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Of the emperors one, i.e. Valentinian, speedily went to the
western parts of the empire; for the exigencies of affairs required his
presence thither: meanwhile Valens, residing at Constantinople, was
addressed by most of the prelates of the Macedonion heresy, requesting
that another Synod might be convened for the correction of the creed.
The emperor supposing they agreed in sentiment with Eudoxius and
Acacius, gave them permission to do so: they therefore made
preparations for assembling in the city of Lampsacus. But Valens
proceeded with the utmost despatch toward Antioch in Syria, fearing
lest the Persians should violate the treaty into which they had entered
for thirty years in the reign of Jovian, and invade the Roman
territories. They however remained quiet; and Valens employed this
season of external tranquillity to prosecute a war of extermination
against all who acknowledged the homoousion. Paulinus their bishop,
because of his eminent piety, he left unmolested. Melitius he
punished with exile: and all the rest, as many as refused to
communicate with Euzoius, he drove out from the churches in Antioch,
and subjected to various losses and punishments. It is even affirmed
that he caused many to be drowned in the river Orontes, which flows by
that city.
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