Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series • VOLUME 2
Socrates and Sozomen — Ecclesiastical Histories
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Chapter XXVII.--Macedonius having possessed himself of the See of Constantinople inflicts much Injury on those who differ from him.
Chapter XXVII.--Macedonius having possessed himself of the See of Constantinople inflicts much Injury on those who differ from him. At that time Paul having been removed in the manner described, Macedonius became ruler of the churches in Constantinople; who, acquiring very great ascendancy over the emperor, stirred up a war amo…
1,446 wordsSECTION 42Chapter XXIX.--Of the Heresiarch Photinus.
Chapter XXIX.--Of the Heresiarch Photinus. During this time Photinus, [354] who then presided over the church in that city more openly avowed the creed he had devised; wherefore a tumult being made in consequence, the emperor ordered a Synod of bishops to be held at Sirmium. There were accordingly convened there of the Oriental…
2,276 wordsSECTION 43Chapter XXXI.--Of Hosius, Bishop of Cordova.
They endeavored to induce Photinus, even after his deposition, to assent to and subscribe these things, promising to restore him his bishopric, if by recantation he would anathematize the dogma he had invented, and adopt their opinion. But he did not accept their proposal, and on the other hand he challenged them to a disputatio…
719 wordsSECTION 44Chapter XXXII.--Overthrow of the Usurper Magnentius.
Chapter XXXII.--Overthrow of the Usurper Magnentius. Magnentius in the meanwhile having made himself master of the imperial city Rome, put to death many members of the senatorial council, as well as many of the populace. But as soon as the commanders under Constantius had collected an army of Romans, and commenced their march a…
771 wordsSECTION 45Chapter XXXV.--Of Aëtius the Syrian, Teacher of Eunomius.
Chapter XXXV.--Of Aëtius the Syrian, Teacher of Eunomius. At Antioch in Syria another heresiarch sprang up, Aëtius, surnamed Atheus. He agreed in doctrine with Arius, and maintained the same opinions: but separated himself from the Arian party because they had admitted Arius into communion. For Arius, as I have before related, …
950 wordsSECTION 46Chapter XXXVII.--Of the Synod at Ariminum, and the Creed there published. [391]
Chapter XXXVII.--Of the Synod at Ariminum, and the Creed there published. [391] The emperor on being apprised of what had taken place, sent these three bishops into exile; and determined to convene an ecumenical council, that by drawing all the Eastern bishops into the West, he might if possible bring them all to agree. But whe…
2,027 wordsSECTION 47Epistle of the Synod of Ariminum to the Emperor Constantius.
Epistle of the Synod of Ariminum to the Emperor Constantius. We believe that it was by the appointment of God, as well as at the command of your piety, that the decrees formerly published have been executed. Accordingly we Western bishops came out of various districts to Ariminum, in order that the faith of the catholic church …
2,205 wordsSECTION 48Chapter XXXVIII.--Cruelty of Macedonius, and Tumults raised by him.
[399] Athan. de Synod. 8. [400] This appeal to antiquity, as the test of truth, is very common with the earlier Fathers; cf. Eusebius' treatment of the Scriptures of the New Testament, H. E. III. 3, 24, 25, et al. [401] Isa. i. 2; Hos. i. 1. [402] Jer. i. 2. [403] Luke ii. 1. [404] Athan, de Synod. 10. The Latin original wh…
2,160 wordsSECTION 49Chapter XXXIX.--Of the Synod at Seleucia, in Isauria.
Chapter XXXIX.--Of the Synod at Seleucia, in Isauria. But I must now give an account of the other Synod, which the emperor's edict had convoked in the east, as a rival to that of Ariminum. It was at first determined that the bishops should assemble at Nicomedia in Bithynia; but a great earthquake having nearly destroyed that ci…
912 wordsSECTION 50Chapter XL.--Acacius, Bishop of Cæsarea, dictates a new Form of Creed in the Synod at Seleucia.
Chapter XL.--Acacius, Bishop of Cæsarea, dictates a new Form of Creed in the Synod at Seleucia. Acacius and his adherents criticised what was done: because, that is to say, they closed the church doors and thus affixed their signatures; declaring that all such secret transactions were justly to be suspected, and had no validity…
2,175 wordsSECTION 51Chapter XLI.--On the Emperor's Return from the West, the Acacians assemble at Constantinople, and confirm the Creed of Ariminum, after making Some Additions to it.
