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IT will not be out of place here, I conceive, to give some account
of Sisinnius. He was, as I have often said, a remarkably eloquent
man, and well-instructed in philosophy. But he had particularly
cultivated logic, and was profoundly skilled in the interpretation of
the holy Scriptures; insomuch that the heretic Eunomius often shrank
from the acumen which his reasoning displayed. As regards his diet he
was not simple; for although he practised the strictest moderation,
yet his table was always sumptuously furnished. He was also accustomed
to indulge himself by wearing white garments, and bathing twice a day
in the public baths. And when some one asked him 'why he, a bishop,
bathed himself twice a day?' he replied, 'Because it is
inconvenient to bathe thrice.' Going one day from courtesy to visit
the bishop Arsacius, he was asked by one of the friends of that
bishop, 'why he wore a garment so unsuitable for a bishop? and where
it was written that an ecclesiastic should be clothed in white?' 'Do
you tell me first,' said he, 'where it is written that a bishop
should wear black?' When he that made the inquiry knew not what to
reply to this counter-question: 'You cannot show,' rejoined
Sisinnius, 'that a priest should be clothed in black. But Solomon
is my authority, whose exhortation is, "Let thy garments be
white." And our Saviour in the Gospels appears clothed in white
raiment: moreover he showed Moses and Elias to the apostles, clad in
white garments.' His prompt reply to these and other questions called
forth the admiration of those present. Again when Leontius bishop of
Ancyra in Galatia Minor, who had taken away a church from the
Novatians, was on a visit to Constantinople, Sisinnius went to
him, and begged him to restore the church. But he received him
rudely, saying, 'Ye Novatians ought not to have churches; for ye
take away repentance, and shut out Divine mercy.' As Leontius gave
utterance to these and many other such revilings against the
Novatians, Sisinnius replied: 'No one repents more heartily than
I do.' And when Leontius asked him 'Why do you repent?' 'That
I came to see you,' said he. On one occasion John the bishop
having a contest with him, said, 'The city cannot have two
bishops.' 'Nor has it,' said Sisinnius. John being irritated at
this response, said, 'You see you pretend that you alone are the
bishop.' 'I do not say that,' rejoined Sisinnius; 'but that I
am not bishop in your estimation only, who am such to others.' John
being still more chafed at this reply, said, 'I will stop your
preaching; for you are a heretic.' To which Sisinnius
good-humoredly replied,' I will give you a reward, if you will
relieve me from so arduous a duty.' John being softened a little by
this answer, said, 'I will not make you cease to preach, if you
find speaking so troublesome.' So facetious was Sisinnius, and so
ready at repartee: but it would be tedious to dwell further on his
witticisms. Wherefore by means of a few specimens we have illustrated
what sort of a person he was, deeming these as sufficient. I will
merely add that he was celebrated for erudition, and on account of it
all the bishops who succeeded him loved and honored him; and not only
they but all the leading members of the senate also esteemed and admired
him. He is the author of many works: but they are characterized by
too great an affectation of elegance of diction, and a lavish
intermingling of poetic expressions. On which account he was more
admired as a speaker than as a writer; for there was dignity in his
countenance and voice, as well as in his form and aspect, and every
movement of his person was graceful. On account of these features he
was loved by all the sects, and he was in especial favor with Atticus
the bishop. But I must conclude this brief notice of Sisinnius.
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