Epiphanius of Salamis

Epiphanius of Salamis (Ἐπιφάνιος, c. 310-320 – 403) was bishop of Salamis, Cyprus, at the end of the 4th century. He is considered a saint and a Church Father by both the Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches.

Quotes

 * It is a horrid abomination to see in Christian temples a painted image either of Christ or of any saint.
 * Epistle to Hieron, as cited by John Calvin in Institutes of the Christian Religion


 * One day Saint Epiphanius sent someone to Abba Hilarion with this request, 'Come, and let us see one another before we depart from the body.' When he came, they rejoiced in each other's company. During their meal, they were brought a fowl; Epiphanius took it and gave it to Hilarion. Then the old man said to him, 'Forgive me, but since I received the habit I have not eaten meat that has been killed.' Then the bishop answered, 'Since I took the habit, I have not allowed anyone to go to sleep with a complaint against me and I have not gone to rest with a complaint against anyone.' The old man replied, 'Forgive me, your way of life is better than mine.'
 * The Sayings of the Desert Fathers, as translated by Benedicta Ward, SLG