged the parties to choose someone from among their own people. They declared that they had no one fit for this office, and we were all the more distressed together with them. At length, with one common voice and consent, they asked again and again for our venerable brother the presbyter Marinianus, who, they had learned, had been with me for a long time in a monastery. He shrank from the office, and was at last, by various means and with difficulty, persuaded to agree to their request. And since we knew his life well, and knew him to be eager to win souls, we did not put off his ordination. [b]

So let your glory receive him as is fitting, and give him, new as he is, the support of your help. For newness in any office whatever is, as you know, very trying for everyone. But I have great confidence that Almighty God, who has seen fit to set him over his flock, will both stir him to attend to what is inward and comfort him with the loving-kindness of his grace in managing what is outward. But since, after his long enjoyment of quiet, his newness, as we have said, will no doubt expose him to disturbance, I ask that when he comes to you fleeing from the whirlwinds of worldly storms, he may always find in your heart a harbor of rest and be cheered by the kindness of your love. But you will soon learn how well you will be able to agree, for he comes to the office of bishop unwillingly.