A month later, Stepan was deposed, and permitted to retire to his convent near Nicomedia, and Hagopos was installed in his place.
Before this, Hohannes had been thrown into the patriarchal prison, without even the form of an accusation; but every one knew that his crime consisted in following the Bible, rather than the Church.
Boghos Fizika was arrested, and cast into the same prison; and four days after, they were both banished by an imperial firman.

Their place of exile was a convent near Cesarea, four hundred miles distant.

Stepan took leave of them with tears, well knowing the deep injustice of the act.

This was in the month of February, and the Turkish police-officer sent back word from Scutari, that Boghos, being an invalid, was too feeble to bear the fatigues and exposures of such a journey in that inclement season; but positive orders were returned to carry him to Cesarea, either dead or alive.

Nicomedia lay on their route; and the brethren of that place hastened in a body to the post-house, and had a season of prayer with the exiles, which greatly comforted them.