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THE following details are also the results of inquiry. Acacius was
conspicuous among the bishops; he had already previously administered
the episcopate of Beroea in Syria. There are of course many actions
of his, which are worthy of record. He was from his youth brought up
to the profession of ascetic monasticism, and was rigid in observing
all the regulations of this mode of life. When he was raised to the
bishopric, he gave this evidence of greatest virtue, in that he kept
the episcopal residence open at all hours of the day, so that the
citizens and strangers were always free to visit him, even when he was
at meals or at repose. This course of conduct is, l in my opinion,
very admirable; for either he was living in such a way as to be always
sure of himself, or he devised this as a means of preparation against
the evil in one's nature, so that in expecting to be caught by the
sudden entrance of persons, it would be necessary for him to be on
continuous guard, not to err in his duties, but rather to be engaged
in covenanted acts.
Zeno and Ajax, two celebrated brothers, flourished about the same
period. They devoted themselves to a life of philosophy, but did not
fix their abode as hermits in the desert, but at Gaza, a maritime
city, which was also called Majuma. They both defended the truth of
their religion with greatest fidelity, and confessed God with
courage, so that they were frequently subjected to very cruel and harsh
treatment by the pagans. It is said that Ajax married a very lovely
woman, and after he had known her thrice in all that time, had three
sons; and that subsequently he held no further intercourse with her,
but persevered in the exercises of monasticism. He brought up two of
his sons to the divine life and celibacy, and the third he permitted to
marry. He governed the church of Botolium with propriety and
distinction.
Zeno, who had from his youth renounced the world and marriage,
persevered in steadfast adherence to the service of God. It is said,
and I myself am witness of the truth of the assertion, that when he
was bishop of the church in Majuma, he was never absent at morning or
evening hymns, or any other worship of God, unless attacked by some
malady; and yet he was at this period an old man, being nearly a
hundred years of age. He continued his course of life in the monastic
philosophy, but, by pursuing his trade of weaving linen, continued to
earn the means of supplying his own wants and of providing for others.
He never deviated from this course of conduct till the close of his
life, although he exceeded all the other priests of that province in
age; and although he presided over the people and property of the
largest church.
I have mentioned these as examples of those who served as priests at
this period. It would be a task to enumerate all where the main part
of them were good, and God bore testimony to their lives by readily
hearing their prayers and by working many miracles.
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