A Source Book for Ancient Church History - Mirrors

174 A Source Book for Ancient Church Historya state of ecstasy announced herself as a prophetess and acted [155]as if filled with the Holy Ghost. And she was so moved by thepower of the chief demons that for a long time she disturbedthe brethren and deceived them; for she accomplished certainwonderful and portentous things: thus, she promised that shewould cause the earth to be shaken, not that the power of thedemon was so great that he could shake the earth and disturb theelements, but that sometimes a wicked spirit, foreseeing and understandingthat there will be an earthquake, pretends that he willdo what he foresees will take place. By these lies and boastingshe had so subdued the minds of several that they obeyed himand followed whithersoever he commanded and led. He wouldalso make that woman walk in the bitter cold of winter withbare feet over the frozen snow, and not to be troubled or hurtin any respect by walking in this fashion. Moreover, she saidshe was hurrying to Judea and Jerusalem, pretending that shehad come thence. Here, also, she deceived Rusticus, one of thepresbyters, and another one who was a deacon, so that they hadintercourse with the same woman. This was shortly after detected.For there suddenly appeared before her one of the exorcists,a man approved and always well versed in matters of religiousdiscipline; he, moved by the exhortation of many of the brethren,also, who were themselves strong in the faith, and praiseworthy,raised himself up against that wicked spirit to overcome it; forthe spirit a little while before, by its subtle deceitfulness, hadpredicted, furthermore, that a certain adverse and unbelievingtempter would come. Yet that exorcist, inspired by God's grace,bravely resisted and showed that he who before was regarded asholy was a most wicked spirit. But that woman, who previously,by the wiles and deceits of the demon, was attempting manythings for the deception of the faithful, had among other thingsby which she deceived many also frequently dared this—to pretendthat with an invocation, not to be contemned, she sanctifiedbread and consecrated the eucharist and offered sacrifice to the