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AFTER the pompous interment of the remains of Meletius, Flavian
was ordained in his stead, and that, too, in direct violation of the
oath he had taken; for Paulinus was still alive. This gave rise to
fresh troubles in the church of Antioch. Many persons refused to
maintain communion with Flavian, and held their church apart with
Paulinus. Even the priests differed among themselves on this
subject. The Egyptians, Arabians, and Cypriots were indignant at
the injustice that had been manifested towards Paulinus. On the other
hand, the Syrians, the Palestinians, the Phoenicians, and the
greater part of Armenia, Cappadocia, Galatia, and Pontus, sided
with Flavian. The bishop of Rome, and all the Western priests,
regarded the conduct of Flavian with the utmost displeasure. They
addressed the customary epistles, called synodical, to Paulinus as
bishop of Antioch, and took no notice of Flavian. They also
withdrew from communion with Diodorus, bishop of Tarsus, and
Acacius, bishop of Berea, because they had ordained Flavian. To
take further cognizance of the affair, the Western bishops and the
Emperor Gratian wrote to the bishops of the East, and summoned them
to attend a council in the West.
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