Arsacius Made Bishop, and the Lady Nicarete

Not long afterward, Arsacius, brother of Nectarius, who had held the bishopric before John, was ordained bishop of Constantinople. He was very mild by nature and deeply devout. But the reputation he had gained as a presbyter was lessened by the conduct of some of the clergy to whom he handed over his authority, who did as they pleased in his name; for their misdeeds were blamed on him. Nothing, however, did him as much harm as the persecution carried on against John’s followers. They refused to hold communion with him, or even to pray with him, because John’s enemies were associated with him. And since they persisted, as we said before, in holding church in the outlying parts of the city, he complained of their conduct to the emperor. [a]

The tribune was ordered to attack them with a body of soldiers, and with clubs and stones he soon scattered them. The most distinguished of them in rank, and those most zealous in their loyalty to John, were thrown into prison. The soldiers, as usually happens on such occasions, went beyond their orders. They forcibly stripped the women of their ornaments and carried off as plunder their chains, their golden belts, their necklaces and their collars of rings; and they tore off the lobes of their ears along with the earrings. Although the whole city was filled with trouble and mourning in this way, the people’s affection for John stayed the same, and they kept out of public view. Many of them stayed away from the marketplace and the public baths, while others, not thinking themselves safe even in their own houses, fled the city.

Among the zealous men and excellent women who took this last course was Nicarete, a lady of Bithynia. She came from a well-known noble family, and she was famous for her lifelong virginity and her virtuous life. She was the most modest of all the zealous women we have ever known, orderly in manner, in speech and in behavior, and all her life she always put the service of God before every earthly concern. She showed that she could bear the sudden reverses of misfortune with courage and good sense. She saw herself unjustly robbed of the greater part of her large inheritance without showing any resentment, and she managed the little that was left to her so carefully that, although she was old, she was able to supply all the needs of her household and to give generously to others as well. Since she loved a humane spirit, she also prepared a variety of remedies for the needs of the sick poor, and she often cured patients who had gained nothing from the skill of the usual physicians. With a devout strength that helped her reach the best results, she closed her lips. To sum it all up in a few words, we have never known a devoted woman of such character, such dignity and every other virtue. Although she was so remarkable, she hid the greater part of her character and her deeds; for out of modesty and philosophy she always sought to stay hidden. She would not accept the office of deaconess, nor that of instructor of the virgins consecrated to the service of the church, because she considered herself unworthy, although John often pressed the honor on her. [b]

After the popular uprising had been put down, the prefect of the city appeared in public as though to inquire into the cause of the fire and the burning of the council hall, and he punished many people severely. But since he was a pagan, he ridiculed the disasters of the church and took delight in its misfortunes. [d]