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MANY, however, making no account of these events yielded to their
own depravity; for not only did the Jews continue in unbelief after
this miracle, but others also who love to follow them were shown to
hold views similar to theirs. Among these was Sabbatius, of whom
mention has before been made; who not being content with the dignity of
presbyter to which he had attained, but aiming at a bishopric from the
beginning, separated himself from the church of the Novatians, making
a pretext of observing the Jewish Passover. Holding therefore
schismatic assemblies apart from his own bishop Sisinnius, in a place
named Xerolophus, where the forum of Arcadius now is, he ventured on
the performance of an act deserving the severest punishments. Reading
one day at one of these meetings that passage in the Gospel where it is
said, 'Now it was the Feast of the Jews called the Passover,' he
added what was never written nor heard of before: 'Cursed be he that
celebrates the Passover out of the days of unleavened bread.' When
these words were reported among the people, the more simple of the
Novatian laity, deceived by this artifice, flocked to him. But his
fraudulent fabrication was of no avail to him; for his forgery issued
in most disastrous consequences. For shortly afterwards he kept this
feast in anticipation of the Christian Easter; and many according to
their custom flocked to him. While they were passing the night in the
accustomed vigils, a panic as if caused by evil spirits fell upon
them, as if Sisin-nius their bishop were coming with a multitude of
persons to attack them. From the perturbation that might be expected
in such a case, and their being shut up at night in a confined place,
they trod upon one another, insomuch that above seventy of them were
crushed to death. On this account many deserted Sabbatius: some
however, holding his ignorant prejudice, remained with him. In what
way Sabbatius, by a violation of his oath, afterwards managed to get
himself ordained a bishop, we shall relate hereafter.
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