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NPNF2-02. Socrates and Sozomenus EcclesiasticalHistories

Author(s): Socrates ScholasticusSchaff, Philip (1819-1893) (Editor)

Publisher: Grand Rapids, MI: Christian Classics Ethereal Library

Description: With over twenty volumes, the Nicene and Post-NiceneFathers is a momentous achievement. Originally gatheredby Philip Schaff, the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers is acollection of writings by classical and medieval Christiantheologians.The purpose of such a collection is to make theirwritings readily available. The entire work is divided into twoseries, each with fourteen volumes. The second series fo-cuses on a variety of important Church Fathers, ranging fromthe fourth century to the eighth century.This volume containsthe work of Sozomenus and Socrates--two fifth centuryChristian historians. They attempted to continue to the workof Eusebius, namely, providing a history of the Christianchurch. The Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers are compre-hensive in scope, and provide keen translations of instructiveand illuminating texts from some of the great theologians ofthe Christian church.These spiritually enlightening texts haveaided Christians for over a thousand years, and remain in-structive and fruitful even today!Tim PerrineCCEL Staff Writer

Subjects: ChristianityEarly Christian Literature. Fathers of the Church, etc.

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Contents

1Title Page.

2The Ecclesiastical History of Socrates Scholasticus.

2Title Page.

3Prefatory Note.

4Introduction.

4Sources and Literature.

6Life of Socrates.

13Socrates' Ecclesiastical History.

20History of Socrates' Work.

23Book I

23Introduction to the Work.

24By what Means the Emperor Constantine became a Christian.

26While Constantine favors the Christians, Licinius, his Colleague, persecutesthem.

27War arises between Constantine and Licinius on Account of the Christians.

28The Dispute of Arius with Alexander, his Bishop.

29Division begins in the Church from this Controversy; and Alexander Bishop ofAlexandria excommunicates Arius and his Adherents.

35The Emperor Constantine being grieved at the Disturbance of the Churches,sends Hosius the Spaniard to Alexandria, exhorting the Bishop and Arius toReconciliation and Unity.

39Of the Synod which was held at Nicæa in Bithynia, and the Creed there putforth.

48The Letter of the Synod, relative to its Decisions: and the Condemnation ofArius and those who agreed with him.

57The Emperor also summons to the Synod Acesius, Bishop of the Novatians.

58Of the Bishop Paphnutius.

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59Of Spyridon, Bishop of the Cypriots.

60Of Eutychian the Monk.

62Eusebius Bishop of Nicomedia, and Theognis Bishop of Nicæa, who had beenbanished for agreeing in Opinion with Arius, having published their Recantation,and assented to the Creed, are reinstated in their Sees.

63After the Synod, on the Death of Alexander, Athanasius is constituted Bishopof Alexandria.

64The Emperor Constantine having enlarged the Ancient Byzantium, calls itConstantinople.

65The Emperor's Mother Helena having come to Jerusalem, searches for and findsthe Cross of Christ, and builds a Church.

67The Emperor Constantine abolishes Paganism and erects many Churches inDifferent Places.

69In what Manner the Nations in the Interior of India were Christianized in theTimes of Constantine.

71In what Manner the Iberians were converted to Christianity.

74Of Anthony the Monk.

75Manes, the Founder of the Manichæan Heresy, and on his Origin.

77Eusebius Bishop of Nicomedia, and Theognis Bishop of Nicæa, having recoveredConfidence, endeavor to subvert the Nicene Creed, by plotting againstAthanasius.

79Of the Synod held at Antioch, which deposed Eustathius, Bishop of Antioch,on whose account a Sedition broke out and almost ruined the City.

81Of the Presbyter who exerted himself for the Recall of Arius.

83Arius, on being recalled, presents a Recantation to the Emperor, and pretendsto accept the Nicene Creed.

84Arius having returned to Alexandria with the Emperor's Consent, and not beingreceived by Athanasius, the Partisans of Eusebius bring Many Charges againstAthanasius before the Emperor.

87On Account of the Charges against Athanasius, the Emperor convokes a Synodof Bishops at Tyre.

88Of Arsenius, and his Hand which was said to have been cut off.

89Athanasius is found Innocent of what he was accused; his Accusers take toFlight.

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90When the Bishops will not listen to Athanasius' Defense on the Second Charge,he betakes himself to the Emperor.

91On the Departure of Athanasius, those who composed the Synod vote hisDeposition.

92The Members of the Synod proceed from Tyre to Jerusalem, and havingcelebrated the Dedication of the 'New Jerusalem,' receive Arius and his Followersinto Communion.

93The Emperor summons the Synod to himself by Letter, in order that the Chargesagainst Athanasius might be carefully examined before him.

95The Synod not having come to the Emperor, the Partisans of Eusebius accuseAthanasius of having threatened to divert the Corn supplied to Constantinoplefrom Alexandria: the Emperor being exasperated at this banishes Athanasiusinto Gaul.

