Ecclesiastical History
The emperor, on the one hand, was strengthened by the divine and wondrous vision. And when night came, in his sleep he sees Christ telling him to cons
and living more fearlessly, he gathered the church and once, when the presbyters under him and the rest of the clergy were present, he theologized ra
is of things made and created but Word and Wisdom by an abuse of terms, since He was Himself made by God's own Word and by the Wisdom which is in God
at the perdition of these men, and especially because they, who had once themselves learned the things of the Church, have now deserted. But we are no
The Arian question. And Meletius with his followers, took part with Arius, forming a faction with him against the bishop. And as many as found the doc
is believed but that I may remind your understanding with a small example, I will speak. You know indeed the philosophers themselves, how they all ag
to the better. 1.8 Concerning the Synod held in Nicaea of Bithynia, and concerning the faith set forth there. Such then were the wonderful and wisdom-
Against these Athanasius contended nobly, a deacon of the church of the Alexandrians and Alexander the bishop held him in great honor for which reas
published by laymen and those knowing nothing and the one whom he calls a wise and truthful witness, his words he willingly overlooks. For Eusebius s
to the presbytery, and in the episcopate itself we both believed and taught, so also now believing, we offer our faith to you. And it is this: We bel
to be of his substance. Therefore we ourselves also agree with this understanding, not refusing the term homoousios, having the goal of peace before
saying of God from non-existing things, and there was a time when He was not, and saying the Son of God is susceptible to vice and virtue by his o
makes clear in the letter of the synod, that they not only anathematized Arius and those of like opinion with him, but also the expressions of his doc
he calls the opinion of those gathered there, and does not disbelieve that the unanimity of so many and so great bishops came about by the Holy Spirit
it is most absurd for them to boast that we were not able to keep these things without their teaching. And what will they be able to think aright, who
at the present time, as the unholy will and tyranny persecutes the servants of God the Savior, I have believed and have accurately persuaded myself, t
may the souls of us all become more zealous for the holy law with prudence and like-minded eagerness. Since I think this is clear to all, I especially
but to await it from God, who is able and has authority to forgive sins. When Acesius said this, the emperor replied, Place a ladder, O Acesius, and
And not long after she departed this life. After a time the one who made the deposit came and not finding the virgin, he engages with her father, now
Vicentius, presbyters Alexander of Egypt Eustathius of great Antioch Macarius of Jerusalem Harpocration of Cynon ” and of the rest whose full nam
a commemoration of Bishop Peter was being celebrated. Then indeed Alexander, the bishop of Alexandria, passing by, saw the game being played and havi
he prepared, believing that the woman would be healed by touching the precious cross and he was not disappointed in his hope for when the two crosse
he ordered to be built in Heliopolis of Phoenicia, for such a reason: the Heliopolitans, what kind of lawgiver they had from the beginning I cannot sa
having survived their youth, they bring [them] as a gift to the king of the Indians. And he, pleased with the appearance of the young men, appointed o
Immediately the sick woman was healed and gave thanks to the woman. But she said, The work is not mine, but Christ's, who is the Son of God, who made
An abundance of good things occurred at the same time during the reign of Constantine the emperor. 1.22 Concerning Manes, the founder of the heresy of
What is the reason, for which the good God allows this to happen, whether wishing to exercise the good dogmas of the church, and to cut off the arroga
in Antioch, which deposed Eustathius the bishop of Antioch on account of which, when a sedition arose, the city was almost overthrown. Therefore, hav
that he had come in person, to agree with these things, and was being unreasonably slandered on account of them. What was said by the presbyter seemed
turned him aside), again attempted to disturb Alexandria by introducing the heresy. Then indeed the party of Eusebius both wrote themselves, and induc
to the altar he overturned the table, and broke a mystical chalice and that he burned the sacred books. Therefore, as I said, they promised him the b
