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ARIANISM met with similar opposition at the same period in
Osroene; but in the Cappadocias, Providence allotted such a divine
and most educated pair of men, Basil, the bishop of Caesarea in that
country, and Gregory, bishop of Nazianzen. Syria and the
neighboring provinces, and more especially the city of Antioch, were
plunged into confusion and disorder; for the Arians were very numerous
in these parts, and had possession of the churches. The members of
the Catholic Church were not, however, few in number. They were
called Eustathians and Paulinists, and were under the guidance of
Paulinus and Meletius, as has been before stated. It was through
their instrumentality that the church of Antioch was preserved from the
encroach merits of the Arians, and enabled to resist the zeal of the
emperor and of those in power about him. Indeed, it appears that in
all the churches which were governed by brave men, the people did not
deviate from their former opinions.
It is said that this was the cause of the firmness with which the
Scythians adhered to their faith. There are in this country a great
number of cities, villages, and fortresses. The metropolis is called
Tomi; it is a large and populous city, and lies on the sea shore to
the left of one sailing to the sea, called the Euxine.
According to an ancient custom which still prevails, all the churches
of the whole country are under the sway of one bishop.
Vetranio ruled over these churches at the period that the emperor
visited Tomi. Valens repaired to the church, and strove, according
to his usual custom, to gain over the bishop to the heresy of Arius;
but this latter manfully opposed his arguments, and after a courageous
defense of the Nicene doctrines, quitted the emperor and proceeded to
another church, whither he was followed by the people. Almost the
entire city bad crowded to see the emperor, for they expected that
something extraordinary would result from this interview with the
bishop.
Valens was extremely offended at being left alone in the church with
his attendants, and in resentment, condemned Vetranio to banishment.
Not long after, however, he recalled him, because, I believe, he
apprehended an insurrection; for the Scythians were offended at the
absence of their bishop.
He well knew that the Scythians were a courageous nation, and that
their country, by the position of its places, possessed many natural
advantages which rendered it necessary to the Roman Empire, for it
served as a barrier to ward off the barbarians.
Thus was the intention of the ruler openly frustrated by Vetranio.
The Scythians themselves testify that he was good in all other
respects and eminent for the virtue of his life.
The resentment of the emperor was visited upon all the clergy except
those of the Western churches; for Valentinian, who reigned over the
Western regions, was an admirer of the Nicene doctrines, and was
imbued with so much reverence for religion, that he never imposed any
commands upon the priests, nor ever attempted to introduce any
alteration for better or for worse in ecclesiastical regulations.
Although he had become one of the best of emperors, and had shown his
capacity to rule affairs, he considered that ecclesiastical matters
were beyond the range of his jurisdiction.
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