Abstract

Abstract Epistula de Wulfila episcopo by Auxentius of Durostorum reported that Ulfila became a bishop when he was thirty years old. This report was dramatized in order to emphasize Ulfila’s sanctity. This study will examine the symbolic meaning of thirty years old, and explain how it is a deep-rooted and continual idea in the arrangement of clerical offices. As a result, I contend that the symbolism of “thirty years old” was the appropriate age for someone to lead the community. This idea came from Numbers 4:2–3 and could be also found in the Judaic tradition. One could argue that this idea on spiritual leadership prevailed, was accepted and was later the basis of the clerical offices.

Highlights

  • If we investigated a bishop’s Curriculum Vitae in late antiquity, we might be surprised to find that bishops came from a wider variety of backgrounds

  • We conclude that Auxentius’ testimony could be utilized as evidence that the proposal for the arrangement of clerical offices was influenced by the perceived need for an internal qualification: that the appropriate age to become a bishop was thirty years old

  • This age had a special meaning related to the spiritual maturity needed in order to guide and rule the holy community, an idea that was derived from Numbers 4:2–3

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Summary

Introduction

If we investigated a bishop’s Curriculum Vitae in late antiquity, we might be surprised to find that bishops came from a wider variety of backgrounds. Tone linen weaver.[1] This fact leads us to presume that the assignment of the clerical offices should consider candidates’ various ages, former offices, characters, etc Scholars often discussed both the arrangement of clerical offices into a hierarchy and the promotion from one order to another. The Church leadership ruled that promotion to the bishopric required certain qualifications Tone paper will develop Gryson’s studies and argue for the importance of Auxentius’ testimony which was recorded prior to other ancient sources such as letters of the Roman bishops Siricius and Innocent I. The second part of this paper examines the roots of Auxentius’ perspective and uncover the influence of Old Testament ideas about aging on the promotion of a churchman to the position of bishop

The Testimony of Epistula de Wulfila episcopo
The Roots of the Idea of Aging in The Old Testament
Conclusion

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