Letter 131

Isidore of PelusiumA priest|isidore pelusium
From: Isidore of Pelusium, monk at Pelusium
To: Paul the Presbyter
Date: ~410 AD
Context: Isidore defines what genuine priestly wealth, pleasure, and joy look like — and what disqualifies a man from the office.

For the ordained minister: wealth is the beauty of virtue; pleasure is self-control; luxury is contentment with little; and joy is the moral growth of his flock.

If anyone pursues the opposite of all this while sheltering behind the title of the priesthood — that man is in truth unholy, and unworthy of the authority he holds.

Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.