Sermo 16
Leo says that the Satan works through heretics. He mentions Marcion, Sabellius, Photinus, Arius, and Eunomius. But, he says, recently the Satan "built his stronghold on the insanity of Manichaeans." Then Leo announce that he will speak about details detected by his investigation:
4. [...] As bishops and presbyters sat here with me, while Christian men and nobles were gathered together in the same assembly, we commanded their "Elect Men" and "Elect Women" to present themselves. When they had disclosed many things about the twistedness of their doctrine and the practices at their festivals, they proceeded to bring out that crime which is too shameful to utter. So carefully had it been investigated that no doubt could remain even for those who were less inclined to believe it or for those who cast aspersions [upon the allegations]. Every person who had been involved in perpetrating that unspeak- able crime was present, namely, the ten-year-old girl, the two women who had raised her and prepared her for the disgrace, as well as the young man who violated the girl and the bishop who directed them in this despicable crime. All these made a single, consistent confession as that execrable thing which our ears could scarcely bear was brought out into the open. Lest we offend pure ears by speaking about this more openly, the records of these deeds suffice to demonstrate without any shadow of a doubt that no modesty, no honor, no chastity at all has been found in this sect where falsehood constitutes their law, the devil their religion, and turpitude their sacrifice.
In what follows, Leo warns his listeners, especially women, not to join Manichaeans. He encourages to denounce any known Manichaeans and to inform about their meetings.
(trans. Freeland and Conway 1996: 61-62)
