John Rebukes Epiphanius, Who Leaves Constantinople

John was not offended that Epiphanius, contrary to the church’s canon, had performed an ordination in his church. Instead he invited him to stay with him at the bishop’s residence. But Epiphanius replied that he would neither stay nor pray with him unless John expelled Dioscorus and his brothers from the city and signed the condemnation of Origen’s books with his own hand. Now as John put off doing these things, saying that nothing ought to be done rashly before a general council had looked into the matter, John’s opponents led Epiphanius to take another course. They arranged it so that, when a congregation was gathered in the church called The Apostles, Epiphanius came forward and, before all the people, condemned the books of Origen, excommunicated Dioscorus and his followers, and charged John with supporting them. These things were reported to John, and on the following day, just as Epiphanius was entering the church, John sent him this message: [a]

“You do many things contrary to the canons, Epiphanius. In the first place, you have performed an ordination in the churches under my jurisdiction. Then, without my appointment, you have officiated in them on your own authority. Moreover, when I invited you here before, you refused to come, and now you take that liberty yourself. So be careful, or a riot may break out among the people and you yourself will be in danger from it.”

Epiphanius was alarmed when he heard these warnings. He left the church, and after accusing John of many things, he set out to return to Cyprus. Some say that when he was about to leave, he said to John: “I hope that you will not die a bishop.” And John replied: “Do not expect to reach your own country.” I cannot be sure that those who reported these things to me told the truth. But nevertheless, in the case of both men, the outcome was as foretold. For Epiphanius did not reach Cyprus; he died on board ship during the voyage. And a short time afterward John was driven from his see, as we will show as we go on.