(Gregory succeeded at the end of 382 in convincing the Metropolitan and his fellow provincial bishops of his sincerity in wanting to retire, and so they began to look for a successor. Gregory wanted his cousin, the Chorepiscopus Eulalius, to be appointed, but the bishops felt some resentment at what they perceived as his attempt to control their decision, and they refused to let him participate in the election. Their reasoning was that he either had never been, or had at any rate ceased to be, one of the bishops of the province. He objected, but when he found he could not persuade them, he withdrew his claim to a vote and wrote to Theodore as follows:)
(S. Gregory succeeded at the end of a.d. 382 in convincing the Metropolitan and his Comprovincials of his sincerity in desiring to retire; and so they began to cast about for a Successor. Gregory desired that his cousin the Chorepiscopus Eulalius should be nominated, but the Bishops felt some jealousy at what they took to be an attempt on his part to dictate to them, and refused to allow him to take any part in the election, on the ground that he either never had been, or at any rate had ceased to be one of the Bishops of the Province. He protested, but finding that he could not convince them he withdrew his claim to a vote and wrote to Theodore, as follows:–)
Our spiritual matters have come to an end: I will not bother you anymore. Get together, take your precautions, plot against us, let our enemies win, let the canons be carefully observed, starting with us, the most ignorant of people. There is nothing wrong with being precise—just don't let the obligations of friendship be blocked. The children of my very honored son Nicobulus have come to the city to learn shorthand. Please be kind enough to look upon them with a fatherly and caring eye (for the canons do not forbid this), but especially make sure they live near the Church. For I want them to be shaped in character toward virtue through constant contact with Your Perfectness.
Our spiritual affairs have reached their limit: I will not trouble you any further. Join together: take your precautions: take counsel against us: let our enemies have the victory: let the canons be accurately observed, beginning with us, the most ignorant of men. There is no ill-will in accuracy; only do not let the rights of friendship be impeded. The children of my very honoured son Nicobulus have come to the city to learn shorthand. Be kind enough to look upon them with a fatherly and kindly eye (for the canons do not forbid this), but especially take care that they live near the Church. For I desire that they should be moulded in character to virtue by continual association with Your Perfectness.