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About this time, the son of the empress was attacked by a dangerous
illness, and the mother, apprehensive of consequences, sent to
implore Epiphanius to pray for him. Epiphanius returned for answer,
that the sick one would live, provided that she would avoid all
intercourse with the heretic Dioscorus and his companions. To this
message the empress replied as follows: "If it be the will of God to
take my son, His will be done. The Lord who gave me my child, can
take him back again. You have not power to raise the dead, otherwise
your archdeacon would not have died." She alluded to Chrispion, the
archdeacon, who had died a short time previously. He was brother to
Fuscon and Salamanus, monks whom I had occasion to mention when
detailing the history of events under the reign of Valens; he had been
companion of Epiphanius, and had been appointed his archdeacon.
Ammonius and his companions went to Epiphanius, at the permission of
the empress. Epiphanius inquired who they were, and Ammonius
replied, "We are, O father, the Long Brothers; we come
respectfully to know whether you have read any of our works or those of
our disciples?" On Epiphanius replying that he had not seen them,
he continued, "How is it, then, that you consider us to be
heretics, when you have no proof as to what sentiments we may hold?"
Epiphanius said that he had formed his judgment by the reports he had
heard on the subject; and Ammonius replied, "We have pursued a very
different line of conduct from yours. We have conversed with your
disciples, and read your works frequently, and among others, that
entitled 'The Anchored.' When we have met with persons who have
ridiculed your opinions, and asserted that your writings are replete
with heresy, we have contended for you, and defended you as our
father. Ought you then to condemn the absent upon mere report, and of
whom you know nothing with assured certitude, or return such an
exchange to those who have spoken well of you?" Epiphanius was
measurably convinced, and dismissed them. Soon after he embarked for
Cyprus, either because he recognized the futility of his journey to
Constantinople, or because, as there is reason to believe, God had
revealed to him his approaching death; for he died while on his voyage
back to Cyprus. It is reported that he said to the bishops who had
accompanied him to the place of embarkation, "I leave you the city,
the palace, and the stage, for I shall shortly depart." I have
been informed by several persons that John predicted that Epiphanius
would die at sea, and that this latter predicted the deposition of
John. For it appears that when the dispute between them was at its
height, Epiphanius said to John, "I hope you will not die a
bishop," and that John replied, "I hope you will never return to
your bishopric."
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