E07004: The Greek Life of *Dalmatos (abbot in Constantinople, ob. c. 436, S01782) recounts the life of the second abbot of the Monastery of Dalmatos in Constantinople, focusing on his role in deposing the heretical bishop Nestorius. Written in Constantinople, possibly in the 6th century.

Life of Dalmatos (BHG 481-482)

Summary:

Dalmatos was a soldier of the Second Schola when Theodosius I visited Isaakios. He was so impressed by the holy man’s teaching that he decided to give up his career and marriage, and join the monastery. He released his wife, and let her return to her parents, while he and his young son Phaustos joined the monastery of Isaakios.

Once, on Ascension Day, Isaakios found Dalmatos sleeping, instead of joining the other monks at the service of the day. The latter reported that he had actually had a vision of himself attending the service at the church of the *Maccabean Martyrs [pre-Christian Jewish martyrs of Antioch, S00303] seated on a throne next to that of bishop Nectarius.

Some years later, during the episcopate of Nectarius, Isaakios died and the monks elected Dalmatos as their next abbot. Against his will, Dalmatos was ordained to the priesthood, 22 years after he had become a monk. He had been 30 years old when he became a monk, and lived for 16 years alongside Isaakios. Isaakios had lived for 22 years in Constantinople. Dalmatos was ordained in the second year of the reign of Arcadius (383 or 396?).

There follows an enumeration of episcopal successions in Constantinople from Nectarius (381-398) to Nestorius (428-431).

Nestorius’ heresy was revealed by a vision to Dalmatos who reproached Nestorius during the latter’s visitation to the monastery. During the Council of Ephesus (AD 431), no correspondence was allowed to reach Constantinople, except that of Nestorius. Yet the Fathers of the Council wrote a letter to Dalmatos, which reached him hidden in the rod of a beggar. Dalmatos, who had been living as a recluse for 48 years, came out of his cell and, having gathered the monks and abbots of the other monasteries and a crowd of lay people, marched to the imperial palace. He met the emperor and reported to him about the letter and Nestorius’ heresy. He then gathered his followers in the basilica of *Mokios [martyr of Byzantion, S01265], informed them about his meeting with the emperor, and released them. He convinced the emperor Theodosius II to accept the deposition of Nestorius, and wrote to the Council of Ephesus. The Council addressed five letters to Dalmatos, commanding that he and his successors be the superintendents (exarchos) of all the monasteries of Constantinople. This decision was ratified by the emperors.

Dalmatos died at the age of 85 during the episcopate of Proclus (434-446), leaving his son, Phaustos (Faustus), as his successor. His funeral was attended by a huge crowd. His body was taken to Saint Sophia for funeral, and was brought in a procession led by bishop Proclus back to the monastery. Three days later, the tomb produced myrrh, which effected cures. Dalmatos died on 2 August (feast of the invention of the relics of Stephen the First Martyr), and was buried on 3 August.

Proclus installed Phaustos as Dalmatos’ successor. Phaustos was also granted the grace of healing, and lived until the reign of Marcian (450-457).

Text: Gedeon 1899.
Summary: Efthymios Rizos.