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WHEN Theodosius the emperor was in the eighth year of his age,
Atticus was in the third year of his presidency over the church at
Constantinople, a man as we have by anticipation said distinguished
alike for his learning, piety, and discretion, wherefore it came
about that the churches under his episcopate attained a very flourishing
condition. For he not only united those of 'the household of
faith,' but also by his prudence called forth the admiration of the
heretics, whom indeed he by no means desired to harass; but if he
sometimes was obliged to impress them with the fear of himself, he soon
afterward showed himself mild and clement toward them. But indeed he
did not neglect his studies; for he assiduously labored in perusing the
writings of the ancients, and often spent whole nights in the task;
and thus he could not be confused by the reasonings of the
philosophers, and the fallacious subtleties of the sophists. Besides
this he was affable and entertaining in conversation, and ever ready to
sympathize with the afflicted: and in a word, to sum up his
excellences in the apostle's saying, 'He was made all things to all
men.' Formerly while a presbyter, he had been accustomed, after
composing his sermons, to commit them to memory, and then recite them
in the church: but by diligent application he acquired confidence and
made his instruction extemporaneous and eloquent. His discourses
however were not such as to be received with much applause by his
auditors, nor to deserve to be committed to writing. Let these
particulars respecting his talents, erudition, and manners suffice.
We must now proceed to relate such things as are worthy of record,
that happened in his time.
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