CHAPTER XXVIII

BOLDNESS OF THE BISHOP JOHN IN THE CAUSE OF GOD

JOHN had no sooner received the helm of the church, than he began to rebuke crime with much boldness. He gave many useful counsels to the emperor and the empress; he obliged the priests to observe the canons of the church; and prohibited those who violated them from approaching the altar, saying, “That it was not right that those should enjoy the sacerdotal dignity who did not imitate the sanctity of those who were true priests.” But he did not confine his zeal to the city: its effects were felt throughout all Thrace, which is divided into six provinces; throughout the whole of Asia, in which there are eleven governments; and throughout Pontus, which comprises the same number of governments as Asia.