Letter 7

 

2. Many people turn away from any kind of secular service, and they try to get immediately, by a leap, to the highest place in the religion, which should be achieved only gradually by those who are in the ecclesiastical pay. In many cases we cannot invalidate what was already done, so those who have been already ordained should remain in that grade which they achieved by a leap. Similarly, the Apostle orders that a neophyte should not arrive at the priesthood at once [1 Tim 3:6], and the same rule is stated by the canons. We add it by our decision that from this moment on whoever thinks that he should arrive at the highest priesthood, or the grade of presbyter, or deacon, let him know that he will lose his grade and the ordination he obtained will be invalid. Let the fear stave them away from too hasty an ordination, although careful examination should have already done so. Please bring this letter of ours to the notice of all, because not only you should be aware of what is prohibited to everyone.

 

(trans. S. Adamiak)