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JOHN was not offended because Epiphanius, contrary to the
ecclesiastical canon, had made an ordination in his church; but
invited him to remain with him at the episcopal palace. He, however,
replied that he would neither stay nor pray with him, unless he would
expel Dioscorus and his brethren from the city, and with his own hand
subscribe the condemnation of Origen's books. Now as John deferred
the performance of these things, saying that nothing ought to be done
rashly before investigation by a general council, John's adversaries
led Epiphanius to adopt another course. For they contrived it so that
as a meeting was in the church named The Apostles, Epiphanius came
forth and before all the people condemned the books of Origen,
excommunicated Dioscorus with his followers, and charged John with
countenancing them. These things were reported to John; whereupon on
the following day he sent the appended message to Epiphanius just as he
entered the church:
'You do many things contrary to the canons, Epiphanius. In the
first place you have made an ordination in the churches under my
jurisdiction: then without my appointment, you have on your own
authority officiated in them. Moreover, when heretofore I invited
you hither, you refused to come, and now you take that liberty
yourself. Beware therefore, lest a tumult being excited among the
people, you yourself should also incur danger therefrom.'
Epiphanius becoming alarmed on hearing these admonitions, left the
church; and after accusing John of many things, he set out on his
return to Cyprus. Some say that when he was about to depart, he said
to John, 'I hope that you will not die a bishop': to which John
replied, 'Expect not to arrive at your own country.' I cannot be
sure that those who reported these things to me spoke the truth; but
nevertheless the event was in the case of both as prophesied above.
For Epiphanius did not reach Cyprus, having died on board the ship
during his voyage; and John a short time afterwards was driven from
his see, as we shall show in proceeding.
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