again he asks: Is this the one who has lost his hand? And they were astonished at the strange event, except for those who knew where the cut-off han
that Arius, through repentance having recognized the truth, as being henceforth of the church, was rightly and henceforth received by them, hinting at
the enemies of the law having been completely destroyed, who under the pretext of the holy name introduce various and different blasphemies. 1.35 That
the people of Alexandria being distressed both at the return of Arius and those with him, and because their bishop Athanasius had been sent into exile
he attached himself more to Christianity, and said that the faith of Nicaea was truly witnessed by God, and he rejoiced at what had happened and over
the emperor's letters, but only the bare facts, so that the history, by not becoming too long, would not make the readers sluggish. But since for your
with men set against him, was commanded to live under my care in such a way that in this city where he was staying he would abound in all necessities,
The Emperor Constantius expels Paul, the bishop who had been appointed and he entrusted the bishopric of the city of Constantine to Eusebius, who was
of Placitus and Narcissus to be brought down to Emesa and again to endure censure as holding the opinions of Sabellius. And George went through the m
Jesus Christ commanded his disciples, saying, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of
Then indeed, ardently establishing the Arian religion, they stirred up no ordinary wars against the churches, one of which was that which took place t
they drove from the churches. These things the bishops of the East sent to Julius, bishop of Rome. But when Athanasius was entering Alexandria, a dist
there was no progress, a violent pushing was attempted by the soldiers. And since the crowd, being pressed together because of the narrow space, was n
Narcissus the Cilician, and Theodore the Thracian, and Maris of Chalcedon, and Mark the Syrian who, when they arrived, by no means deigned to enter i
or from another substance, and not from God, and that there was once a time or an age when he was not, the holy catholic church knows to be foreign. L
having revealed to men, and reigning for endless ages, for Christ has not received any new dignity but we have believed him to be perfect from the be
to receive the end of an ecumenical council, teaching that the depositions were taking place for the destruction of the faith. Therefore, another ecum
The men of the church have often used this expression, and others that signify the economy of the humanity of our Savior. And indeed, before all these
in a way that indicates the evangelical preaching. And he who says, Create in me a clean heart, O God, did not say this as if he did not have a hear
of the language is as follows: A letter of Constantius to Athanasius. Constantius Victor Augustus to Athanasius the bishop. The philanthropy of our cl
from me, these things your faith anticipated and the object of the common prayer of you all has been fulfilled according to the grace of Christ. I re
being prompted by the device of the Arians and says to him: “You have indeed received back your throne by the vote of the synod and with our consent
be diligent to maintain a seemly and pleasing concord and peace, enduring according to the ordinance of the church. For it is not reasonable that any
to shun those who followed Arianism, but to embrace those who confessed the homoousion. In some of the churches he also performed ordinations and t
Theodulus and Olympius, who presided over churches in Thrace. But what was decreed by the emperor did not escape Athanasius but having foreseen it, h
finding them praying—for most of them had by this time departed on account of the hour—he perpetrated such deeds as ought to have been done by them. F
Gregory, as I have said before, and Basil who presided over the church in Ancyra after Marcellus was expelled, Pancratius of Pelusium, Hypatianus of H
by the denial of the only-begotten God before the ages, should understand it in a Jewish manner, let him be anathema. If anyone, hearing, The Word wa
to be remembered at all, nor to expound on these things to the church for this cause and for this reason, that in the divine scriptures it is not writ
of necessity to the dictations then issued, both agreed and subscribed. And the things that then happened in Sirmium have such an end. However, the em
he proclaimed, and he ordered some of the eastern bishops to hasten to Italy and at the same time he prepared those of the western parts to go also.
