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ABOUT this time Mark, who had succeeded Silvester, and who had
held the episcopal sway during a short period, died, and Julius was
raised to the see of Rome. Maximus succeeded Macarius in the
bishopric of Jerusalem. It is said that Macarius had ordained him
bishop over the church of Diospolis, but that the members of the
church of Jerusalem insisted upon his remaining among them. For since
he was a confessor, and otherwise excellent, he was secretly chosen
beforehand in the approbation of the people for their bishopric, after
that Macarius should die. The dread of offending the people and
exciting an insurrection led to the election of another bishop over
Diospolis, and Maximus remained in Jerusalem, and exercised the
priestly functions conjointly with Macarius; and after the death of
this latter, he governed that church. It is, however, well known to
those who are accurately acquainted with these circumstances, that
Macarius concurred with the people in their desire to retain Maximus;
for it is said that he regretted the ordination of Maximus, and
thought that he ought necessarily to have been reserved for his own
succession on account of his holding right views concerning God and his
confession, which had so endeared him to the people. He likewise
feared that, at his death, the adherents of Eusebius and
Patrophilus, who had embraced Arianism, would take that opportunity
to place one of their own views in his see; for even while Macarius
was living, they had attempted to introduce some innovations, but
since they were to be separated from him, they on this account kept
quiet.
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