Michael Psellus on the Operation of Daemons

To commit their debaucheries to writing would only befit the impure pen of Archilochus a Greek poet known for his biting, coarse satire. Indeed, I think that were he present, he would be loath to commemorate orgies so detestable and vile—such as were never witnessed in Greece, nor in any barbarous land. For where or when did anyone ever hear that man, that august and sacred animal, ate excretions, whether moist or dry? This is a monstrosity which I believe not even wild beasts in a rabid state are capable of committing, and yet this is only the preliminary proceeding with these execrable wretches.

TIMOTHY.—What is the purpose of this, Thracian?

THRACIAN.—Oh, this is one of their secrets—they know best who do it. However, upon my frequently questioning them on this point, all I could learn was that the demons become friendly and affable upon their partaking of the excretions. In this particular, I was satisfied they spoke the truth, though they are incapable of speaking it in other matters. Nothing can be so eminently gratifying to hostile spirits as to see man—who is an object of envy and who has been honored with the Divine image—fallen to such a state of degradation. This is the finishing stroke on their folly. Nor is this confined to the leaders of the dogma 10: It is remarkable that in the whole course of this treatise, Psellus, when speaking of the most revolting doctrines, never once employs the term "heresy," but "dogma," which his Latin translator improperly renders as "heresy." Is this because the word "heresy" was unknown to Psellus as a term of reproach, or because he felt the term was inappropriate for the doctrine of a sect? In Scripture, "heresy" (hairesis) is used indifferently for good or bad sects, meaning "division" or "party," not a specific false opinion. Dr. Campbell correctly notes that the term "heretic" in the New Testament refers to a factious person who creates divisions, rather than someone holding a specific erroneous opinion. (to whom they attach the title of "Apostles"), but extends to the Euchitæ and the Gnosti.