|
Such were the letters of Innocent from which the opinion which he
entertained of John may readily be inferred. About the same period
some hailstones of extraordinary magnitude fell at Constantinople and
in the suburbs of the city. Four days afterwards, the wife of the
emperor died. These occurrences were by many regarded as indications
of Divine wrath on account of the persecution that had been carried on
against John. For Cyrinus, bishop of Chalcedon, one of his
principal calumniators, had long previously terminated his life in the
midst of great bodily agony, arising from the accident that had
occurred to his foot, and the consequent necessary amputation of the
leg by the physicians. Arsacius, too, died after he had presided but
a very short period over the church of Constantinople. Many
candidates were proposed as his successor; and four months after his
decease, Atticus, a presbyter, of the clergy of Constantinople,
and one of the enemies of John, was ordained. He was a native of
Sebaste in Armenia. He had been instructed from his youth in the
principles of monastic philosophy by monks of the Macedonian heresy.
These monks, who then enjoyed a very high reputation at Sebaste for
philosophy, were of the discipline of Eustathius, to whom allusion
has been already made as bishop there, and a leader of the best monks.
When Atticus attained the age of manhood, he embraced the tenets of
the Catholic Church. He possessed more by nature than by learning,
and became a participant in affairs, and was as skillful in carrying on
intrigues as in evading the machinations of others. He was of a very
engaging disposition, and was beloved by many. The discourses which
he delivered in the church did not rise above mediocrity; and although
not totally devoid of erudition, they were not accounted by his
auditors of sufficient value to be preserved in writing. Being
intent, if an opportunity offered itself anywhere, he exercised
himself in the most approved Greek authors; but lest, in conversation
about these writers, he might appear unlettered, he frequently
concealed what he did know. It is said that he manifested much zeal in
behalf of those who entertained the same sentiments as himself, and
that he rendered himself formidable to the heterodox. When he wished
he could easily throw them into alarm; but he at once transformed
himself and would appear meek. Such is the information which those who
knew the man have furnished.
John acquired great celebrity even in his exile. He possessed ample
pecuniary resources, and being besides liberally supplied with money by
Olympias, the deaconess, and others, he purchased the liberty of
many captives from the Isaurian robbers, and restored them to their
families. He also administered to the necessities of many who were in
want; and by his kind words comforted those who did not stand in need
of money. Hence he was exceedingly beloved not only in Armenia,
where he dwelt, but by all the people of the neighboring countries,
and the inhabitants of Antioch and of the other parts of Syria, and
of Cilicia, who frequently sought his society.
|
|