they said it was a complaint against Athanasius, but that they were devising these things for the subversion of the faith.” When they had shouted such
having conversed with the disciples, and having fulfilled the whole economy according to the Father's will, having been crucified, and died, and desce
primarily indeed concerning the coming of our Savior and consequently concerning the things that would befall Israel and the gentiles and the times
not only this, but also the other heresies were condemned in which indeed both to add anything is treacherous, and to take away is perilous so that
may nothing of what previously existed be lacking nor be in excess, but may all things remain unbroken, preserved from the piety of your father even t
he permitted to act with boldness against the churches, and he ordered the edition of the creed read out at Ariminum to be sent out to the churches ar
of people in their prime I shall set before the hearers. For of the women who would not consent to partake of the mysteries, they put their breasts in
adds to the evils which he had done. For having learned that in the nation of the Paphlagonians there were very many of the Novatian religion, and esp
command. Lauricius, the commander of the troops in Isauria, had also been ordered to be present, to assist the bishops if it should be necessary. Havi
Basil of Ancyra. Since, then, both had come together in the same place, again those around Acacius were unwilling to meet, saying, It is necessary fi
there is an exposition of the faith, the precision of the truth will fail us.» These things Sophronius said but I say, that if from the beginning b
the bishops summoned Acacius and his party, as we mentioned a little before, so that after investigating the charges they might issue a common vote. F
of the resurrection in the glory of the Father, that he may render to each according to his works. And in the Holy Spirit, which the only-begotten of
in the synod he did many things contrary to the ecclesiastical canons. For he dogmatized, “He forbade to marry, and to abstain from foods ” and throug
of those who from the beginning held the 'homoousion' not being willing to have communion with them, because Meletius had received his ordination by t
He persecuted those in Alexandria who did not hold his opinions. He was also harsh to the people of the city for he was hated by the majority. And in
Let those who are well-known seek a pomp of phrasing, as it is fitting that the account of such a one not be inferior to him about whom the account is
by changing places he was saved. But at last the emperor’s wife Eusebia, having found him in hiding, persuades the emperor to do him no harm, but to a
having confiscated his property, he exiled him. And he knew clearly that the Hellenists were annoyed, because they were prevented from sacrificing an
was being cleansed, an inner shrine was found at a great depth, in which the mysteries of the Hellenes were hidden. These were many skulls of men, bot
and they make cruelty against them an accessory to their power. Compare, therefore, this letter of mine with the one I sent a little while ago and no
This has long seemed so to the men of the church. For they did not devise some new religion and introduce it into the church, but what from the beginn
of the Holy Trinity it is possible to understand what has been said let the ineffable be worshiped in silence.” So much then from Evagrius, about who
For in the law there was a command, that cities of refuge should also be set apart, in order that those sought for death might by some means be able
gave himself up to those plotting against him ..... Thus also the blessed martyrs kept watch during the persecutions from time to time and when perse
having altered it, introduced unlike in substance and both were lawless. For some disorderly wove together the distinct hypostases of the Father an
were Christians in opinion, and all those who preferred money and honor here to true happiness, without any delay inclined towards sacrificing. One of
The governor being extremely angry at what had happened, and being eager to put to death many of the innocent people in the city, the perpetrators of
he has made it manifest for the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made
