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PALLADIUS.
PALLADIUS, Originally of Galatia, Evagrius his Disciple, left his Country at Twenty Years of Age, in the Year 388 a 1.1, and went into Egypt, to learn of the Monks of that place the Exercises of the Monastick life. Being arrived at Alexandria, he addressed him∣self * 1.2 to Isidore to be advised by him; who committed him to the Conduct of a Monk, who lived in a Cave near Alexandria. But Palladius not being able to undergo the Austerities practised by that Monk, was forced to leave him; but nevertheless he continued three Years in the Monasteries about Alexandria: afterwards he undertook to visit those of Nitria and Thebais, and he stay'd a great while in those solitary places: But falling sick of a dangerous Distemper, he returned to Alexandria, and put himself into the hands of the Physicians there, who advised him to go into Palaestine, where the Air might agree with him better. From Palestine he came to Bithynia, where he was ordained Bishop of Helenopolis in 401. Being one of S. Chrysostom's Friends, when that Saint was condemned, he was obliged to retire to the West, and returning to the East with the Deputies of the Western Bishops, he was put into Prison, and fent back with them. From the Bishoprick of Helenopolis, he was translated to that of Aspuna b 1.3; a City of Galatia under the Metropolitan of Ancyra. He was Ruffinus his Friend, and defended Origen, sided with Pelagius, and opposed S. Jerom. He writ in the Year 421. an History of the Life, Actions, Mi∣racles, and Discourses, of the holiest Monks that he had seen in Egypt, Libya, Thebais, and Palae∣stine. It is Dedicated to one Lausus, wherefore it has had the Name of Historia Lausiaca. This Relation, (as most other Works of this Nature) contains many extraordinary things. Among several Examples of sound Vertue, and useful Reflections, one may find childish Sentences, Ex∣amples dangerous to be followed, enormous Austerities, unreasonable Practices, and rash Under∣takings: The Stile of this History is flat, a meer Relation without Ornament or Order; it was Printed in Latin, in the Lives of the Fathers by Rosweidus, and in the Bibliotheca Patrum: The Greek was published by Meursius, and Printed at Amsterdam in the Year 1616. It is Prin∣ted likewise in Greek and Latin, in the Supplement to the Bibliotheca Patrum, in 1624. Cotelerius added some Greek Supplements in the last Volume of the Monuments of the Greek Church, Pag. 117, 158.
This same Palladius is thought to be the Author of S. Chrysostom's Life, and it is very likely. For, 1. The Stile of that work is like that of the Historia Lausiaca. 2. Palladius Author of the Historia Lausiaca was S. Chrysostom's Friend, and persecuted upon his Account. 3. It is certain, that the Author of S. Chrysostom's Life was called Palladius, and that he lived in the beginning of the Fifth Century. But there is no Palladius. known besides this. 4. It is manifest, that the Writer of S. Chrysostom's Life, was of the same party, and in the same Interest and Sentiments with Palladius of Helenopolis. 5. The Author of S. Chrysostom's Life is called Bishop of Heleno∣polis, in a Greek Catalogue of the Authors, that wrote S. Chrysostom's Life mentioned by Sir Henry Savile. The Greek Title of that Dialogue in the Florence Manuscript, which is Six hundred years old, beareth the Name of Palladius of Helenopolis; and it is observed in the Margin, that he was Bishop of Aspuna. Lastly, Diodorus of Trimithus saith, That the Author of S. Chryso∣stom's Life was Bishop in Bithynia. Yet some Conjectures seem to prove, that Palladius Author of S. Chrysostom's Life, and Paladius of Helenopolis are two different Persons: For, 1. The Wri∣ter of S. Chrysostom's Life speaks of the Voyage of Palladius of Helenopolis to Rome, as preceding his. 2. He speaks as if he writ the Dialogue which relates that Life, whilst Palladius of Hele∣nopolis was detained Prisoner in the East: Lastly, Palladius of Helenopolis was but Thirty nine years old when S. Chrysostom died, whereas the Author of the Dialogue makes Theodorus speak of him as of an ancient Bishop. These Reasons perswaded Bigotius, that Palladius Author of that Dialogue, was not Palladius. Disciple to Evagrius. Yet it is easie to Answer; That Palla∣dius feigned these things, after the Custom of Dialogists, perhaps to hide himself the better, being unwilling to be known to be the Author of that Treatise. However, this History is composed in the form of a Dialogue held at Rome, betwixt Theodorus Deacon of Rome and Bishop Palla∣dius. It contains S. Chrysostom's Condemnation, the History of his Life, and a Justification of the Accusations that were brought against him. It is written with great Plainness, but with much Exactness and Truth. It was formerly translated by Ambrosius Camaldulensis, but his Version was not sincere. Bigotius having since found a Manuscript in the Library of Florence, which contained the Greek Original of that Dialogue, caused it to be Printed, with a new Version on the side, composed with all the Fidelity and Exactness that can be expected from so able a Man. This Volume is Printed in Quarto at Paris by Martin, Ann. 1680.