A Tale of John the Apostle

East of Byzantium has an enjoyable read from St. Clement of Alexandria on his blog. It begins thus:

Listen to a tale which is not just a tale but a true account of John the apostle, handed down and carefully remembered. When the tyrant was dead, and John had moved from Patmos to Ephesus, he used to go when asked to the neighboring districts of the Gentile peoples, sometimes to appoint bishops, sometimes to organize whole churches, sometimes to ordain one person of those pointed out by the Spirit. So it happened that he arrived at a city not far off, named by some as Smyrna, and after settling various problems of the brethren, he finally looked at the bishop already appointed, and indicating a youngster he had noticed of excellent physique, attractive appearance, and ardent spirit, he said: “I leave this young an in your keeping, with all earnestness, in the presence of the Church and Christ as my witness.” When the Bishop accepted him and promised everything, John addressed the same appeal and adjuration a second time.

The full article is here. I really like the blog, but wish he had more time to post.