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| The Presbyter Sabbatius, formerly a Jew, separates from the Novatians.
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Chapter V.—The
Presbyter Sabbatius, formerly a Jew, separates from the
Novatians.
Many, however, making no
account of these events yielded to their own depravity; for not only
did the Jews continue in unbelief after this miracle, but others also
who love to follow them were shown to hold views similar to theirs.
Among these was Sabbatius, of whom mention has before been made;912
who not being content with the dignity of presbyter to which he had
attained, but aiming at a bishopric from the beginning, separated
himself from the church of the Novatians, making a pretext of observing
the Jewish Passover.913
| 913Cf. I. 8, note 2, and V. 22 and notes.
|
Holding therefore schismatic assemblies apart from his own bishop
Sisinnius, in a place named Xerolophus, where the forum of Arcadius now
is, he ventured on the performance of an act deserving the severest
punishments. Reading one day at one of these meetings that passage in
the Gospel where it is said,914
| 914Not an exact quotation. Luke xxii. 1, resembles it more than any other of the
parallels.
|
‘Now it was the Feast of the Jews called the Passover,’ he
added what was never written nor heard of before: ‘Cursed be he
that celebrates the Passover out of the days of unleavened
bread.’ When these words were reported among the people, the more
simple of the Novatian laity, deceived by this artifice, flocked to
him. But his fraudulent fabrication was of no avail to him; for his
forgery issued in most disastrous consequences. For shortly afterwards
he kept this feast in anticipation of the Christian Easter; and many
according to their custom flocked
to him. While they were passing the night in the accustomed vigils, a
panic as if caused by evil spirits fell upon them, as if Sisinnius
their bishop were coming with a multitude of persons to attack them.
From the perturbation that might be expected in such a case, and their
being shut up at night in a confined place, they trod upon one another,
insomuch that above seventy of them were crushed to death. On this
account many deserted Sabbatius: some however, holding his ignorant
prejudice, remained with him. In what way Sabbatius, by a violation of
his oath, afterwards managed to get himself ordained a bishop, we shall
relate hereafter.915
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