|
But as on account of his great age Narcissus was no longer able to
perform his official duties, the Providence of God called to the
office with him, by a revelation given him in a night vision, the
above-mentioned Alexander, who was then bishop of another parish.
Thereupon, as by Divine direction, he journeyed from the land of
Cappadocia, where he first held the episcopate, to Jerusalem, in
consequence of a vow and for the sake of information in regard to its
places. They received, him there with great cordiality, and would
not permit him to return, because of another revelation seen by them at
night, which uttered the clearest message to the most zealous among
them. For it made known that if they would go outside the gates, they
would receive the bishop foreordained for them by God. And having
done this, with the unanimous consent of the bishops of the neighboring
churches, they constrained him to remain. Alexander, himself, in
private letters to the Antinoites, which are still preserved among
us, mentions the joint episcopate of NarciSsus and himself, writing
in these words at the end of the epistle:
"Narcissus salutes you, who held the episcopate here before me, and
is now associated with me in prayers, being one hundred and sixteen
years of age; and he exhorts you, as I do, to be of one mind."
These things took place in this manner. But, on the death of
Serapion, Asclepiades, who had been himself distinguished among the
confessors r during the persecution, succeeded to the episcopate of the
church at Antioch. Alexander alludes to his appointment, writing
thus to the church at Antioch:
"Alexander, a servant and prisoner of Jesus Christ, to the blessed
church of Antioch, greeting in the Lord. The Lord hath made my
bonds during the time of my imprisonment light and easy, since I
learned that, by the Divine Providence, Asclepiades, who in regard
to the true faith is eminently qualified, has undertaken the bishopric
of your holy church at Antioch."
He indicates that he sent this epistle by
Clement, writing toward its close as follows:
"My honored brethren, have sent this letter to you by Clement, the
blessed presbyter, a man virtuous and approved, whom ye yourselves
also know and will recognize. Being here, in the providence and
oversight of the Master, he has strengthened and built up the Church
of the Lord."
|
|