Orosius refers the circumstances of the assembly concerning Pelagius presided over by Bishop John in Jerusalem in AD 415. He relates that he was invited to the assembly to refer the rise of the Pelagian controversy in North Africa (see [954]).

 

3. [...] I explained as briefly as I could to your gathering that Caelestius, who was by this time stealthily advancing towards the office of the presbyterate, had been given a hearing at Carthage before a great number of bishops sitting in judgment, been found guilty, confessed, been denounced by the Church, and made his escape from Africa. I went on to say that the blessed Augustine wrote a most detailed response, indeed, to the book of Pelagius, addressed to Pelagius's own disciples who were appearing in public and making attacks. I stated that I also had in my possession a letter by the above-named bishop, which he not long ago had arranged to send on to Sicily and in which he refuted the many arguments of the heretics. You instructed me to read that letter then and there, and I did so. In response to this, Bishop John demanded that Pelagius be admitted in person. In deference to his position as patriarch and for the good of the proceedings, since you believed that it would be more proper for Pelagius to be condemned to his face by the bishop, approval for his admission was granted.

 

(trans. Hanson 1999: 118-119)