the reading of my readers. For I judged that if there existed excellence in merits, talent, memory, and intellect, it would be sufficient for those desiring to know the merits of an extraordinary man to be aware of them. Concerning which, I think I should be maligned by no one; for almost all the most learned and holiest historiographers lacked these in most books when they were compiling them, if anyone should examine them diligently. May the omnipotent and merciful Lord cause us to triumph always over all our enemies, by the merits and prayers of the supreme priest, John, and of all the saints.
The conclusion of Leonine’s work runs thus: A These few things concerning your great virtues, holy John, for the edification of your neighbors and for your praise to be read, I, the lowest of all Christians, although in a rustic manner, yet with much labor as you know, overcome by my pious love for you, have edited. Deign kindly to accept these for the many things I have done, and impute them as if they were composed in eloquent speech; and cause them to profit me, an unworthy man, forever, along with all the readers and hearers of these things. And also, with pious love, sharpening [your prayers] and asking of me that, taking this booklet of your glorious action and passion from the Greek, I might compose it in the Latin tongue; and may those who have spent their own resources out of faith and love for you to complete this work, and those collaborating with me in this work, be delivered by you from all harm, and deserve to be enriched with the greatest rewards in this world by God the Father, and in the future.
IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD MXIII.
LEO GRAMMATICUS. You have his *Chronographia* among the *Scriptores post Theophanem*, Patrologia vol. CIX.
IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD MXIII.
EPISTLE OF JOANNES PRESBYTER TO LEO GRAMMATICUS AND ARCHBISHOP OF CALABRIA
To the teacher of teachers and my spiritual Father, my lord Leo the Grammarian and Archbishop of Calabria, John the presbyter, an unworthy servant of Jesus Christ.
A certain cleric has married a woman, master, and before he lives with her, he wishes to be ordained a presbyter, expecting that after he has been ordained he will...