a very superstitious emperor, and constantly sacrificing bulls at the altars of the idols, had ordered an altar and a bull to be stamped on his own co
he inquired of them, for what reason, though the Mosaic law commanded sacrifice, they abstained. And when they said they were not able to do this else
The Romans, therefore, blamed the emperor, because he had not advantageously withdrawn from the battle nevertheless they dealt with the present circu
words of the sophist Libanius. But I say that he became an excellent sophist and I know that if he were not of the same religion as the emperor, he w
in no way better than these, treading on each other, and not stable, nor proceeding in an orderly course of education. Why should I write of each part
they stoned to death, as one who lies against God.” Then, proceeding a little further, he says, “O nursling of demons, and disciple of demons, and ass
bishops, but who had not managed to be recalled by Julian. At that time indeed all the temples of the Greeks were shut and they themselves hid, one i
by Lamydrion the presbyter, Sabinianus of Zeugma, Athanasius of Ancyra by Orphitus and Aetius, presbyters, Eirenion of Gaza, Pison of Augusta, Patrici
knowing men for public service, he removed no one from the military, just as Jovian who reigned after him did not. And when they later reigned, concer
they confirm the deposition. When these things happened, neither public affairs nor those of the churches were at peace. Those, therefore, who had req
an order of the emperor commanded that Eleusius be expelled, and Eunomius enthroned. And when this was done, the followers of Eleusius, having built a
in the so-called Forum of Theodosius, which was named “The Abundant Water.” On which account the city held a joyous festival and this was said to be
of men but only by some providence of God, on account of their exceeding piety, were Basil and Gregory not subjected to exile, of whom the one was bi
brought from Nice in Thrace, they subscribed. This is our faith, and that of those aforementioned, for whom we act as ambassadors. We believe in one
tested by three hundred and eighteen orthodox bishops which contains the perfect truth, and both silences and overthrows all the multitudes of hereti
when a sedition arose, the emperor, being afraid, and having exhorted those in Alexandria by letters, again commanded Athanasius to hold the church wi
endured, the emperor, having become exceedingly enraged, concealed so much of his anger, as to secretly command Modestus the prefect to seize and put
saying that they were, and that they had killed so many in a short time, persuaded the emperor to cease from his anger. In this manner the Edessenes e
gaining strength, he went up to Damasus the bishop of Rome. But again the Arians, though few in number, nevertheless took possession of the churches t
having lived ninety years, he associated with no one until his death. Another Arsenius did not excommunicate the young who had sinned, but those who h
I think it right to add to these a few of the things mentioned by him concerning the monks for he says the following, word for word: It is necessary
announcing obscurely, signifying some things through riddles, and revealing some things for the benefit of the more simple.” Basil the Cappadocian, th
he himself was left behind, but a company of holy men, showing no mercy at all, he treated worse than the soldiers. And when they came to the place, t
to interpret also the «On First Principles» of Origen, and having published commentaries on them, through which he maintained that they were most exce
he strengthened those who were wavering in the faith. And especially, spending much time in Constantinople, he established those of like mind in the c
brother of Basil. There was also another Gregory in Alexandria, whom the Arians appointed during the time of Athanasius's flight. Let this much be sai
and the church of the Novatians on account of that synod, as we shall relate in the proper place and from here we must proceed to the events that too
to manage the Roman empire that has devolved upon him, when such a contemptible race of barbarians is not content to remain at home in safety, but tak
to have knowledge of him at hand.” When the philosopher had spoken these and similar things, the emperor became milder yet he did not completely let
