<P> Hippolytus of Rome (ca . AD 200) describes Hades with similar details: the bosom of Abraham for the souls of the righteous, fiery torment for the souls of wicked, and a chasm between them . He equates the fires of Hades with the lake of fire described in the Book of Revelation, but specifies that no one will actually be cast into the fire until the end times . </P> <P> In some European countries, the Latin description dives (Latin for "the rich man") is treated as his proper name: Dives . In Italy, the description epulone (Italian for "banquetter") is also used as a proper name . Both descriptions appear together, but not as a proper name, in Peter Chrysologus's sermon De divite epulone (Latin "On the Rich Banquetter"), corresponding to the verse, "There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day". </P> <P> The story was frequently told in an elaborated form in the medieval period, treating it as factual rather than a parable . Lazarus was venerated as a patron saint of lepers . In the 12th century, crusaders in the Kingdom of Jerusalem founded the Order of Saint Lazarus . </P> <P> The story was often shown in art, especially carved at the portals of churches, at the foot of which beggars would sit (for example at Moissac and Saint - Sernin, Toulouse), pleading their cause . There is a surviving stained - glass window at Bourges Cathedral . </P>

Story of the rich man and the poor man in the bible