n or malicious havoc
was exercised against the relics, and even the books of the monasteries.
With the habit and profession of monks, the public and private worship
of images was rigorously proscribed; and it should seem, that a solemn
abjuration of idolatry was exacted from the subjects, or at least from
the clergy, of the Eastern empire. [25]

[Footnote 21: The holy confessor Theophanes approves the principle
of their rebellion, (p. 339.) Gregory II. (in Epist. i. ad Imp. Leon.
Concil. tom. viii. p. 661, 664) applauds the zeal of the Byzantine women
who killed the Imperial officers.]

[Footnote 22: John, or Mansur, was a noble Christian of Damascus, who
held a considerable office in the service of the caliph. His zeal in the
cause of images exposed him to the resentment and treachery of the Greek
emperor; and on the suspicion of a treasonable correspondence, he was
deprived of his right hand, which was miraculously restored by the
Virgin. After this deliverance, he resigned his office, distributed
his wealth, and buried himself in the monastery of St. Sabas, between
Jerusalem and the Dead Sea. The legend is famous; but his learned
editor, Father Lequien, has a unluckily proved that St. John Damascenus
was already a monk before the Iconoclast dispute, (Opera, tom. i. Vit.
St. Joan. Damascen. p. 10-13, et Notas ad loc.)]

[Footnote 23: After sending Leo to the devil, he introduces his heir,
(Opera, Damascen. tom. i. p. 625.) If the authenticity of this piece
be suspicious, we are sure that in other works, no longer extant,
Damascenus bestowed on Constantine the titles. (tom. i. p. 306.)]

[Footnote 2311: The patriarch Anastasius, an Iconoclast under Leo, an
image worshipper under Artavasdes, was scourged, led through the streets
on an ass, with his face to the tail; and, reinvested in his dignity,
became again the obsequious minister of Constantine in his Iconoclastic
persecutions. See Schlosser p. 211.--M.]

[Footnote 2312: Compare Schlosser, p. 228-234.--M.]

[Footnote 24: In the narrative of this persecution from Theophanes and
Cedreves, Spanheim (p. 235-238) is happy to compare the Draco of Leo
with the dragoons (Dracones) of Louis XIV.; and highly solaces himself
with the controversial pun.]

[Footnote 25: (Damascen. Op. tom. i. p. 625.) This oath and subscription
I do not remember to have seen in any modern compilation]

The patient East abjured, with reluctance, her sacred images; they were
fondly cheris