Nicene and Post-Nicene Church Fathers Series 2 - The Still Small ...

To the magistrates of Nicopolis.
Letter CCXXX. 2937
The government of the Churches is carried on by those to whom the chief offices in
them have been entrusted, but their hands are strengthened by the laity. The measures
which lay with the God-beloved bishops have been taken. The rest concerns you, if you
deign to accord a hearty reception to the bishop who has been given you, and to make a
vigorous resistance to attacks from outside. For nothing is so likely to cause discouragement
to all, whether rulers or the rest who envy your peaceful position, as agreement in affection
to the appointed bishop, and firmness in maintaining your ground. They are likely to despair
of every evil attempt, if they see that their counsels are accepted neither by clergy nor by
laity. Bring it about then that your own sentiments as to the right 2938 may be shared by all
the city, and so speak to the citizens, and to all the inhabitants of the district, in confirmation
of their good sentiments, that the genuineness of your love to God may be everywhere
known. I trust that it may be permitted me one day to visit and inspect a Church which is
the nursing mother of true religion, honoured by me as a metropolis of orthodoxy, because
it has from of old been under the government of men right honourable and the elect of God,
who have held fast to “the faithful word as we have been taught.” 2939 You have approved
him who has just been appointed as worthy of these predecessors, and I have agreed. May
you be preserved by God’s grace. May He scatter the evil counsels of our enemies, and fix
in your souls strength and constancy to preserve what has been rightly determined on.
2937 Of the same date as the preceding.
2938 τοῦ καλοῦ, or “the good man:” i.e. Euphronius.
2939 Tit. i. 9. cf. 1 Tim. i. 15; 1 Tim. iii. 1; 2 Tim. ii. 11; and Tit. iii. 8.
To the magistrates of Nicopolis.
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