Letter 76
To Theophilus
The Olbiates, who are a village community, were obliged to elect a
bishop to replace the blessed father Athamas, who died after passing his long life in the
priesthood. They called me in to take part in their deliberations. I complimented the
people on having to choose between many candidates who were so entirely deserving, but I
particularly complimented Antonius on account of his goodness, for he was thought nobler
even than the noble, and it is upon him that everybody's choice is fixed. The choice of
the multitude has had the full assent of two venerable bishops, with whom Antonius had
been brought up, and by one of whom he had been ordained presbyter. I was not entirely
without knowledge of Antonius myself, and as much as I knew of his deeds and words, so
much I praised him, and, adding what I had heard to the good things I knew, I gave my vote
to the man.
It would accord with my own wish to receive him into the honourable
preisthood as a colleague. One thing only is needed, but the most important thing of all,
namely your sacred hand. The Olbiates have need of this, and I have your prayers.