IV. From an Epistle
to Demetrius, Bishop of Alexandria.
1238
And he
1239
—i.e.,
Demetrius
—has
added to his letter that this is a matter that was never heard of
before, and has never been done now,—namely, that laymen should
take part
in
public speaking
,
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when there are bishops present. But
in this assertion he has departed evidently far from the truth by some
means. For, indeed, wherever there are found persons capable of
profiting the brethren, such persons are exhorted by the holy bishops
to address the people. Such was the case at Laranda, where
Evelpis was thus exhorted by Neon; and at Iconium, Paulinus was thus
exhorted by Celsus; and at Synada, Theodorus also by Atticus, our
blessed brethren. And it is probable that this is done in other
places also, although we know not the fact.
1241
1238
In Euseb.,
Hist. Eccles.
, ch. xix.
1239
Demetrius is, for honour’s sake, addressed in the third
person. Perhaps
ἡ
σὴ
ἁγιότης
or some such form
preceded.
1240
ὁμιλεῖν
.
1241
[This
precise and definite testimony is not to be controverted. It
follows the traditions of the Synagogue (
Acts xiii. 15
), and agrees
with the Pauline prescription as to the use of the
charismata
in
1 Cor. xiv.
The chiefs of the Synagogue retained the power of
giving this liberty, and this passed to the Christian authorities.]