CHAPTER XVI

BANISHMENT OF THE HOLY BARSES, BISHOP OF EDESSA.—SOME OF THE CLERGY EXILED WITH HIM

THE celebrated Barses ruled not only Edessa and the adjacent cities, but also Phœnicia, Egypt, and Thebes, and the fame of hiss virtues extended throughout all these provinces. Valens banished him first to the Isle of Aradus; but when it was found that multitudes resorted to him, for he was filled with apostolical gifts and was able to remove diseases by a word, the emperor sent him to Oxyrynchus, a city of Egypt. But as his fame still attracted attention, he was banished to a greater distance; and this old man, who was worthy of heaven, was conveyed to a fortress called Philæ, situated on the frontier of the barbarian nations. It is said that his bed is preserved in Aradus even to this day, and that it is still held in the greatest honour. Many sick persons, on being made to lie down upon it, have, by means of their faith, been healed.