The Parabalani (Late Latin parabalānī, "persons who risk their lives as nurses", from Ancient Greek: παραβαλανεῖς) or Parabolani (from παραβολᾶνοι or παράβολοι)^[1] were the members of a brotherhood, who in early Christianity voluntarily undertook the care of the sick and the burial of the dead, knowing that they themselves could die.

Generally drawn from the lower strata of society, they also functioned as attendants to local bishops and were sometimes used by them as bodyguards and in violent clashes with their opponents.

History

The parabalani had neither orders nor vows, but were enumerated among the clergy and enjoyed clerical privileges and immunities. In addition to performing works of mercy they constituted a bodyguard for the bishop. Their presence at public gatherings or in the theaters was forbidden by law. At times they took a very active part in ecclesiastical controversies, as at the Second Council of Ephesus. They received their name from the fact that they were hospital attendants, although the alternative name parabolani also became current, because they risked their lives (παραβάλλεσθαι τὴν ζωήν) in exposing themselves to contagious diseases.

It has been alleged, though without sufficient proof, that the brotherhood was first organized during the great plague in Alexandria in the episcopate of Pope Dionysius of Alexandria (second half of the 3rd century). Though they took vows before the bishop and officially remained under his control, the Codex Theodosianus placed them instead under the command of the praefectus augustalis, the imperial governor of Roman Egypt.

During the time when Orestes was Prefect of Roman Egypt, the parabalani are believed to have been who murdered the philosopher and scientist Hypatia in Alexandria in 415.^[2] According to Byzantinist Adrian Fortescue, however, "In March of 415, a mob of Christians, led by the Parabolani and by a Lector named Peter, cruelly tore her to pieces on the steps of a church. Various writers have suggested more or less plainly that the Patriarch was involved in the crime. Sokrates does not say so plainly, but he implies it and adds a solemn moral reflection. As a matter of fact, not only is there no sort of evidence that he had anything to do with it, there are positive reasons for knowing that he had not. After the murder, a deputation of citizens went to Constantinople to petition the Emperor to prevent such horrors in the future and to put down the disorderly Parabolani, and the first means they urge for that purpose is that the Patriarch should stay in the city (Orestes wanted him banished). Moreover, if ever a man had bitter enemies it was Cyril. Wilful murder was considered just as unsuitable conduct for bishops in the fifth century as it is now. Why, during all the fierce conflict with the Nestorians, when they brought up every possible charge against him, did no one think of calling him Hypatia's murderer? Although to accuse our Saint of this horrid story is a gross calumny, there is no doubt that in other ways he did give annoyance to the government."^[3]

Because their actions resulted in many other riots, successive Imperial laws limited their numbers:^[1] thus a law issued in 416 restricted the enrollment in Alexandria to 500, a number increased two years later to 600.^[4] In Constantinople, the number was further restricted from 1100 to 950.^[5] According to Fortescue, the parabolani, whom he says, "were not nice people", seem to have disappeared by Emperor Justinian I's time.^[6]

In film

In the 2009 film Agora, focusing on the life of Hypatia, the parabolani start out as Christian volunteers who distribute bread to the poor, but gradually turn into fanatical death squads who murder pagans, Jews, and fellow Christians who oppose fundamentalist Patriarch Cyril of Alexandria.