“homoousion” he abandoned. For being in a state of confusion, he immediately went from Antioch to Constantinople for which reason the Christian war t
found Constantinople with its people in great despondency. For the barbarians, having overrun Thrace, were already sacking even the suburbs of Constan
having as allies the Saracens who were under the command of Mavia. When the emperor Valens had met an uncertain end, the barbarians again came up to t
they were eager for Meletius to be enthroned with Paulinus. But when Paulinus said, it is against the canons to accept as enthroned with him one orda
having called together the multitudes in the church, and having stood up in the midst, he spoke such things through him to his subjects. “Brothers,” h
obtained the patriarchate by lot. Amphilochius of Iconium and Optimus of Antioch in Pisidia obtained the Asian diocese. The affairs of Egypt were assi
he perceived that the discussions not only do not unite the schisms, but indeed also make the heresies more contentious and for this reason he sugges
was attached. But indeed, not even those of the «homoousian» faith were completely free from troubles for the affairs at Antioch divided those presen
his son Arcadius reigning and having reached Thessalonica, he finds Valentinian and his party living in great despondency, because they had been comp
when he died, the people under him turned away from Flavianus and for this reason he prepares for Evagrius of his own party to be ordained. But when
he would have been the one who killed nine men in the conflict. Such, then, were the things that happened in Alexandria at that time. 5.17 Concerning
The emperor removed such a disgrace from the ruling city and another such as this. If a woman was caught in adultery, they used to punish the one who
did not stop at division but turning again against themselves, they proceeded and taking hold of a small and trivial pretext, they separated from on
those who had assembled to make a decision for the catholic canon for both the ancients and those near the apostles, though disagreeing about this fe
to introduce piety. But it seems to me, that just as many other things became customary in various places, so also the feast of Easter received its pe
of a country the feast of Easter is celebrated, thence I infer. No one of the religions keeps the same customs, even if it embraces the same opinion c
in Thessalonica and in Macedonia itself and in Greece. And I know another custom that occurs in Thessaly they baptize only during the days of Easter
the commandments of God, and legislating for themselves, while setting at naught the legislation of the apostles deceiving themselves, that they are
a Father to always be a Father, even when the Son did not exist. These were called “Psathyrians,” because a certain Theoctistus, a cake-seller, a Syri
he happened to be a leader, but in character harsh and most bloodthirsty, and he inclined towards tyranny. Therefore, both of them plotted the murder
Know that we have not been zealous about phrasing, having considered that if we should strive to use beautiful language, we might perhaps even fall sh
After a short time had passed, Nectarius, the bishop of Constantinople, died during the consulship of Caesarius and Atticus, around the twenty-seventh
spending most of his time with Basil, who was then appointed deacon by Meletius, but afterwards became bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia, Zeno the bish
a homily spoken by him. For Eutropius the eunuch, who presided over the imperial bedchamber, and was the first of the eunuchs to receive the dignity o
the emperor provided them according to the necessity of the time. And those choosing to die beforehand for the common good bravely obeyed the emperor'
was shown. For as the barbarians, being without ships, constructed rafts and crossed on them, the military ships of the Romans were just about to arri
Another matter of the following sort. Four devout men presided over the monasteries in Egypt: Dioscorus, Ammonius, Eusebius, and Euthymius. These were
Concerning the assemblies for the nocturnal hymns of the Arians and of those who profess the Homoousion, and concerning the conflict that occurred amo
