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A SYNOD having been convened at Antioch, Eustathius was
deprived of the church of that city. It was most generally believed
that he was deposed merely on account of his adherence to the faith of
the council of Nicaea, and on account of his having accused
Eusebius, Paulinus, bishop of Tyre, and Patrophilus, bishop of
Scythopolis (whose sentiments were adopted by the Eastern priests),
of favoring the heresy of Arius. The pretext resorted to for his
deposition, however, was, that he had defiled the priesthood by
unholy deeds. His deposition excited so great a sedition at Antioch,
that the people were on the point of taking up arms, and the whole city
was in a state of commotion. This greatly injured him in the opinion
of the emperor; for when he understood what had happened, and that the
people of that church were divided into two parties, he was much
enraged, and regarded him with suspicion as the author of the tumult.
The emperor, however, sent an illustrious officer of his palace,
invested with full authority, to calm the populace, and put an end to
the disturbance, without having recourse to violence or injury.
Those who had deposed Eustathius, and who on this account were
assembled in Antioch, imagining that their sentiments would be
universally received, if they could succeed in placing over the Church
of Antioch one of their own opinion, who was known to the emperor,
and held in repute for learning and eloquence, and that they could
obtain the obedience of the rest, fixed their thoughts upon Eusebius
Pamphilus for that see. They wrote to the emperor upon this subject,
and stated that this course would be highly acceptable to the people.
He had, in fact, been sought by all the clergy and laity who were
inimical to Eustathius. Eusebius, however, wrote to the emperor
refusing the dignity. The emperor approved of his refusal with
praise; for there was an ecclesiastical law prohibiting the removal of
a bishop from one bishopric to another. He wrote to the people and to
Eusebius, adopting his judgment and calling him happy, because he was
worthy to hold the bishopric not only of one single city, but of the
world. The emperor also wrote to the people of the Church of Antioch
concerning like-mindedness, and told them that they ought not to
desire the bishops of other regions, even as they ought not to covet
the possessions of others. In addition to these, he despatched
another epistle to the Synod, in private session, and similarly
commended Eusebius as in the letter to him for having refused the
bishopric; and being convinced that Euphronius, a presbyter of
Cappadocia, and George of Arethusa were men approved in creed, he
commanded the bishops to decide for one or other of them, or for
whomsoever might appear worthy of the honor, and to ordain a president
for the Church of Antioch. On the receipt of these letters from the
emperor, Euphronius was ordained; and I have heard that Eustathius
bore this unjust calumny calmly, judging it to be better, as he was a
man who, besides his virtues and excellent qualities, was justly
admired on account of his fine eloquence, as is evidenced by his
transmitted works, which are highly approved for their choice of
words, flavor of expression, temperateness of sentiments, elegance
and grace of narration.
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