(4TH CENT.)
[Roman and German Martyrologies. Authority for his life, Sozomen.]
Rhinoclusa, or Rinocorurus, was near the river of Egypt, dividing Egypt
from Palestine; of this city and monastic settlement S. Melas was
Bishop. Sozomen, in his Ecclesiastical History, gives the following
account of him (lib. vi. c. 31):--
"Rinocorurus was celebrated at this period, on account of the holy men
who were born and flourished there. I have heard that the most eminent
among them were Melas, the Bishop of the country; Denis and Solon, the
brothers and successors of Melas. When the decree went forth for the
ejection of all bishops opposed to Arianism, the officers appointed to
execute the mandate found Melas engaged in trimming the lights of the
church, and clad in an old cloak soiled with oil, fastened by a girdle.
When they asked him for the Bishop, he replied that he was within, and
that he would conduct them to him. As they were fatigued with their
journey, he led them to the episcopal dwelling, made them sit down at
his table, and placed before them such things as he had. After the
repast, he supplied them with water to wash their hands, and then told
them who he was. Amazed at his conduct, they confessed the mission on
which they had arrived; but, from respect to him, gave him full liberty
to go wherever he would. He, however, replied that he would not shrink
from the sufferings to which the other bishops, who maintained the same
sentiments as himself, were exposed, and that he was ready to go into
exile. He had been accustomed, from his youth up, to practise all the
virtues of asceticism. The Church of Rinocorurus, having been thus, from
the beginning, under the guidance of such exemplary bishops, never
afterwards swerved from their doctrine. The clergy of this Church dwell
in one house, sit at the same table, and have all things in common."