those attached to Meletius against Flavian because of the oath, as has also been said by me before. Isidore, therefore, having returned from Rome, and
Severianus was from Gabala, a city of Syria Antiochus presided over the church of Ptolemais in Phoenicia. Both, therefore, were attracted by rhetoric
concerning his grief against Severian, was something of this sort. 6.12 How Epiphanius, having entered Constantinople, held assemblies and ordinations
he said he would not even stay with him, nor pray with him, unless he expelled Dioscorus and his companions from the city, and he himself subscribed t
many and no longer was there any mention of Origen's books but they turned to other absurd accusations. With these things thus prepared beforehand,
of the Alexandrians at which, being afraid, Theophilus and some of the bishops of the city departed. But previously Theophilus was preparing that the
investigating nothing but they said that this alone should be brought to judgment, that after his deposition, without the synod having voted for him,
a just judge of truth but I have written the things that were then commonly reported. 6.20 How after Arsacius Atticus held the throne of Constantinop
saying, “You see that you wish to be the only bishop,” Sisinnius said, “I do not say this, but that I am not a bishop to you alone, though I am to oth
sober and earnest concerning the appointment of the bishop. But not long after John comes to Constantinople. And he again was exercising the proper ca
when he had cast him out of the church, and brought in Macedonius instead. This man encompassed Constantinople with the great walls and he seemed and
having taught the common things of their own. And he wrote to Agapetus, to hold onto his episcopate, suspecting nothing grievous from the sorrow of Th
he was trained in the sacred scriptures. And indeed George always had the works of Aristotle and Plato in his hands while Timothy breathed Origen an
a device does this.” The king of the Persians is persuaded by Marouthas, and again he entered into the chamber, where the unquenchable fire was. When
tormenting me, and saying, Go, sack the city of the Romans.« So much then concerning this. 7.11 Concerning those who were bishops in Rome. And after
the Jews being idle in it, not giving their time to the hearing of the law but to theatrical entertainments, the day became a point of contention for
unjustly armed Dioscorus, and having then acquired zeal, they eagerly chose to fight for Cyril. Therefore, about five hundred men, having left their m
doing many irrational things in their play, carried away by drunkenness, they mocked both Christians and Christ himself in their games and laughing a
persuaded by the magi, harshly persecuted the Christians, inflicting various Persian punishments and tortures upon them. Therefore, the Christians in
he threw in and thinking that a Roman force was coming against them, being in confusion, not having anywhere to flee, they threw themselves armed int
knowing the misfortune of the Persians, pretends not to know what had happened but he receives the embassy, saying to the ambassador, “It is not beca
For the emperor, although he professed to philosophize, nevertheless did not bear his anger against those in Antioch who satirized him but he brought
Theodosius, asking to be accepted as emperor. But he placed the ambassadors under guard and he sent out the general Ardaburius, who had also fought m
to send money for the comfort of those in need. For instance, having sent three hundred gold pieces to Calliopius, a presbyter of the church of Nicaea
for you delay, you will not overtake me.” And in saying this he was not mistaken for in the twenty-first year of his episcopate, on the tenth of the
an ascetic, whose name was Dalmatius. And this they did, neglecting the law which commanded that the ordination of a bishop should not take place cont
are almost all craftsmen and receiving wages from this they are supported. The nation of the Huns, constantly attacking them, plundered their country
being established now said these things, and now the others and they were agreeing and denying at the same time. But Nestorius had a reputation among
of the synod previously gathered in Ephesus against Nestorius. For not much time had passed, when an edict of the emperor ordered the bishops from eve
