|
IN the first place, then, Theophilus attempted to investigate the
case, of the ordination of Heraclides, that thereby he might if
possible find occasion of again deposing John. Heraclides was not
present at this scrutiny. He was nevertheless judged in his absence,
on the charge of having unjustly beaten some persons, and afterwards
dragged them in chains through the midst of the city of Ephesus. As
John and his adherents remonstrated against the injustice of passing
sentence upon an absent person, the Alexandrians contended that they
ought to hear the accusers of Heraclides, although he was not
present. A sharp contest therefore ensued between the Alexandrians
and the Constantinopolitans, and a riot arose whereby many persons
were wounded, and some were killed. Theophilus, seeing what was
done, fled to Alexandria without ceremony; and the other bishops,
except the few who supported John, followed his example, and returned
to their respective sees. After these transactions, Theophilus was
degraded, in every one's estimation: but the odium attached to him
was exceedingly increased by the shameless way in which he continued to
read Origen's works. And when he was asked why he thus countenanced
what he had publicly condemned, he replied, 'Origen's books are
like a meadow enameled with flowers of every kind. If, therefore, I
chance to find a beautiful one among them, I cull it: but whatever
appears to me to be thorny, I step over, as that which would
prick.' But Theophilus gave this answer without reflecting on the
saying of the wise Solomon, that 'the words of the wise are as
goads'; and those who are pricked by the precepts they contain, ought
not to kick against them. For these reasons then Theophilus was held
in contempt by all men. Dioscorus bishop of Hermopolis, one of those
termed 'the Tall Monks,' died a short time after the flight of
Theophilus, and was honored with a magnificent funeral, being
interred in the church at 'The Oak,' where the Synod was convened
on John's account. John meanwhile was sedulously employed in
preaching. He ordained Serapion bishop of Heraclea in Thrace, on
whose account the odium against himself had been raised. Not long
after the following events occurred.
|
|