Paulonas the Presbyter

Paulonas the presbyter, a disciple of the blessed deacon Ephrem, was a man of very energetic character and learned in the Holy Scriptures. He was distinguished among the teachers of the church while his master was still living, and especially as an orator who could speak without preparation. After the death of his master, overcome by love of reputation, he separated himself from the church and wrote many things opposed to the faith. The blessed Ephrem, when he was at the point of death, is reported to have said to him as he stood at his side: “See to it, Paulonas, that you do not give yourself over to your own ideas. When you think that you understand God wholly, believe that you have not known him.” For Ephrem sensed beforehand, from Paulonas’s studies or from his words, that he was searching after new things and stretching his mind toward what has no limit. That is why he often called him the new Bardesanes. [a]