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These and many other things of this kind Cornelius wove into his account concerning the life and character and deeds of Fabianus. He also inserted a story worthy of remembrance: that there was at Alexandria a certain Serapion, one of those who had lapsed, who often begged to be received, yet did not obtain it; then he was overcome by an illness, so that for three days he lay speechless. On the third day he recovered a little and called his grandson to him and said: 'How long will you detain me? I beg you, let someone quickly summon a presbyter, that I may at last be released.' And when he had said this, he again remained without voice.
The boy ran off to the presbyter; it was night-time, and the presbyter was sick and could not come. Nevertheless, because a command had been given by me that to none of the lapsed at the point of death should the consolation of reconciliation be denied, and especially to those who could be shown to have asked for it beforehand, he gave a little of the Eucharist to the boy who had come to him, bidding that it be moistened and administered to the old man. As the boy was returning, before he entered the house, Serapion again looked up and said: 'Have you come back, my son? Even though the presbyter could not come, yet do you fulfil what has been commanded you, that I may depart.' And when the sacred rite was completed, as though certain chains and bonds had been broken, he yielded up his spirit, now more joyful.
Dionysius also wrote a letter to Novatus himself, of which the copy is as follows: 'You will show, in this matter, if you cease willingly. It would indeed have been fitting to suffer all things rather than that the Church should be rent asunder; and this martyrdom, to avoid schism, is no less glorious than that which avoids sacrificing to idols; nay, in my judgment it is even greater. For there a man endures martyrdom for his own soul alone, but in this for the whole Church. But now, whether you persuade or bring back the brethren, the merit will be greater than was the fault of the offence committed, since the fault will no longer be reckoned against you, and this will even be counted worthy of praise. But if they remain in unbelief, save your own soul while you may. Farewell, desiring peace.' He also wrote concerning the repentance of the lapsed, in which he laid down for them rules of penance.
But many other most approved writings of Dionysius are also reported. He wrote on repentance, and a little book of exhortation on martyrdom addressed to Origen, and works to the Laodiceans and to the Armenians on repentance. To Cornelius also, bishop of the city of Rome, he wrote very many letters, in one of which he indicates that he had been invited by Helenus of Cappadocia and Theoctistus of Palestine to go to a synod at Antioch, because certain men there were attempting to sow the doctrines of Novatus; and he adds that, Fabianus bishop of Antioch having died, Demetrianus succeeded him in the episcopate. He also writes concerning the bishop of Jerusalem in these words:
There is also another letter of this same Dionysius written to the Romans concerning ministries, and likewise another to them concerning peace and repentance, and one to certain confessors who were still in the city of Rome following Novatus. And again, writing to many others in various and diverse ways, he left behind for the studious a most copious material of instruction and doctrine. [The chapter headings of the seventh book:] Concerning Cyprian, and that he decreed heretics should be rebaptized. Concerning the peace which came about after the persecution. Concerning the revelation which was made to bishop Dionysius by the Lord on account of the reading of heretical books. Concerning those things which [were decreed] against Dionysius or the other bishops of Egypt. Concerning those who at Caesarea in Palestine [were] martyrs. Placing the numbers twice, under the number eleven repeating two chapters, omitting one chapter; whence in the preface it stands thus: 'Twenty chapters of the seventh book begin.'
comprising two chapters, omitting one; whence in the preface it stands thus: 'Twenty chapters of the seventh book begin.' Concerning Cyprian, and that he decreed heretics should be rebaptized. Concerning the peace which came about after the persecution. Concerning the revelation which was made to bishop Dionysius by the Lord on account of the reading of heretical books. Concerning those things which [were decreed] against Dionysius or the other bishops of Egypt. Concerning those who at Caesarea in Palestine [were] martyrs. Placing the numbers twice, under the number eleven repeating two chapters, omitting one chapter; whence in the preface it stands thus: 'Twenty chapters of the seventh book begin.'