Letter 3024: Ad virum venerabilem Anfionem presbyterum

XXIV To the venerable man Anfio the presbyter [a senior priest] Man glowing with piety, flourishing with gentle sweetness, in whose face the precious mind gleams, whom, as soon as I deserved to know you by the light of your countenance, I beheld that the light of understanding dwells within you. Anfio, father dear to me, venerable priest, and a love forever to be held in my heart; you who make whomever you see, however new to you, become a near kinsman, and if you do not know his lineage, in your mind he becomes your relative. Your pleasant goodwill draws all men into conversation, and you compel your own people to be of one heart unceasingly. Lively in talent, firm in the governance of your judgment, you remain everywhere fixed by the weight of your counsel; you who well govern with prudence the reins of ripe old age, and you who know how to regulate his rank for the man whom honor advances. Ready for every grace, you overflow with bounteous goodness, to whom joins himself whoever comes into the city. Flowing freely, you offer humanely your fruit to those who come, and your one house becomes a home for all peoples; for he whom Bishop Leontius extols with his own words: by the judgment of so great a man we believe these things.

XXIV Ad virum venerabilem Anfionem presbyterum Vir pietate calens, blanda dulcedine vernans, cuius in aspectu mens pretiosa micat, quem prius ut merui cognoscere lumine vultus, conspexi sensus lumen inesse tibi, Anfion, mihi care pater, venerande sacerdos atque meo semper corde tenendus amor; qui quemcumque novum videas facis esse propinquum, si genus ignores, fit tibi mente parens. provocat alloquio cunctos iucunda voluntas, cogis et unianimes iugiter esse tuos. ingenio vivax, sensus moderamine firmus, pondere consilii fixus ubique manes, qui bene cauta regis maturae frena senectae, cui quem praestat honor scis moderare gradum. promptus ad omne decus larga bonitate redundas, cui se coniungit quisquis in urbe venit. profluus humane frugem venientibus öfters et tua fit populis omnibus una domus; verbis quippe suis quem papa Leontius effert: iudicio tanti credimus ista viri.