Epiphanius of Cyprus

At this time Epiphanius was at the head of the metropolitan church of Cyprus. He was famous not only for the virtues and miraculous deeds of his life but also for the honor God gave him after his death, for it was said that demons were driven out and diseases healed at his tomb. Many wonderful deeds done in his lifetime are told of him, and this is one of the most remarkable that has come to our knowledge. He was extremely generous to the needy, whether they had suffered shipwreck or some other disaster. After spending the whole of his own inheritance to relieve such people, he applied the treasures of the church to the same purpose. These treasures had been greatly increased by the gifts of devout men from various provinces. Their admiration for Epiphanius had led them to entrust him with distributing their alms during their lifetimes, or to leave him their property for this purpose at their deaths. It is said that on one occasion the treasurer, a godly man, found that the church’s funds had been nearly drained, and so little was left in the treasury that he thought it his duty to rebuke the bishop as a spendthrift. In spite of these protests, Epiphanius gave away the small sum that remained. Then a stranger went to the little house where the treasurer lived and put into his hands a bag containing many gold coins. Since neither the giver nor the sender could be seen, it seemed, naturally enough, a miracle that anyone giving so much money should keep himself unknown. So everyone thought it was the work of God. [a]

I also want to tell another miracle that is attributed to Epiphanius. I have heard that a similar deed is told of Gregory, who once governed Neocaesarea, and I see no reason to doubt that account; but it does not disprove the miracle attributed to Epiphanius. Peter the apostle was not the only one who raised another person from the dead. John the evangelist did a similar miracle at Ephesus, and so did the daughters of Philip at Hierapolis. Men of God have done such things in different ages. The miracle I want to give is this. Two beggars found out when Epiphanius would be passing that way, and they agreed to get a larger gift than usual out of him by a trick. As soon as they saw the bishop coming, one of the beggars threw himself on the ground and pretended to be dead. The other stood beside him and cried out loudly, mourning the loss of his companion and his own poverty, which left him unable to pay for a burial. Epiphanius prayed to God that the dead man might rise in peace. He gave the survivor enough money for the burial and said to the one who was weeping: “My son, see to the burial of your companion, and weep no more. He cannot rise from the dead now. The misfortune could not be avoided, so you ought to bear it patiently.” With these words the bishop left the spot. [b]

As soon as no one was in sight, the beggar who had spoken to Epiphanius nudged the other with his foot as he lay stretched out on the ground, and said to him, “You have played your part well. Get up now, for thanks to your work we have a good supply for today.” But the man lay just as before. He did not hear any cry or feel the one who was shaking him with all his strength. The other beggar ran after the priest and confessed their trick, and with lamentations, tearing his hair, he begged Epiphanius to bring his companion back. Epiphanius simply urged him to bear the disaster patiently, and sent him away. God did not undo what had happened because, I am convinced, it was his purpose to show that those who deceive his servants are counted as guilty of the fraud as if they had committed it against him who sees all and hears all.