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About this same time, under the seventeenth consulate of Theodosius,
Proclus the bishop undertook the performance of an act, such as no one
among the ancients had done. Firmus bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia
being dead, the inhabitants of that place came to Constantinople to
consult Proclus about the appointment of a bishop. While Proclus was
considering whom he should prefer to that see, it so happened that all
the senators came to the church to visit him on the sabbath day; among
whom was Thalassius also, a man who had administered the government of
the nations and cities of Illyricum. And as it was reported that the
emperor was about to entrust the government of the Eastern parts to
him, Proclus laid his hands on him, and ordained him bishop of
Caesarea, instead of Praetorian Prefect.
In such a flourishing condition were the affairs of the Church at this
time. But we shall here close our history, praying that the churches
everywhere, with the cities and nations, may live m peace; for as
long as peace continues, those who desire to write histories will find
no materials for their purpose. And we ourselves, O holy man of
God, Theodore, should have been unable to accomplish in seven books
the task we undertook at your request, had the lovers of seditions
chosen to be quiet.
This last book contains an account of the transactions of thirty-two
years: and the whole history which is comprised in seven books,
comprehends a period of 140 years. It commences from the first year
of the 27 Olympiad, in which Constantine was proclaimed emperor;
and ends at the second year of the 305th Olympiad, in which the
Emperor Theodosius bore his. seventeenth consulate.
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