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As soon as the council of Alexandria was dissolved, Eusebius bishop
of Vercellae went from Alexandria to Antioch; there finding that
Paulinus had been ordained by Lucifer, and that the people were
disagreeing among themselves, -for the partisans of Meletius held
their assemblies apart, -- he was exceedingly grieved at the want of
harmony concerning this election, and in his own mind disapproved of
what had taken place. His respect for Lucifer however induced him to
be silent about it, and on his departure he engaged that all things
should be set right by a council of bishops. Subsequently he labored
with great earnestness to unite the dissentients, but did not succeed.
Meanwhile Meletius returned from exile; and finding his followers
holding their assemblies apart from the others, he set himself at their
head. But Euzoius, the chief of the Arian heresy, had possession
of the churches: Paulinus only retained a small church within the
city, from which Euzoius had not ejected him, on account of his
personal respect for him. But Meletius assembled his adherents
without the gates of the city. It was under these circumstances that
Eusebius left Antioch at that time. When Lucifer understood that
his ordination of Paul was not approved of by Eusebius, regarding it
as an insult, he became highly incensed; and not only separated
himself from communion with him, but also began, in a contentious
spirit, to condemn what had been determined by the Synod. These
things occurring at a season of grievous disorder, alienated many from
the church; for many attached themselves to Lucifer, and thus a
distinct sect arose under the name of 'Luciferians.' Nevertheless
Lucifer was unable to give full expression to his anger, inasmuch as
he had pledged himself by his deacon to assent to whatever should be
decided on by the Synod. Wherefore he adhered to the tenets of the
church, and returned to Sardinia to his own see: but such as at first
identified themselves with his quarrel, still continue separate from
the church. Eusebius, on the other hand, traveling throughout the
Eastern provinces like a good physician, completely restored those who
were weak in the faith, instructing and establishing them in
ecclesiastical principles. After this he passed over to Illyricum,
and thence to Italy, where he pursued a similar course.
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