|
JOHN likewise incurred the enmity of the empress, through the
machinations of Severian, bishop of Gabali in Syria. Severian and
Antiochus, bishop of Ptolemais, a city in Phoenicia, were both
learned men, and well qualified to teach in the churches. Antiochus
had so fine a voice and delivery that, by some persons, he was
surnamed Chrysostom. Severian, on the other hand, had the harshness
of the Syrians in his speech; but, in point of knowledge and the
evidences of the Scriptures, he was considered superior to
Antiochus. It appears that Antiochus was the first to visit
Constantinople; he gained great applause by his discourses, amassed
some property, and then returned to his own city. Severian followed
his example, and went to Constantinople. He formed an intimacy with
John, spoke frequently in the churches, and was admired. He was in
honor, and became well known to many of those in power, and to the
emperor and empress. When John went to Asia, he commended the
Church to his care; for he was so far deceived by the adulation of
Severian as to imagine him to be his zealous friend. Severian,
however, thought only of gratifying his auditors, and of pleasing the
people by his discourses. When John was apprised of this, he was
filled with jealousy; and his resentment was further kindled, it is
said, by the representations of Serapion. After the return of John
from Asia, Serapion happened to see Severian passing; but, instead
of rising to salute him, he kept his seat, in order to show his utter
contempt for the man. Severian was offended by this manifestation of
disrespect, and exclaimed, "If Serapion die a clergyman, then
Christ was not incarnate." Serapion reported these words; and
John, in consequence, expelled Severian from the city as insolent,
and as a blaspheme against God; for witnesses were brought forward to
attest that the above words had been really uttered by him. Some of
the friends of Serapion even went so far as to suppress part of the
speech of Severian, and to affirm that he had declared that Christ
was not incarnate. John also rebuked Severian, by asking whether,
"If Serapion should not die among the clergy, it would follow that
Christ had not been incarnate?" As Soon as the wife of the emperor
was informed by the friends of Severian of what had occurred, she
immediately sent for him from Chalcedon. John, notwithstanding all
her remonstrances, positively refused to hold any intercourse with
him, until the empress placed her son Theodosius on his knees in the
church named after the apostles; then she entreated him persistently,
and frequently adjured him, until John yielded a reluctant consent to
receive Severian into friendship. Such are the accounts which I have
received of these transactions.
|
|