The Last Hours of Serapion

To this same Fabius, who was leaning somewhat toward the schism, Dionysius of Alexandria also wrote. In his letter to him he goes through many other things about repentance and recounts the struggles of those who had then recently borne witness at Alexandria. Along with the rest of his account he tells of an event full of wonder, which must also be handed down in this work. It goes like this: [a] “I will set out for you this one example, which happened among us. There was with us a certain Serapion, a faithful old man, who had lived blamelessly for most of his life but fell in the time of testing. He pleaded many times, but no one paid attention to him, since he had sacrificed. He fell ill and lay three days in a row without speech or feeling. [b] On the fourth day he recovered a little, called his daughter’s son, and said, ‘How long, my child, will you all hold me back? I beg you, hurry and release me quickly. Call one of the presbyters for me.’ Having said this, he was speechless again. The boy ran to the presbyter. It was night, and the presbyter was ill and could not come. But I had given instructions that those departing this life should be forgiven if they asked for it, especially if they had pleaded for it before, so that they might depart with good hope. So he gave the boy a little of the Eucharist, telling him to soak it and let it drip into the old man’s mouth. [c] The boy came back carrying it. As he drew near, before he came in, Serapion revived again and said, ‘Have you come, my child? The presbyter could not come, but you do quickly what he told you, and let me go.’ The boy soaked it and poured it into his mouth, and as soon as he had swallowed a little, he gave up his spirit. Was he not plainly preserved, and did he not hold on until he was released, and until, with his sin wiped out, he could be acknowledged for the many good deeds he had done?” [d]