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AT Antioch the great Meletius had been succeeded by Flavianus who,
together with Diodorus, had undergone great struggles for the
salvation of the sheep. Paulinus had indeed desired to receive the
bishopric, but he was withstood by the clergy on the ground that it was
not right that Meletius at his death should be succeeded by one who did
not share his opinions, and that to the care of the flock ought to be
advanced he who was conspicuous for many toils, and had run the risk of
many perils for the sheeps' sake. Thus a lasting hostility arose
among the Romans and the Egyptians against the East, and the ill
feeling was not even destroyed on the death of Paulinus. After him
when Evagrius had occupied his see, hostility was still shewn to the
great Flavianus, notwithstanding the fact that the promotion of
Evagrius was a violation of the law of the Church, for he had been
promoted by Paulinus alone in disregard of many canons. For a dying
bishop is not permitted to ordain another to take his place, and all
the bishops of a province are ordered to be convened; again no
ordination of a bishop is permitted to take place without three
bishops. Nevertheless they refused to take cognizance of any of these
laws, embraced the communion of Evagrius, and filled the ears of the
emperor with complaints against Flavianus, so that, being frequently
importuned, he summoned him to Constantinople, and ordered him to
repair to Rome.
Flavianus, however, urged in reply that it was now winter, and
promised to obey the command in spring. He then returned home. But
when the bishops of Rome, not only the admirable Damasus, but also
Siricius his successor and Anastasius the successor of Siricitus,
importuned the emperor more vehemently and represented that, while he
put down the rivals against his own authority, he suffered bold rebels
against the laws of Christ to maintain their usurped authority, then
he sent for him again and tried to force him to undertake the journey to
Rome. On this Flavianus in his great wisdom spoke very boldly, and
said, "If, sir, there are some who accuse me of being unsound in
the faith, or of life and conversation unworthy of the priesthood, I
will accept my accusers themselves for judges, and will submit to
whatever sentence they may give. But if they are contending about see
and primacy I will not contest the point; I will not oppose those who
wish to take them; I will give way and resign my bishopric. So,
sir, give the episcopal throne of Antioch to whom you will."
The emperor admired his manliness and wisdom, and bade him go home
again, and tend the church committed to his care.
After a considerable time had elapsed the emperor arrived at Rome,
and once more encountered the charges advanced by the bishops on the
ground that he was making no attempt to put down the tyranny of
Flavianus. The emperor ordered them to set forth the nature of the
tyranny, saying that he himself was Flavianus and had become his
protector. The bishops rejoined that it was impossible for them to
dispute with the emperor. He then exhorted them in future to join the
churches in concord. put an end to the quarrel, and quench the fires
of an useless controversy. Paulinus, he pointed out, had long since
departed this life; Evagrius had been irregularly promoted; the
eastern churches accepted Flavianus as their bishop. Not only the
east but all Asia. Pontius, and Thrace were united in communion
with him, and all Illyricum recognised his authority over the oriental
bishops. In submission to these counsels the western bishops promised
to bring their hostility to a close and to receive the envoys who should
he sent them.
When Flavianus had been informed of this decision he despatched to
Rome certain worthy bishops with presbyters and deacons of Antioch,
giving the chief authority among them to Acacius bishop of Berma, who
was famous throughout the world. On the arrival of Acacius and his
party at Rome they put an end to the protracted quarrel, and after a
war of seventeen years gave peace to the churches. When the Egyptians
were informed of the reconciliation they too gave up their opposition,
and gladly accepted the agreement which was made.
At that time Anastasius had been succeeded in the primacy of the
Roman Church by Innocent, a man of prudence and ready wit.
Theophilus, whom I have previously mentioned, held the see of
Alexandria.
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