A Praiseworthy Youth

Cyprianus presbyteris et diaconibus et plebi universae salutem.  In ordinationibus clericis, fratres charissimi, solemus vos ante consulere et mores ac merita singulorum communi consilio panderare. Sed expectanda non sunt testimonia humana cum praecedunt divina suffragia. Aurelois frater noster, illustris adolescens, a Domino jam probatus et Deo charus, in annis adhuc novellus, sed virtutis ac fidei laude provectus, minor in aetatis suae indole, sed major in honore, gemino hic agone certavit; bis confessus, et bis confessionis suae victoria gloriosus, et quando vicit in cursu factus extorris, et cum denuo certamine fortiore pugnavit, triumphator et victor in praelio passionis. Quoties adversarius provocare servos Dei voluit, toties promptissimus ac fortissimus miles et pugnavit et vicit. Parum fuerat sub oculis ante paucorum, quando extorris fiebat, congressum fuisse, meruit et in foro congredi clariore virtute, ut post magistratus etiam proconsulem vinceret, et post exilium tormenta superaret. Nec invenio quid in eo praedicare plus debeam, gloriam vulnerum, an verecundiam morum, quod honore virtutis insignis est, an quod pudoris admiratione laudabilis. Ita et dignitate excelsus est et humilitate submissus, ut appareat illum divinitus reservatum qui ad ecclesiasticam disciplinam caeteris esset exemplo, quomodo servi Dei in confessione virtutibus vincerent, post confessionem moribus eminerent. Merebatur talis clericae ordinationis ulteriores gradus et incrementa majora, non de annis suis sed de meritis aestimandus. Sed interim placuit ut ab officio lectionis incipiat, quia et nihil magis congruit voci quae Dominum gloriosa praedictatione confessa est, quam celebrandis divinis lectionibus personare; post verba sublimia quae Christi martyrium prolucuta sunt, Evangelium Christi legere, unde martyres fiunt; ad pulpitum post catastam venire, illic fuisse conspicuum gentilium multitudini, hic a fratribus conspici, illic auditum esse eum miraculo circumstantis populi, hic cum gaudio fraternitatis audiri. Hunc igitur, fratres dilectissimi, a me at a collegis qui  praesentes aderant ordinatum sciatis. Quod vos scio et libenter amplecti et optare tales in ecclesia nostra quamplurimos ordinari. Et quoniam semper gaudium properet, nec potest moras ferre laetitia, dominico legit. interim nobis, id est, auspicatis est pacem dum dedicat lectionem. Vos orationibus frequenter insistite, et preces nostras vestris precibus adjuvate, ut Domini misericordia favens nobis, cito plebi suae et sacerdotem reddat incolumem et martyrem cum sacerdote lectorem. Opto vos, fratres charissimi, in Deo Patre et Christo Jesu semper bene valere. Sanctus Cyprianus, Epistula XXXIII, Ad Clerum et Plebem

Cyprian to the elders and deacons, and to the whole people, greeting. Concerning the ordinations of clergy, beloved brethren, we are accustomed to consult you beforehand and with common advice weigh the character and merits of each one. But we must not wait for human testimonies when the Divine approval precedes. Aurelius, our brother, an illustrious youth, already tested by the Lord and dear to God, in years still  young, but in the praise of virtue and of faith mature, less in the nature of his age, but greater in honour, has contended here in a double contest, twice he has confessed and twice been glorious in the victory of his confession, both when he conquered in the course and was banished, and then when he fought in a harder struggle he was triumphant and victor in the battle of suffering. As many times as the adversary wished to call forth the servants of God, so often this most prompt and brave soldier fought and prevailed. It would have been a small thing for the eyes of few when he was banished but he merited also in the forum an engagement with a more illustrious virtue so that after the magistrates he might also triumph over the proconsul, and, after exile, might overcome tortures. Nor do I know what I should speak most of in him, the glory of his wounds or the modesty of his character, that he is distinguished by the honour of his virtue, or praiseworthy for the admirableness of his modesty. As he is so excellent in dignity, so he is lowly in humility, so that it appears that he is divinely reserved to be an example to the rest for ecclesiastical discipline, of how the servants of God in confession should by their virtues conquer and after confession be conspicuous for their character. Such a person deserved higher degrees of clerical ordination, greater rank, not on account of his years but because of his merits, but in the meantime it pleased that he should begin with the office of reading because nothing is more suitable for the voice which has confessed the Lord in glorious utterance than to speak of Him in the renowned Divine readings, than, after the sublime words which spoke for witness of Christ, to read the Gospel of Christ whence martyrs are made, to come to the desk after the scaffold, from there where one is conspicuous to the multitude of the Gentiles, to be here seen beheld by the brethren, there to have been heard with amazement by the surrounding people, here to be heard with the joy of the brotherhood. Know, then, most beloved brethren, that this man by me and by my colleagues who were then present has been ordained. I know that you will gladly welcome this and wish that as many such as him be ordained in our church. And because joy is always hasty and gladness can brook no delay, he reads on the Lord's day. Meanwhile, for us there was  a favourable peace while he was dedicated to the office of a reader. Be frequently urgent in supplications and assist our prayers by yours that the mercy of the Lord favouring us He may quickly return to their people the unharmed and those who suffered with the priest and the reader. I wish, beloved brethren in God the Father and in Jesus Christ, that you always be well. Saint Cyprian, Letter 33, To the Clergy and the People