Personal fourth-century letters that have survived from Christians in Egypt testify that Christians were seeking healing from God through the prayers of trusted holy men.[31] Other probably fourth-century sources likewise indicate that a ministry of healing continued in other parts of the church, although this activity may have become a clerical rather than a lay prerogative.[32] We have no way to verify these reports today, but they do illustrate continuing belief in miracles and in many cases first- or secondhand claims of having witnessed them.
