Sisinnius, Bishop of the Novatians, and His Quick Wit

I think it will not be out of place here to give some account of Sisinnius. He was, as I have often said, a remarkably eloquent man and well trained in philosophy. But he had especially cultivated logic, and he was deeply skilled in interpreting the holy Scriptures, so much so that the heretic Eunomius often shrank from the sharpness of his reasoning. In his diet he did not live plainly; for although he practiced the strictest moderation, his table was always lavishly supplied. He also allowed himself to wear white clothes and to bathe twice a day in the public baths. When someone asked him why he, a bishop, bathed twice a day, he replied: “Because it is inconvenient to bathe three times.” [a]

One day, when he went out of courtesy to visit Bishop Arsacius, one of that bishop’s friends asked him why he wore a garment so unsuitable for a bishop, and where it was written that a clergyman should be dressed in white. He answered: “You tell me first where it is written that a bishop should wear black.” The questioner did not know how to answer this counter-question, and Sisinnius went on: “You cannot show that a priest should be dressed in black. But Solomon is my authority, who urges, ‘Let your garments be white.’ And our Savior in the Gospels appears clothed in white; moreover he showed Moses and Elijah to the apostles dressed in white garments.” His quick answers to these and other questions drew the admiration of those present.

Again, when Leontius, bishop of Ancyra in Galatia Minor, who had taken a church away from the Novatians, was visiting Constantinople, Sisinnius went to him and asked him to give the church back. But Leontius received him rudely, saying: “You Novatians ought not to have churches, for you take away repentance and shut out God’s mercy.” As Leontius poured out these and many other such insults against the Novatians, Sisinnius replied: “No one repents more heartily than I do.” And when Leontius asked him, “Why do you repent?” he said: “That I came to see you.”

On one occasion, when Bishop John was in a dispute with him, John said: “The city cannot have two bishops.” Sisinnius answered: “Nor does it.” John, irritated at this reply, said: “You see, you claim that you alone are the bishop.” Sisinnius replied: “I do not say that. I say that it is only in your eyes that I am not a bishop; to others I am one.” John, still more annoyed at this reply, said: “I will stop your preaching, for you are a heretic.” To this Sisinnius answered good-humoredly: “I will give you a reward if you will relieve me of so heavy a duty.” John was softened a little by this answer and said: “I will not make you stop preaching, if you find speaking so troublesome.”

So witty was Sisinnius, and so quick with a reply. But it would be tedious to dwell further on his witticisms; so we have shown by a few examples what kind of person he was, thinking these enough. I will only add that he was famous for his learning, and because of it all the bishops who succeeded him loved and honored him; and not only they, but all the leading members of the senate also respected and admired him. He wrote many works, but they show too great a striving after elegance of language and a lavish mixing in of poetic expressions. For this reason he was admired more as a speaker than as a writer; for there was dignity in his face and voice, as well as in his figure and bearing, and every movement he made was graceful. Because of these qualities he was loved by all the sects, and he was in special favor with Bishop Atticus. But I must bring this short account of Sisinnius to a close.