(4TH CENT.)
[Greek Anthology and Menæa. Authority:--A life written by one
Christinus, a contemporary, and native of Lampsacus, and probably a
disciple.]
S. Parthenius, a native of Melitopolis, as a boy, occupied his leisure
in fishing. He sold the fish he caught, and gave the proceeds to the
poor. He was afterwards ordained Bishop of Lampsacus, and having
obtained from Constantine authority to overthrow the heathen temples
and idols, he destroyed those in his city. The story is told of him
that having ordered an evil spirit to leave a man who for many years
had been possessed, the evil spirit asked first to be given an
habitation. "I know thee," cried the demon, "thou wilt cast me out,
and bid me enter into a swine." "Nay, verily," answered the saint, "I
will offer thee a man to dwell in." Then the devil came out of the
man, and the Bishop said, "Come now, thou foul spirit, I am the man.
Enter into me if thou canst." Then the devil cried out that he could
not abide in a tabernacle kept holy to God, and so fled away.