(END OF 4TH CENT.)
[This Palladius is not to be confounded with the author of the
Historia Lausiaca. He is mentioned by Theodoret, who relates of him
all that is known.]
Palladius was a friend of Simeon the Ancient; they often met to
encourage one another in the practice of self-denial and prayer. One
incident in the life of this hermit has been alone transmitted to us.
Not far from his cell was a frequented market. A merchant who had been
at it was waylaid, robbed and murdered by a man who, after having done
the deed, cast the body by the door of the hermit's cell. Next day a
crowd assembled, instigated by the murderer, and with threatening looks
and words, they broke open the hermit's door, and drew him forth,
charging him with the murder. Then Palladius raised his hands and eyes
to heaven and prayed. And when his prayer was concluded, he turned to
the corpse and said, "Young man, designate the murderer!" Thereupon the
dead man partly rose, raised his hand and pointed at him who had killed
him; and when he was apprehended, articles belonging to the deceased
were discovered upon him.