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"But know now, my brethren, that all the churches throughout the
East and beyond, which formerly were divided, have become united.
And all the bishops everywhere are of one mind, and rejoice greatly in
the peace which has come beyond expectation. Thus Demetrianus in
Antioch, Theoctistus in Caesarea, Mazabanes in Aelia, Marinus
in Tyre , Heliodorus in Laodicea , Helenus in Tarsus, and all
the churches of Cilicia, Firmilianus, and all Cappadocia. I have
named only the more illustrious bishops, that I may not make my
epistle too long and my words too burdensome. And all Syria, and
Arabia to which you send help when needed, and whither you have just
written, Mesopotamia, Pontus, Bithynia, and in short all
everywhere are rejoicing and glorifying God for the unanimity and
brotherly love." Thus far Dionysius.
But Stephen, having filled his office two years, was succeeded by
Xystus. Dionysius wrote him a second epistle on baptism, in which he
shows him at the same time the opinion and judgment of Stephen and the
other bishops, and speaks in this manner of Stephen: "He therefore
had written previously concerning Helenus and Firmilianus, and all
those in Cilicia and Cappadocia and Galatia and the neighboring
nations, saying that he would not commune with them for this same
cause; namely, that they re-baptized heretics. But consider the
importance of the matter. For truly in the largest synods of the
bishops, as I learn, decrees have been passed on this subject, that
those coming over from heresies should be instructed, and then should
be washed and cleansed from the filth of the old and impure leaven.
And I wrote entreating him concerning all these things." Further on
he says:
"I wrote also, at first in few words, recently in many, to our
beloved fellow-presbyters, Dionysius and Philemon, who formerly had
held the same opinion as Stephen, and had written to me on the same
matters." So much in regard to the above-mentioned controversy.
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