Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers: Series II/Volume II/Sozomen/Book VII/Chapter 10
Chapter X.—Concerning Martyrius of Cilicia. Translation of the Remains of St. Paul the Confessor, and of Meletius, Bishop of Antioch.
Nectarius made himself acquainted with the routine of sacerdotal ceremonies under the instruction of Cyriacus,[1]
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,[2]
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.