Chapter XLI.--On the Emperor's Return from the West, the Acacians assemble at Constantinople, and confirm the Creed of Ariminum, after making Some Additions to it. And now the emperor returned from the West and appointed a prefect over Constantinople, Honoratus by name, having abolished the office of proconsul. [427] But the Ac…
1,003 wordsSECTION 52Chapter XLII.--On the Deposition of Macedonius, Eudoxius obtains the Bishopric of Constantinople.
Chapter XLII.--On the Deposition of Macedonius, Eudoxius obtains the Bishopric of Constantinople. Acacius, Eudoxius, and those at Constantinople who took part with them, became exceedingly anxious that they also on their side might depose some of the opposite party. Now it should be observed that neither of the factions were in…
1,132 wordsSECTION 53Chapter XLIV.--Of Meletius [445] Bishop of Antioch.
Chapter XLIV.--Of Meletius [445] Bishop of Antioch. It becomes us now to speak of Meletius, who, as we have recently observed, was created bishop of Sebastia in Armenia, after the deposition of Eustathius; from Sebastia he was transferred to Beroea, a city of Syria. Being present at the Synod of Seleucia, he subscribed the cree…
1,201 wordsSECTION 54Chapter XLVI.--Of the Apollinarians, and their Heresy. [455]
Chapter XLVI.--Of the Apollinarians, and their Heresy. [455] There were two men of the same name at Laodicea in Syria, a father and son: their name was Apollinaris; the former of them was a presbyter, and the latter a reader in that church. Both taught Greek literature, the father grammar, and the son rhetoric. The father was a…
2,830 wordsSECTION 55Chapter II.--Of the Sedition excited at Alexandria, and how George was slain.
[458] December, 361 a.d. This proclamation must be distinguished from the one in Gaul (II. 47); the latter was the proclamation by the army, and occurred during the lifetime of Constantius. [459] Cf. I. 1. [460] See Bingham, Eccl. Antiq. VI. 4, end. [461] The reader,' anagnostes , lector, was commonly a young man possessed of…
1,707 wordsSECTION 56Chapter IV.--On the Death of George, Athanasius returns to Alexandria, and takes Possession of his See.
Chapter IV.--On the Death of George, Athanasius returns to Alexandria, and takes Possession of his See. Not long after this, Athanasius returning from his exile, was received with great joy by the people of Alexandria. They expelled at that time the Arians from the churches, and restored Athanasius to the possession of them. Th…
1,401 wordsSECTION 57Chapter VIII.--Quotations from Athanasius' Defense of his Flight.'
Chapter VIII.--Quotations from Athanasius' Defense of his Flight.' On this occasion Athanasius read to those present the Defense which he had composed some time before in justification of his flight; a few passages from which it may be of service to introduce here, leaving the entire production, which is too long to be transcri…
2,136 wordsSECTION 58Chapter X.--Of Hilary Bishop of Poictiers.
Chapter X.--Of Hilary Bishop of Poictiers. There, however, Hilary bishop of Poictiers (a city of Aquitania Secunda) had anticipated him, having previously confirmed the bishops of Italy and Gaul in the doctrines of the orthodox faith; for he first had returned from exile to these countries. Both therefore nobly combined their e…
713 wordsSECTION 59Chapter XII.--Of Maris Bishop of Chalcedon; Julian forbids Christians from entering Literary Pursuits.
Chapter XII.--Of Maris Bishop of Chalcedon; Julian forbids Christians from entering Literary Pursuits. About this time, Maris bishop of Chalcedon in Bithynia being led by the hand into the emperor's presence,--for on account of extreme old age he had a disease in his eyes termed cataract,'--severely rebuked his impiety, apostas…
903 wordsSECTION 60Chapter XIV.--Flight of Athanasius.
Chapter XIV.--Flight of Athanasius. But he fled again, saying to his intimates, Let us retire for a little while, friends; it is but a small cloud which will soon pass away.' He then immediately embarked, and crossing the Nile, hastened with all speed into Egypt, closely pursued by those who sought to take him. When he understo…
2,274 wordsSECTION 61Chapter XVIII.--The Emperor consulting an Oracle, the Demon gives no Response, being awed by the Nearness of Babylas the Martyr.
