It will not be out of place here, I conceive, to give some account of Sisinnius. He was, as I have often said, a remarkably eloquent man, and well-instructed in philosophy. But he had particularly cultivated logic, and was profoundly skilled in the interpretation of the holy Scriptures; insomuch that the heretic Eunomius often shrank from the acumen which his reasoning displayed. As regards his diet he was not simple; for although he practised the strictest moderation, yet his table was always sumptuously furnished. He was also accustomed to indulge himself by wearing white garments, and bathing twice a day in the public baths. And when some one asked him why he, a bishop, bathed himself twice a day? he replied, Because it is inconvenient to bathe thrice. Going one day from courtesy to visit the bishop Arsacius, he was asked by one of the friends of that bishop, why he wore a garment so unsuitable for a bishop? and where it was written that an ecclesiastic should be clothed in white? Do you tell me first, said he, where it is written that a bishop should wear black? When he that made the inquiry knew not what to reply to this counter-question: You cannot show, rejoined Sisinnius, that a priest should be clothed in black. But Solomon is my authority, whose exhortation is, Let thy garments be white. And our Saviour in the Gospels appears clothed in white raiment: moreover he showed Moses and Elias to the apostles, clad in white garments. His prompt reply to these and other questions called forth the admiration of those present. Again when Leontius bishop of Ancyra in Galatia Minor, who had taken away a church from the Novatians, was on a visit to Constantinople, Sisinnius went to him, and begged him to restore the church. But he received him rudely, saying, Ye Novatians ought not to have churches; for ye take away repentance, and shut out Divine mercy. As Leontius gave utterance to these and many other such revilings against the Novatians, Sisinnius replied: No one repents more heartily than I do. And when Leontius asked him Why do you repent? That I came to see you, said he. On one occasion John the bishop having a contest with him, said, The city cannot have two bishops. Nor has it, said Sisinnius. John being irritated at this response, said, You see you pretend that you alone are the bishop. I do not say that, rejoined Sisinnius; but that I am not bishop in your estimation only, who am such to others. John being still more chafed at this reply, said, I will stop your preaching; for you are a heretic. To which Sisinnius good-humoredly replied, I will give you a reward, if you will relieve me from so arduous a duty. John being softened a little by this answer, said, I will not make you cease to preach, if you find speaking so troublesome. So facetious was Sisinnius, and so ready at repartee: but it would be tedious to dwell further on his witticisms.