and also unskilled in speech, and preferring to live a more quiet life. 7.36 Examples through which, as it seems, the author shows that the transfer
When he was superseded, Silvanus remained in Constantinople, pursuing the ascetic life to the utmost. And he was so unpretentious, that for the most p
were saving, as they then received a sense of their folly in their suffering and they were preventing the others from throwing themselves, pointing o
had happened before at that time indeed he obtained the throne of the church in Constantinople. He was a man good in character, if anyone else ever w
he comes to Constantinople for the sake of the marriage. When this was completed in the consulate of Isidore and Senator, having taken his wife, he ra
they enthrone him, having been ordained on the twenty-first of the same month. Let these things, therefore, be said to this extent. 7.47 How the Emper
announcing obscurely, signifying some things through riddles, and revealing some things for the benefit of the more simple.” Basil the Cappadocian, the pillar of truth, says, “Attentive study and exercise make better the knowledge that comes from men; but righteousness and meekness and mercy, that which comes from the grace of God. And it is possible for the former to be received even by those with passions; but only the dispassionate are receptive of the second, who also at the time of prayer behold the mind's own light shining around them.” The holy luminary of the Egyptians, Athanasius, says, “Moses is commanded to place the table in the northern part; let the Gnostics know what is blowing against them, and let them endure every temptation nobly, and let them feed with eagerness those who approach.” And Sarapion, the angel of the church of Thmuis, said that “the mind that has acquired spiritual knowledge is perfectly purified; love heals the inflamed parts of the temper; and continence stops evil desires from flowing in.” “Always exercise yourself in the doctrines concerning providence and judgment,” says the great and gnostic teacher Didymus, “and try to carry the substance of these things in your memory; for nearly everyone stumbles in these matters. And the doctrines concerning judgment you will find in the difference of bodies and throughout the world; but those concerning providence in the ways that lead us back from wickedness and ignorance to virtue or to knowledge.” So much from the works of Evagrius we have set forth here. There was also another wonderful man among the monks, whose name was Ammonius, who was so uncurious, that when he was in Rome with Athanasius he chose to see none of the works of the city, but only to see the shrine of Peter and Paul. This Ammonius, being dragged to the episcopate and having escaped, cut off his own right ear, so that by the disfigurement of his body he might escape ordination. But when some time later Evagrius also was seized for the episcopate by Theophilus the bishop of Alexandria and escaped, without mutilating any part of his body, he met Ammonius and said jokingly, that “he had done badly in cutting off his ear; and that in doing this he was guilty before God.” But Ammonius said to him, “But do you not think, Evagrius,” he said, “that you will be judged for cutting out your tongue, by not using the grace given you out of self-love?” Now at the same time in the monasteries there were many other wonderful and God-loving men, of whom it would be lengthy to make mention in the present work; and besides it would be necessary to digress from the subject, if we wished to tell the lives of each of the men, and what miracles they performed on account of their inherent holiness. But if anyone should wish to learn about them, both what they created and what they did, and what they uttered for the benefit of their hearers, and how the wild beasts obeyed them, a special single volume has been composed by Palladius the monk; who was a disciple of Evagrius, and who related everything about them accurately; in which he also made mention of women who undertook a life comparable to the aforementioned men. Evagrius and Palladius therefore flourished a little after the death of Valens. But let us return to the point from which we digressed. 4.24 Concerning the exiled holy monks, how God through their miracles drew everyone to himself. When, therefore, the emperor Valens had commanded by law that those in Alexandria and throughout Egypt should be persecuted, everything was being plundered and overturned; some being dragged to courts, others being thrown into prisons, and others being tortured in other ways. For various punishments were inflicted on those who loved to live in tranquility. And when these things had been done in Alexandria as Lucius saw fit, Euzoius returned again to Antioch; and they went straight to the monasteries of Egypt, the general with a large multitude of soldiers, and Lucius the Arian. For not even
