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The emperor however did not cease his persecution of those who embraced
the doctrine of the homoousion, but drove them away from
Constantinople: and as the Novatians acknowledged the same faith,
they also were subjected to similar treatment. He commanded that their
churches should be shut up, also their bishop they sent into exile.
His name was Agelius, a person that had presided over their churches
from the time of Constantine, and had led an apostolic life: for he
always walked barefoot, and used but one coat, observing the
injunction of the gospel. But the emperor's displeasure against this
sect was moderated by the efforts of a pious and eloquent man named
Marcian, who had formerly been in military service at the imperial
palace, but was at that time a presbyter in the Novatian church, and
taught Anastasia and Carosa, the emperor's daughters, grammar;
from the former of whom the public baths yet standing, which Valens
erected at Constantinople, were named. From respect for this person
therefore the Novatian churches which had been for some time closed,
were again opened. The Arians however would not suffer this people to
remain undisturbed, for they disliked them on account of the sympathy
and love the Novatians manifested toward the Homoousians, with whom
they agreed in sentiment. Such was the state of affairs at that time.
We may here remark that the war against the usurper Procopius was
terminated about the end of May, in the consulate of Gratian and
Dagalaifus.
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