[536] metaboleis . Cf. metabole, used to designate all merchandising, Julius Pollux, III. 25; hence metaboleus , a retailer,' small merchant.' [537] Hence Gregory of Nazianus calls him kausitauros , a burner of bulls.' Chapter XVIII.--The Emperor consulting an Oracle, the Demon gives no Response, being awed by the Nearness of …
1,153 wordsSECTION 62Chapter XXI.--The Emperor's Invasion of Persia, and Death.
Chapter XXI.--The Emperor's Invasion of Persia, and Death. The emperor meanwhile invaded the country of the Persians a little before spring, having learnt that the races of Persia were greatly enfeebled and totally spiritless in winter. For from their inability to endure cold, they abstain from military service at that season, …
1,193 wordsSECTION 63Chapter XXIII.--Refutation of what Libanius the Sophist said concerning Julian.
Chapter XXIII.--Refutation of what Libanius the Sophist said concerning Julian. When the winter,' says he, [547] had lengthened the nights, the emperor made an attack on those books which made the man of Palestine both God, and the Son of God: and by a long series of arguments having proved that these writings, which are so muc…
2,245 wordsSECTION 64Chapter XXIV.--The Bishops flock around Jovian, each attempting to draw him to his own Creed.
The last of the heroes is Cleomedes, the Astypalian. Him honor with sacrifices; for he is no longer a mortal.' Because of this oracle Diogenes the cynic, and Oënomaus the philosopher, strongly condemned Apollo. The inhabitants of Cyzicus declared Hadrian to be the thirteenth god; and Adrian himself deified his own catamite Anti…
1,599 wordsSECTION 65Chapter XXVI.--Death of the Emperor Jovian.
Chapter XXVI.--Death of the Emperor Jovian. Thus did the emperor repress at that time the impetuosity of those who were disposed to cavil: and immediately departing from Antioch, he went to Tarsus in Cilicia, where he duly performed the funeral obsequies of Julian, after which he was declared consul. Proceeding thence directly …
1,400 wordsSECTION 66Chapter V.--Engagement between Valens and Procopius near Nacolia in Phrygia; after which the Usurper is betrayed by his Chief Officers, and with them put to Death.
Chapter V.--Engagement between Valens and Procopius near Nacolia in Phrygia; after which the Usurper is betrayed by his Chief Officers, and with them put to Death. Under the consulate [575] of Gratian and Dagalaïfus in the following year, the war was begun. For as soon as the usurper Procopius, leaving Constantinople, began his…
1,249 wordsSECTION 67Chapter VIII.--Of the Oracle found inscribed an a Stone, when the Walls of Chalcedon were demolished by Order of the Emperor Valens.
Chapter VIII.--Of the Oracle found inscribed an a Stone, when the Walls of Chalcedon were demolished by Order of the Emperor Valens. An order was issued by the emperor that the walls of Chalcedon, a city opposite to Byzantium, should be demolished: for he had sworn to do this, after he should have conquered the usurper, because…
1,040 wordsSECTION 68Chapter X.--Birth of Valentinian the Younger.
Chapter X.--Birth of Valentinian the Younger. Soon after the conclusion of this war, and under the same consulate, [589] a son was born to Valentinian, the emperor in the Western parts, to whom the same name as his father's was given. For Gratian had been born previously to his becoming emperor. [589] Sozomen (VI. 10) says the…
2,331 wordsSECTION 69Chapter XIV.--The Arians ordain Demophilus after the Death of Eudoxius at Constantinople; but the Orthodox Party constitute Evagrius his Successor.
When the adherents of Eustathius had received this letter, they proceeded to Sicily, where they caused a Synod of Sicilian bishops to be convened, and in their presence avowed the homoousian faith, and professed their adherence to the Nicene Creed: then having received from them also a letter to the same effect as the preceding,…
879 wordsSECTION 70Chapter XV.--The Emperor banishes Evagrius and Eustathius. The Arians persecute the Orthodox.
