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ER 1499

Epiphanius, deacon of Pavia (Italy), being still a young man is elevated to the episcopal see of Pavia. After his election, he addresses his presbyters and deacons and asks them to submit to his rule, even if he is younger than they, and to observe integrity and chastity, AD 467. Ennodius, Life of Epiphanius of Pavia, written ca AD 501/504.

43. Exacto ergo dedicationis suae die Ticinum rediit convocatisque universis presbyteris ac ministris talibus eos instruxit et confortavit adloquiis: 'quamvis me , fratres carissimi, inter primordia inmatura titubantem iudicii vestri et susceptae dignitatis pondus oppresserit, memini tamen quod magna gratiae vestrae debeam, cui maxima contulistis. 44. et licet parendi vobis magis quam iubendi habuerim voluntatem, mutavi tamen per officium personam serviendi, animum non omisi. estote pacifici, estote

unianimes; onus meum mecum dividite. fit enim ad portandum facilis sarcina, quam multorum colla sustentant. meam vobis communionem servandam cum omni humilitate polliceor, neque futurum esse quenquam, qui me, nisi cum deo nostro, possit offendere. auctorem bonorum operum servate pudicitiam; 45. et ne iniuriosum putetis quod grandaevos et presbyteros de continentia et integritate servanda puer appellat: conversatio, non anni, aut adulescentiam aperit aut senectam. speculamini meae conversationis interna et, si indignum aliquid agnoscitis, coercete. nemo ut ecclesiae principem admonere timeat, si probat errantem'. 46. his ita dictis conticuit. surrexerunt omnes et consona quasi ex pristina meditatione , sub momentanea tamen voce dixerunt: 'have, pater probatissime, have pontifex singularis. bonum te quidem universorum sensit electio, sed optimum etiam tua testantur alloquia. crescis sanctis meritis apud conscientiam nostram et aperiris luce operum supra quam porrigebatur opinio '. quibus breviter perstrictis suscepto omnes munere discesserunt.

(ed. Vogel 1885: 89-90)

43. The day of his consecration past, Epiphanius returned to Ticinum and calling together all his presbyters and deacons exhorted and comforted them thus: "Although, beloved brethern, the burden of this dignity imposed by your judgement oppresses me, realizing, as I do, my complete immaturity, yet I am not unmindful that to your favor I am indebted for the greatest honor that could possibly have been bestowed upon me. 44. To obey rather than to command you would have been more in accord with my wishes; and although, with the assumption of this dignity, in person I am no longer the one who serves yet I remain so in spirit. Be peaceful, be united, share with me my burden; for a burden that rests upon the shoulders of many is easily borne. I promise to preserve peace and harmony with you in all humility and to be offended by none save him who offends God. 45. Cherish modesty, whence springs every virtuous act and do not take it amiss that a youth exhort you, who are advanced in years and priests, to the preservation of continence and integrity; for it is conduct, not years, that distinguishes youth from age. Look into my inner life and compel me to correct whatever you see there unworthy of my state. Let no one fear to admonish even a bishop of the Chruch if he find him at fault." 46. Then all arose and in unison as if after long deliberation, but in reality on the inspiration of the moment, responded: "Hail most virtuous father, hail outstanding bishop. Your goodness the unanimity of your election attested, but your own words bear witness that you are the best. The more intimate knowledge of you, the greater is our appreciation of your merits; your splendid works prove you even greater than public opinion has proclaimed you to be." After these brief words, being assigned their various duties, they departed.

(trans. Cook 1942: 50, 51).

Place of event:

Region

Italy north of Rome with Corsica and Sardinia

City

Pavia

About the source:

Author: Ennodius of Pavia
Title: Life of saint Epiphanius of Pavia, Life of Epiphanius of Pavia, Vita sancti Epiphanii, Vita Epiphanii, Vita sancti Epifanii, Vita Epifanii
Origin: Milan (Italy north of Rome with Corsica and Sardinia)
Denomination: Catholic/Nicene/Chalcedonian

Magnus Felix Ennodius (477/4 - 521) was a Roman noble from the senatorial family, born in Gaul and raised in Northern Italy. He became a cleric in Pavia and was ordained by the bishop of this city, Epiphanius. Later he joined the clergy of Milan where he was promoted to the diaconate around the year 502. In the year 515 (at latest) he was elevated to the episcopal see of Pavia, which he held until his death in 521. Ennodius was involved in many ecclesiastical and political affaires of his time, he also gained the reputation of a good rhetorician and teacher. He maintained the good relations with the Ostrogothic King Theodoric - in 507 he even composed a panegyric for the king. During his episcopacy, he was also sent as an envoy to Constantinople in order to negotiate the ending of the schism between Rome and Constantinople (the Acacian schism). For the general information on Ennodius see PCBE, Italie, v. 1, Magnus Felix Ennodius; Kennel 2000.

Epiphanius, bishop of Pavia whom Ennodius personally knew and who introduced him into the clergy, died in 496. Ennodius composed the Life of Epiphanius shortly after his death, after 501 or 502 (he mentions that Bishop Rusticus of Lyon is already dead) and before 504 (the year of Theoderic`s campaign against the Gepids in Pannonia; in the Life Ennodius says that Theodoric had not yet begun any war since his victory over Odoacer). The Life is a main source for the life and activity of Epiphanius.

Edition:

Edition:

F. Vogel ed., Magni Felicis Ennodii opera, Monumenta Germaniae Historica. Auctores Antiquissimi 7, Berlin 1885, 84–109

Translation:

G.M. Cook trans., The life of saint Epiphanius by Ennodius. A translation with an introduction and commentary, Washington D.C. 1942

Bibliography:

S.A.H. Kennell, Magnus Felix Ennodius: a Gentleman of the Church, Ann Arbor 2000.

Categories:

Former ecclesiastical career - Deacon

Described by a title - Presbyter/πρεσβύτερος

Impediments or requisits for the office - Age

Ecclesiastical administration - Election of Church authorities

Relation with - Bishop/Monastic superior

Please quote this record referring to its author, database name, number, and, if possible, stable URL: M. Szada, Presbyters in the Late Antique West, ER1499, http://www.presbytersproject.ihuw.pl/index.php?id=6&SourceID=1499