Letter 5022: You did me the honor of entrusting the choice of your bishop to my judgment, and I want you to know that I take that...

To the nobles of Syracuse. Since they had committed the choice of a bishop to Gregory's judgment, he is at pains to ordain for them such a man as may imitate Maximian, his predecessor. Gregory to the nobles of Syracuse. The letter which you have sent bears witness to your praiseworthiness, in that it makes known that you have wisely declined the burdens of the election. And since you have committed this matter to our judgment, and, reporting many good things of Maximian, the bishop of venerable memory now deceased, you request that such a one be ordained for you, you indeed act as becomes faithful sons, because you give testimony concerning a worthy and watchful father, and you do not tear apart his good qualities even after his death, though others disparage them. Wherefore we pray the almighty Lord both to reward you according to the goodwill of your sincerity, and mercifully to pardon those who speak against him. Yet let your greatness know this, that we have not one to give to that city like to the most reverend Maximian. But since Agatho is chosen by the clergy and people of the Church of Syracuse, and another is chosen by certain persons, it is necessary that this man who has been elected by the clergy and people come again to us, so that, both parties being set face to face, he who shall please God, and shall be seen to be more useful, may be ordained. For it is our desire that such a bishop be ordained there, by the grace of Christ, as ought in all things, with God as his helper, to prove an imitator of the good qualities of the aforesaid bishop, to whose deeds you bear witness.

AD NOB/LES SYRACUSANOS. Cum episcopi electionem Gregorii arbitrio commis's8ent, talem eis ordinare studet, qr: Maximianum deces80- rem imiltelur. Gregorius nobilibus Syracusanis. Laudis vestre testimonium 4 quam direxistis gerit epistola, quod electionis vos onera 8apieuter decli- nasse $ignificat. Et quoniam nostro hoc arbitlrio com- mi-ivtis, ac mulia bona de venerandzze memorize quondam Maximiano episcopo JSZ referentes talem vobis ordinari depo>citis, - vos quidem sicut decet fideles filios facitis, quia hc de digno sollici- loque patre lestamini, et obtrectantibus aliis bona jipsius etiam pos! obitum non lacelis. Unde oramus omnipotentem Dominum, ut et vobis pro sinceritatis vesirz voluntate retribuat, et obloquentibus clemen- ter ignoscat. Hoc tamen sciat maguitudo vesira, quia civitati illi quem dare Maximiano reverendissimo similem non habemus. Sed quia a clero et plebe Ecclesiz Syracusanze Agatho, ab aliquibus autem alter eligitur, hunc qui a clero et plebe electus est ad nos jiterum venire necesse est, ut utrisque comi- nus constitutis, ille qui Deo placuerit, et uiiler visus ſuerit, ordinetur. Nam desiderii nostri est ta- lem illic cum Chrisli gratia ordinari pomificem, qui bonorum $supradicti episcopi cujus vos actiondbis tes monium perhibevs in omnibus debeat, Dev ad- jutore, imilator exislere.