Chapter XV.--The Emperor banishes Evagrius and Eustathius. The Arians persecute the Orthodox. When this had been accomplished the Arians renewed their persecution of the Homoousians: and the emperor was very soon informed of what had taken place, and apprehending the subversion of the city in consequence of some popular tumult,…
1,224 wordsSECTION 71Chapter XIX.--Slaughter of Many Persons by Valens an Account of their Names, in Consequence of a Heathen Prediction. [614]
Chapter XIX.--Slaughter of Many Persons by Valens an Account of their Names, in Consequence of a Heathen Prediction. [614] The cruel disposition of the emperor was at this time abused by an execrable demon, who induced certain curious persons to institute an inquiry by means of necromancy as to who should succeed Valens on the …
825 wordsSECTION 72Chapter XXIII.--The Deeds of Some Holy Persons who devoted themselves to a Solitary Life. [617]
Chapter XXIII.--The Deeds of Some Holy Persons who devoted themselves to a Solitary Life. [617] Since I have referred to the monasteries of Egypt, it may be proper here to give a brief account of them. They were founded probably at a very early period, but were greatly enlarged and augmented by a devout man whose name was Ammou…
2,375 wordsSECTION 73Chapter XXIV.--Assault upon the Monks, and Banishment of their Superiors, who exhibit Miraculous Power.
These few extracts from Evagrius we thought it would be appropriate to insert here. There was another excellent man among the monks, named Ammonius, who had so little interest in secular matters, that when he went to Rome with Athanasius, he chose to investigate none of the magnificent works of that city, contenting himself with…
1,231 wordsSECTION 74Chapter XXV.--Of Didymus the Blind Man. [638]
Chapter XXV.--Of Didymus the Blind Man. [638] About the same period God brought into observation another faithful person, deeming it worthy that through him faith might be witnessed unto: this was Didymus, a most admirable and eloquent man, instructed in all the learning of the age in which he flourished. At a very early age, w…
1,769 wordsSECTION 75Chapter XXVII.--Of Gregory Thaumaturgus (the Wonder-Worker).
Chapter XXVII.--Of Gregory Thaumaturgus (the Wonder-Worker). But since from the likeness of the name, and the title of the books attributed to Gregory, persons are liable to confound very different parties, it is important to notice that Gregory of Pontus is a different person. He was a native of Neocæsarea in Pontus, of greate…
1,369 wordsSECTION 76Chapter XXIX.--Damasus ordained Bishop of Rome. Sedition and Loss of Life caused by the Rivalry of Ursinus.
Chapter XXIX.--Damasus ordained Bishop of Rome. Sedition and Loss of Life caused by the Rivalry of Ursinus. While the emperor Valentinian governed in peace, and interfered with no sect, Damasus after Liberius undertook the administration of the bishopric at Rome; [658] whereupon a great disturbance was caused on the following a…
784 wordsSECTION 77Chapter XXXI.--Death of Valentinian.
Chapter XXXI.--Death of Valentinian. The Sarmatæ after this having made incursions into the Roman territories, the emperor marched against them with a numerous army but when the barbarians understood the formidable nature of this expedition, they sent an embassy to him to sue for peace on certain conditions. As the ambassadors …
813 wordsSECTION 78Chapter XXXII.--The Emperor Valens, appeased by the Oration of Themistius the Philosopher, abates his Persecution of the Christians.
Chapter XXXII.--The Emperor Valens, appeased by the Oration of Themistius the Philosopher, abates his Persecution of the Christians. In the meanwhile Valens, making his residence at Antioch, was wholly undisturbed by foreign wars; for the barbarians on every side restrained themselves within their own boundaries. Nevertheless, …
894 wordsSECTION 79Chapter XXXIV.--Admission of the Fugitive Goths into the Roman Territories, which caused the Emperor's Overthrow, and eventually the Ruin of the Roman Empire.
Chapter XXXIV.--Admission of the Fugitive Goths into the Roman Territories, which caused the Emperor's Overthrow, and eventually the Ruin of the Roman Empire. Not long after the barbarians had entered into a friendly alliance with one another, they were again vanquished by other barbarians, their neighbors, called the Huns; and…
944 wordsSECTION 80Chapter XXXVII.--After the Departure of Valens from Antioch, the Alexandrians expel Lucius, and restore Peter, who had come with Letters from Damasus Bishop of Rome.
Chapter XXXVII.--After the Departure of Valens from Antioch, the Alexandrians expel Lucius, and restore Peter, who had come with Letters from Damasus Bishop of Rome. About the same time, as soon as the Emperor Valens left Antioch, all those who had anywhere been suffering persecution began again to take courage, and especially …
1,031 wordsSource & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.