Severian of Gabala and Antiochus of Ptolemais

John also earned the hostility of the empress through the schemes of Severian, bishop of Gabala in Syria. Severian and Antiochus, bishop of Ptolemais, a city in Phoenicia, were both learned men, well qualified to teach in the churches. Antiochus had such a fine voice and delivery that some people gave him the surname Chrysostom. Severian, on the other hand, spoke with the harsh accent of the Syrians, but in knowledge and in proofs from the Scriptures he was thought superior to Antiochus. It seems that Antiochus was the first to visit Constantinople. He won great applause by his sermons, gathered some property, and then went back to his own city. Severian followed his example and went to Constantinople. He became close to John, preached often in the churches, and was admired. He was held in honor and became well known to many of those in power, and to the emperor and empress. When John went to Asia, he entrusted the church to Severian’s care, for he was so far deceived by Severian’s flattery as to think him a devoted friend. Severian, however, thought only of gratifying his hearers and pleasing the people with his sermons. [a]

When John learned of this, he was filled with jealousy, and his resentment was kindled further, it is said, by what Serapion told him. After John came back from Asia, Serapion happened to see Severian passing by. Instead of rising to greet him, he stayed in his seat, to show his utter contempt for the man. Severian was offended by this show of disrespect and exclaimed, “If Serapion dies a cleric, then Christ did not become man.” Serapion reported these words, and as a result John drove Severian out of the city as an insolent man and a blasphemer against God, for witnesses were brought forward to testify that he had really said them. Some of Serapion’s friends even went so far as to cut out part of Severian’s statement and claim that he had declared that Christ did not become man. John also rebuked Severian by asking him whether, “if Serapion should not die among the clergy, it would follow that Christ had not become man.”

As soon as the emperor’s wife was told by Severian’s friends what had happened, she sent for him at once from Chalcedon. Despite all her protests, John flatly refused to have anything to do with him, until the empress set her son Theodosius on his knees in the church named after the apostles. Then she pleaded with him persistently and implored him again and again, until John reluctantly agreed to receive Severian back into friendship. Such are the accounts I have received of these events.