“But know now, brother, that those churches which were formerly divided, both throughout the East and still farther beyond, have been united; and all the leaders everywhere are of one mind, rejoicing exceedingly at the peace that has come beyond expectation: Demetrian at Antioch, Theoctistus at Caesarea, Mazabanes at Aelia, Marinus at Tyre (Alexander having fallen asleep), Heliodorus at Laodicea (Thelymidres having gone to his rest), Helenus at Tarsus and all the churches of Cilicia, Firmilian and all Cappadocia. For I have named only the more eminent of the bishops, so that I may neither add length to the letter nor weight to my discourse.
Moreover all the Syrias and Arabia, whom ye constantly aid and to whom ye have now written, and Mesopotamia and Pontus and Bithynia, and, in a word, all men everywhere exult in the concord and brotherly love, glorifying God.”
Thus far Dionysius. And Stephen, having fulfilled his ministry for two years, was succeeded by Xystus. To him Dionysius wrote a second letter on Baptism, in which he makes known the opinion and judgment both of Stephen and of the rest of the bishops, saying this concerning Stephen:
“He had, then, written formerly concerning Helenus and Firmilian and all those from Cilicia and Galatia and all the bordering nations next to them, that he would not hold communion with them either, for this same reason—because, he says, they rebaptize heretics.
And consider the magnitude of the matter. For decrees on this question have in fact been passed in the greatest synods of bishops, as I learn, to the effect that those who come over from heresy are first to be placed under instruction, then washed and cleansed afresh from the defilement of the old and impure leaven. And concerning all these things I wrote, entreating him.”
And after other remarks he says: “And to our beloved fellow-presbyters also, Dionysius and Philemon, who had formerly been of one mind with Stephen and were writing to me about these same matters, I wrote—formerly briefly, but now at greater length.” But so much concerning the question here set forth.