The Idolatry of Reputation
Serapion Sindonites was devout monk from the fourth century who memorised the Scriptures, practised great spiritual discipline, and—surprisingly—never wore clothes apart from a loincloth. According to his hagiographer, towards the end of his life, Serapion meets a pious virgin who lives in solitude. He asks her whether she is alive in Christ and thus dead to the world. She confirms this is the case, claiming that anyone who lives a life of solitude, like her, is dead to the flesh. To prove this, Serapion asks something astonishing of her: “Follow my example and take off all your clothes, put them on your shoulders, and go through the middle of the city with me leading the way in this fashion.” Horrified, she responds, “I should scandalize many by the unseemliness of the thing, and they would be able to say, ‘She is mad and possessed by a demon.’” He replied, “What does it concern you if they should say? … For you are dead to them” (Palladius, Lausiac History , XXXVII.13-15). In a worl