Library Theodoret Compendium of Heretical Fables
Book 3
On the Nicolaitans
The heresy of the Nicolaitans arose not only from folly but also from incontinence. Clement taught more clearly the matters concerning it. He said that Nicolas was one of the seven deacons whom the choir of the apostles ordained for the care of the widows. Having a beautiful wife, he was accused before the apostles of receiving the passion of jealousy. Trying to turn aside this reputation, he brought the woman into the midst and allowed whoever wished to have fellowship with her—not legislating this, but refuting the slander of the accusers.
From this, some who took in the worst way what he did for the aforementioned reason legislated that wives should be held in common. But Clement said that Nicolas was among those illustrious for temperance, and that he trained his children in purity beyond nature, and that the son remained unmarried and the daughters virgins. From which those who practice the aforementioned incontinence are not least refuted for falsely naming themselves from this man’s designation. Against these the aforementioned Clement also wrote, and Irenaeus, and Origen, and Hippolytus the bishop and martyr.
Greek: Theodoret of Cyrus, Haereticarum fabularum compendium / Αἱρετικῆς κακομυθίας ἐπιτομή (CPG 6223; PG 83, 336–556). English: study translation for BWAB Library—not a modern copyrighted translation. The full five books are hosted here.