σκοτεινῶς ἀπαγγέλλουσαν, τὰ δὲ δι' αἰνιγμάτων σημαίνουσαν, τινα δὲ καὶ φανεροῦσαν πρὸς ὠφέλειαν τῶν ἁπλουστέρων.» Τῆς ἀληθείας
στύλος ὁ Καππαδόκης Βασίλειος, «Τὴν μὲν ἀπ' ἀνθρώπων, φησὶν, ἐπισυμβαίνουσαν γνῶσιν προσεχὴς μελέτη καὶ γυμνασία κρείσσονα
ποιεῖ· τὴν δὲ ἐκ Θεοῦ χάριτος ἐγγινομένην δικαιοσύνη καὶ ἀοργησία καὶ ἔλεος. Καὶ τὴν μὲν προτέραν δυνατὸν καὶ τοὺς ἐμπαθεῖς
ὑποδέξασθαι· τῆς δὲ δευτέρας οἱ ἀπαθεῖς μόνοι εἰσὶ δεκτικοὶ, οἳ καὶ παρὰ τὸν καιρὸν τῆς προσευχῆς τὸ οἰκεῖον φέγγος τοῦ νοῦ
περιλάμπον αὐτοὺς θεωροῦσι.» Τῶν Αἰγυπτίων ὁ ἅγιος φωστὴρ Ἀθανάσιος, «Τὴν τράπεζαν,» φησὶ, «Μωϋσῆς εἰς τὸ βόρειον μέρος στῆσαι
προστάσσεται· γινωσκέτωσαν οἱ γνωστικοὶ, τίς ὁ πνέων ἐστὶ κατ' αὐτῶν, καὶ πάντα πειρασμὸν γενναίως ὑπομενέτωσαν, καὶ μετὰ
προθυμίας τοὺς προσιόντας τρεφέτωσαν.» Ἔλεγε δὲ ὁ τῆς Θμουϊτῶν ἐκκλησίας ἄγγελος Σαραπίων ὅτι «ὁ νοῦς μὲν πεποιηκὼς πνευματικὴν
γνῶσιν τελείως καθαίρεται· ἀγάπη δὲ τὰ φλεγμαίνοντα μόρια τοῦ θυμοῦ θεραπεύει· πονηρὰς δὲ ἐπιθυμίας ἐπιρρεούσας ἵστησιν ἐγκράτεια.»
«Τοὺς περὶ προνοίας καὶ κρίσεως κατὰ σαυτὸν ἀεὶ γύμναζε λόγους,» φησὶν ὁ μέγας καὶ γνωστικὸς διδάσκαλος ∆ίδυμος, «καὶ τούτων
τὰς ὕλας διὰ μνήμης φέρειν πειράθητι· ἅπαντες γὰρ σχεδὸν ἐν τούτοις προσπταίουσι. Καὶ τοὺς μὲν περὶ κρίσεως λόγους ἐν τῇ διαφορᾷ
τῶν σωμάτων καὶ κατὰ τὸν κόσμον εὑρήσεις· τοὺς δὲ περὶ προνοίας ἐν τοῖς τρόποις τοῖς ἀπὸ κακίας καὶ ἀγνωσίας ἐπὶ τὴν ἀρετὴν
ἢ ἐπὶ τὴν γνῶσιν ἡμᾶς ἐπανάγουσι.» Τοσαῦτα μὲν ἐκ τῶν Εὐαγρίου ἐνταῦθα παρεθέμεθα. Ἐγένετο δὲ καὶ ἄλλος ἀνὴρ θαυμάσιος ἐν
τοῖς μοναχοῖς, ᾧ ὄνομα Ἀμμώνιος, ὅστις οὕτως ἦν ἀπερίεργος, ὥστε ἐν τῇ Ῥώμῃ ἅμα Ἀθανασίῳ γενόμενος μηδὲν ἑλέσθαι ἱστορῆσαι
τῶν ἔργων τῆς πόλεως, μόνον δὲ ἰδεῖν τὸ Πέτρου καὶ Παύλου μαρτύριον. Οὗτος ὁ Ἀμμώνιος εἰς ἐπισκοπὴν ἑλκόμενος καὶ διαφυγὼν,
τὸ δεξιὸν οὖς αὐτοῦ ἐξέκοψεν, ὅπως ἂν τῷ ἀσχήμῳ τοῦ σώματος τὴν χειροτονίαν ἐκφύγῃ. Ἐπειδὴ δὲ χρόνῳ ὕστερον καὶ Εὐάγριος ὑπὸ
Θεοφίλου τοῦ ἐπισκόπου Ἀλεξανδρείας πρὸς ἐπισκοπὴν συλληφθεὶς ἀπέφυγεν, οὐδὲν ἀκρωτηριάσας τοῦ σώματος, περιτυχὼν τῷ Ἀμμωνίῳ
χαριεντιζόμενος ἔλεγεν, ὡς «κακῶς εἴη πράξας ἐκκόψας τὴν ἀκοήν· καὶ ἔνοχος εἶναι Θεοῦ τοῦτο ποίησας.» Ὁ δὲ Ἀμμώνιος πρὸς αὐτὸν,
«Ἀλλὰ σὺ,» ἔφη, «Εὐάγριε,οὐκ οἴει δώσειν δίκην τὴν γλῶσσαν ἀποτεμὼν, διὰ φιλαυτίαν τῇ δοθείσῃ χάριτι μὴ χρησάμενος;» Ἐγένοντο
μὲν οὖν κατὰ τὸν αὐτὸν χρόνον ἐν τοῖς μοναστηρίοις καὶ ἄλλοι πλεῖστοι ἄνδρες θαυμαστοὶ καὶ θεοφιλεῖς, ὧν ἐν τῇ προκειμένῃ
συγγραφῇ μνημονεύειν μακρὸν ἂν εἴη· ἄλλως τε καὶ ἐκβαίνειν τοῦ προκειμένου ἀνάγκη, εἰ βουλοίμεθα καθ' ἕκαστον τῶν ἀνδρῶν τοὺς
βίους, καὶ ὅσα ἐποίησαν θαύματα διὰ τὴν προσοῦσαν αὐτοῖς ἁγιότητα, λέγειν. Εἰ δέ τις βούλοιτο τὰ περὶ αὐτῶν μανθάνειν, ὧν
τε ἐποίησαν, ὧν τε ἔπραξαν, καὶ ὧν πρὸς ὠφέλειαν τῶν ἀκουσάντων ἐφθέγξαντο, ὅπως τε αὐτοῖς τὰ θηρία ὑπήκουον, πεπόνηται Παλλαδίῳ
τῷ μοναχῷ ἴδιον μονόβιβλον· ὃς Εὐαγρίου μὲν ἦν μαθητὴς, πάντα δὲ ἀκριβῶς περὶ αὐτῶν διεξῆλθεν· ἐν ᾧ καὶ γυναικῶν ἐφάμιλλον
τοῖς προειρημένοις ἀνδράσιν ἐπανελομένων βίον μνήμην πεποίηται. Εὐάγριος μὲν οὖν καὶ Παλλάδιος μικρὸν ὕστερον μετὰ τὴν Οὐάλεντος
τελευτὴν ἤνθησαν. Ἐπανέλθωμεν δὲ ὅθεν ἐξέβημεν. 4.24 Περὶ τῶν ἐξορισθέντων ἁγίων μοναχῶν, ὅπως ὁ Θεὸς ταῖς αὐτῶν θαυματοποιΐαις
πάντας πρὸς ἑαυτὸν ἐφειλκύσατο. Τοῦ τοίνυν βασιλέως Οὐάλεντος νόμῳ κελεύσαντος διώκεσθαι τούς τ' ἐν Ἀλεξανδρείᾳ καὶ τοὺς κατ'
Αἴγυπτον, πάντα ἐπορθεῖτο καὶ ἀνετρέπετο· τῶν μὲν ἑλκομένων εἰς δικαστήρια, τῶν δὲ βαλλομένων εἰς δεσμωτήρια, ἄλλων τε ἄλλως
στρεβλουμένων. ∆ιάφοροι γὰρ τιμωρίαι κατὰ τῶν ἡσυχάζειν φιλούντων ἐγίνοντο. Ἐπεὶ δὲ ταῦτα ἐν τῇ Ἀλεξανδρείᾳ ᾗ ἐδόκει Λουκίῳ
ἐπέπρακτο, Εὐζώϊος ἐπὶ τὴν Ἀντιόχειαν αὖθις ὑπέστρεψεν· οἱ δὲ εὐθὺς ἐπὶ τὰ τῆς Αἰγύπτου μοναστήρια ἐχώρουν, ὁ δὲ στρατηγὸς
σὺν πλήθει πολλῶν στρατιωτῶν, καὶ ὁ Ἀρειανὸς Λούκιος. Οὐδὲ γὰρ
