Letter 3006: Item ad Felicem episcopum de dedicatione ecclesiae suae

VI Likewise, to Bishop Felix, on the dedication of his church When Solomon was honoring the consecration of his noble temple, he caused the chosen men of Israel to be present: Levites, nobles, boys, young men, and old men the royal procession draws together from every side, each striving with the rest. Calves are slaughtered, bulls are butchered at the altars, and amid the vows of the people the joys lay in the killing. But now, after that age has run its course, an altar more righteous rises up to please God by a blessed rite: the prosperous festivals which Felix is even now administering for his peoples surpass by their new deeds the things done before. He summons the distinguished fathers to the sacred solemnities, where true salvation stands and the old shadow flees; men taught by the key of Peter to open the heavens to one who seeks, and by the admonitions of Paul to discern the closed places of heaven. Lest the wolf enter among the sheep, nor sickness gnaw at the lambs, on this side there are guardians, on that side healing for the flock; their voice, flowing back to the people from the fountain of salvation, that the people may drink the faith with the ear, holds out salt with the mouth. In the midst of these, the priest at Martin's see, Eufronius the holy metropolitan, shines forth; rejoicing as the holy crown of his brothers comes together, and seeing his own members, the summit stands the stronger: the head is the gladder for it, because its own inward parts are with it, and the honor of the church grows when the body is joined. Domitianus, likewise Victorius, both of them pillars, with hope abiding in each for the strengthening of the region. On this side Domnulus shines with his merits, on that side Romacharius, each by the right of priesthood a worshiper of God. Behold, the day long awaited, now to be remembered through the ages, full of pious vows, shines forth in the city, on which the shepherd has been granted to behold his own joys and to render his vows to God in sacred office; he who for a long time was held in suspense for this coming, looking down on all else (this was his whole love), fearing all things, though safe, in the suspect pathway of life, lest he travel the road before he could give these things to God; full often, concealing his weary sighs, he drew them, that the Lord might grant this honor to come swiftly; anxious, laboring under the uncertain burden of his cares, while he looked toward his vow, the passing of time was a weight upon him. But now the festal day is here; let the load of care be loosed, let the heap of gladness drive back the sad burden. Granting prosperity to the peoples and abundant joys throughout the city, Felix, come, a happy shepherd with a happy flock. On this side the bishops surround you, on that side the ministers: honor girds you wholly on this side, favor on that. Behold, the cleric resounds with choirs, the people on this side with the flute-players: each one sings your vow by whatever art he is able. The delays were grievous to you, because to one who loves there is always a delaying; for a lofty thing comes slowly, but it comes in fullness. Now amid the praises of the Lord sing your trumpet-blasts, and let the threefold frame sound forth the help of the Trinity. Add, O priest, the marrow-rich whole burnt offerings in the temples, by which, an unblemished victim, you may shine before God through length of days.

VI Item ad Felicem episcopum de dedicatione ecclesiae suae Cum Salomon coleret generosi encaenia templi, Israhel electos fecit adesse viros: Levitas proceres pueros iuvenesque senesque undique certatim regia pompa trahit. mactantur vituli, tauri iugulantur ad aras et populi in votis gaudia caedis erant. nunc vero adsurgit ritu placitura beato tempore decurso iustior ara deo: prospera quae populis Felix modo festa ministrans exsuperat rebus gesta priora novis. convocat egregios sacra ad sollemnia patres, quo stat vera salus et fugit umbra vetus; docti clave Petri caelos aperire petenti ac monitis Pauli noscere clausa poli. ne lupus intret oves neu morbus inulceret agnos hinc sunt custodes, inde medella gregis; quorum vox refluens populo de fonte salutis, ut bibat aure fidem, porrigit ore salem. inter quos medios Martini sede sacerdos Eufronius fulget metropolita sacer; plaudens in sancta fratrum coeunte corona et sua membra videns fortior exstat apex: laetius inde caput, quia sunt sua viscera secum, ecclesiae iuncto corpore crescit honor. Domitianus, item Victorius, ambo columnae, spes in utrisque manens pro regionis ope. Domnulus hinc fulget meritis, Romacharius inde, iure sacerdotii cultor uterque dei. en spectata diu, data nunc memoranda per aevum, votis plena piis fulget in urbe dies, in qua promeruit sua gaudia cernere pastor officioque sacro reddere vota deo; tempore qui longo adventu pendebat in isto despiciens aliud (hoc erat omnis amor), omnia tuta timens suspecto in tramite vitae, ne prius iret iter quam daret ista deo; saepius occultans suspiria lassa trahebat, cederet ut dominus hoc properare decus; anxius incerto curarum fasce laborans dum votum spectat, pondera tempus erant. sed iam festus adest, solvatur sarcina curae, laetitiae cumulus triste repellat onus. prospera dans populis et gaudia larga per urbem Felix felici cum grege pastor age. hinc te pontifices circumdant, inde ministri: cingit te totum hinc honor, inde favor. clericus ecce choris resonat, plebs inde choraulis: quisque tuum votum qua valet arte canit. tarda fuere tibi. quia fit mora semper amanti; res sublimis enim tarda, sed ampla venit. nunc domini laudes inter tua classica canta et trinitatis opem machina trina sonet. adde medullata in templis holocausta sacerdos, quo diuturna mices hostia pura deo.