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Nectarius made himself acquainted with the routine of sacerdotal
ceremonies under the instruction of Cyriacus, bishop of Adana, whom
he had requested Diodorus, bishop of Tarsus, to leave with him for a
short period. Nectarius also retained several other Cilicians with
him, amongst whom was Martyrius, his physician, who had been a
witness of the irregularities of his youth. Nectarius was desirous of
ordaining him deacon; but Martyrius refused the honor under the plea
of his own unworthiness of such a divine service, and called upon
Nectarius himself to witness as to the course of his past life. To
this Nectarius replied as follows: "Although I am now a priest, do
you not know that my past career was a more guilty one than yours,
inasmuch as you were but an instrument in my numerous profligacies?"
"But you, O blessed one," replied Martyrius, "were cleansed by
baptism, and were then accounted worthy of the priesthood. Both these
ordinances are appointed by the Divine law for purification from sin,
and it seems to me that you now differ in no respect from a new-born
infant; but I long ago received holy baptism, and have since
continued in the same abusive course." It was under this plea that he
excused himself from receiving ordination; and I commend the man for
his refusal, and therefore would give him a part in my history.
The Emperor Theodosius, on being informed of various events
connected with Paul, formerly bishop of Constantinople, caused his
body to be removed to the church erected by Macedonius, his enemy,
and buried there. This temple is a spacious and most distinguished
edifice, and is still named after Paul. Hence many persons who are
ignorant of the facts of the case, particularly women and the mass of
the people, imagine that Paul, the apostle, is interred therein.
The remains of Meletius were at the same time conveyed to Antioch,
and deposited near the tomb of Babylas the martyr. It is said that
through every public way, by the command of the emperor, the relics
were received within the walls in every city, contrary to Roman
custom, and were honored with singing of psalms antiphonally in such
places, until they were transferred to Antioch.
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