Ad episcopos qui sunt in Libya et Pentapoli

Of the same author, to the bishops in Libya and Pentapolis. [Preface] It is necessary to take care of everything useful and necessary for the edification of the people, and which also contributes to the reputation of the holy churches; for it is written, "You make the sons of Israel reverent." Therefore, fathers of monasteries in the province of the Thebaid, reverent men of no mean manner of life, having come to Alexandria and being asked by me about the condition of the monasteries there, taught that many are scandalized for the following reason. (a) Concerning not ordaining without examination. Some who have recently married and, as it were, come down from the bridal chambers themselves, seize some of the most God-loving bishops, and with no one perhaps reporting their circumstances, they are ordained as clerics, or at least as presbyters. (b) Concerning those who leave monasteries and are ordained. Others, being cast out of the monasteries themselves as disorderly, again insinuate themselves into ordinations, and having become clerics, they enter even into the very monasteries from which they have been expelled, and wish to offer and to fulfill all that is customary for clerics; and they do these things, even as some who know them decline the assemblies and refuse to commune when those men are officiating. (c) Concerning how and when one ought to ordain and what one ought to examine. Since, therefore, everything must be done by us for the edification, as I said, of the people, let your piety attend to these matters.

and if someone is about to be ordained a cleric, his life should be examined, and whether he has a wife or not, and how or when he married, and if he has abstained; and if he is not one of those who have been expelled either by another most reverend bishop or from monasteries; and then let him ordain him, when he is found blameless. For in this way we will keep both our own conscience clear and the sacred and venerable liturgy blameless. V. Concerning catechumens and penitents, if they are approaching the end. But if some who have been subjected to excommunication on account of offenses should suffer separation, and then are about to die, being catechumens, let them be baptized, and let them not depart from human life without a share of grace, that is, without communion; for this too seems to be in keeping with the canons of the Church. Greet the brotherhood among you; those with us greet you in the Lord.