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In consequence of this law, Meletius returned about this period to
Antioch in Syria; and his presence gave rise to great contention
among the people. Paulinus, whom Valens, from veneration for his
piety, had not ventured to banish, was still alive. The partisans of
Meletius, therefore, proposed his association with Paulinus, who
condemned the ordination of Meletius, because it had been conferred by
Arian bishops; and yet the supporters of Meletius went forward by
force into the work they had devised; for they were not few in number,
and so placed Meletius on the episcopal throne in one of the suburban
churches. The mutual animosity of the two parties increased, and
sedition was expected, had not a remarkable plan for the restoration of
concord prevailed. For it seemed best, to take oaths from those who
were considered elegible, or who were expected to occupy the episcopal
see of that place. Of these there were five besides Flavian. These
promised that they would neither strive for, nor accept the episcopate
should an ordination take place among them during the life of Paulinus
and Meletius, and that in the event of the decease of either of these
great men, the other alone should succeed to the bishopric. On their
ratifying this promise with oaths, unanimity was restored among almost
all the people; a few of the Luciferites still diverged because
Meletius had been ordained by heretics. On the termination of this
contest, Meletius proceeded to Constantinople, where many other
bishops had assembled together to deliberate on the necessity of
translating Gregory from the bishopric of Nazianzen to that of this
city.
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