[In What Things a Bishop is to Be Examined Before He is Ordained.]
III. Let examination also be made whether he be unblameable as to the concerns of this life; for it is written: “Search diligently for all the faults of him who is to be ordained for the priesthood.” 17 Lev. xxi. 17, etc.
[Sec. II.—On the Character and Teaching of the Bishop.]
On which account let him also be void of anger; for Wisdom says: “Anger destroys even the prudent.” 18 1 Cor. xi. 3. 1 Cor. xi. 3. Let him also be merciful, of a generous and loving temper; for our Lord says: “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye love one another.” 19 “To whom be glory,” V. mss. “To whom be glory,” V. mss. Let him be also ready to give, a lover of the widow and the stranger; ready to serve, and minister, and attend; resolute in his duty; and let him know who is the most worthy of his assistance.
[3] Δοκιμαζέσθω οὖν, εἰ ἄμωμός ἐστιν περὶ τὰς βιωτικὰς χρείας: γέγραπται γάρ: «Μωμοσκοπεῖσθε τὸν μέλλοντα εἰς ἱερωσύνην προχειρίζεσθαι.» Ὑπαρχέτω οὖν καὶ ἀόργητος, ὅτι λέγει ἡ Σοφία: «Ὀργὴ καὶ φρονίμους ἀπόλλυσιν.» Ἔστω δὲ εὔσπλαγχνος, ἀβάναυσος, ἀγαπητικός, ὅτι λέγει Κύριος: «Ἐν τούτῳ γνώσονται πάντες, ὅτι ἐμοὶ μαθηταί ἐστε, ἐὰν ἀγαπᾶτε ἀλλήλους.»