96Of Marcellus Bishop of Ancyra, and Asterius the Sophist.

98After the Banishment of Athanasius, Arius having been sent for by the Emperor,raises a Disturbance against Alexander Bishop of Constantinople.

99The Death of Arius.

101The Emperor falls sick and dies.

102The Funeral of the Emperor Constantine.

103Book II

103Introduction containing the Reason for the Author's Revision of his First andSecond Books.

104Eusebius, Bishop of Nicomedia, and his Party, by again endeavoring to introducethe Arian Heresy, create Disturbances in the Churches.

106Athanasius, encouraged by the Letter of Constantine the Younger, returns toAlexandria.

107On the Death of Eusebius Pamphilus, Acacius succeeds to the Bishopric ofCæsarea.

108The Death of Constantine the Younger.

109Alexander, Bishop of Constantinople, when at the Point of Death proposes theElection either of Paul or of Macedonius as his Successor.

110The Emperor Constantius ejects Paul after his Election to the Bishopric, andsending for Eusebius of Nicomedia, invests him with the Bishopric ofConstantinople.

111Eusebius having convened Another Synod at Antioch in Syria, causes a NewCreed to be promulgated.

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112Of Eusebius of Emisa.

113The Bishops assembled at Antioch, on the Refusal of Eusebius of Emisa to acceptthe Bishopric of Alexandria, ordain Gregory, and change the Language of theNicene Creed.

115On the Arrival of Gregory at Alexandria, tended by a Military Escort, Athanasiusflees.

116The People of Constantinople restore Paul to his See after the Death of Eusebius,while the Arians elect Macedonius.

117Paul is again ejected from the Church by Constantius, in consequence of theSlaughter of Hermogenes, his General.

118The Arians remove Gregory from the See of Alexandria, and appoint Georgein his Place.

119Athanasius and Paul going to Rome, and having obtained Letters from BishopJulius, recover their respective Dioceses.

121The Emperor Constantius, through an Order to Philip the Prætorian Prefect,secures the Exile of Paul, and the Installation of Macedonius in his See.

123Athanasius, intimidated by the Emperor's Threats, returns to Rome again.

125The Emperor of the West requests his Brother to send him Three Persons whocould give an Account of the Deposition of Athanasius and Paul. Those whoare sent publish Another Form of the Creed.

127Of the Creed sent by the Eastern Bishops to those in Italy, called the LengthyCreed.

131Of the Council at Sardica.

133Defense of Eusebius Pamphilus.

136The Council of Sardica restores Paul and Athanasius to their Sees; and on theEastern Emperor's Refusal to admit them, the Emperor of the West threatenshim with War.

137Constantius, being Afraid of his Brother's Threats, recalls Athanasius by Letter,and sends him to Alexandria.

143Athanasius, passing through Jerusalem on his Return to Alexandria, is receivedinto Communion by Maximus: and a Synod of Bishops, convened in that City,confirms the Nicene Creed.

144Of the Usurpers Magnentius and Vetranio.

145After the Death of Constans, the Western Emperor, Paul and Athanasius areagain ejected from their Sees: the Former on his Way into Exile is slain; but theLatter escapes by Flight.

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147Macedonius having possessed himself of the See of Constantinople inflicts muchInjury on those who differ from him.

148Athanasius' Account of the Deeds of Violence committed at Alexandria byGeorge the Arian.

151Of the Heresiarch Photinus.

152Creeds published at Sirmium in Presence of the Emperor Constantius.

157Of Hosius, Bishop of Cordova.

158Overthrow of the Usurper Magnentius.

159Of the Jews inhabiting Dio-Cæsarea in Palestine.

160Of Gallus Cæsar.

161Of Aëtius the Syrian, Teacher of Eunomius.

163Of the Synod at Milan.

164Of the Synod at Ariminum, and the Creed there published.

173Cruelty of Macedonius, and Tumults raised by him.

177Of the Synod at Seleucia, in Isauria.

179Acacius, Bishop of Cæsarea, dictates a new Form of Creed in the Synod atSeleucia.

183On the Emperor's Return from the West, the Acacians assemble atConstantinople, and confirm the Creed of Ariminum, after making SomeAdditions to it.

185On the Deposition of Macedonius, Eudoxius obtains the Bishopric ofConstantinople.

186Of Eustathius Bishop of Sebastia.

188Of Meletius Bishop of Antioch.

189The Heresy of Macedonius.

191Of the Apollinarians, and their Heresy.

192Successes of Julian; Death of the Emperor Constantius.

193Book III

193Of Julian; his Lineage and Education; his Elevation to the Throne; his Apostasyto Paganism.

198Of the Sedition excited at Alexandria, and how George was slain.

199The Emperor Indignant at the Murder of George, rebukes the Alexandrians byLetter.

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201On the Death of George, Athanasius returns to Alexandria, and takes Possessionof his See.

202Of Lucifer and Eusebius.

203Lucifer goes to Antioch and consecrates Paulinus.

204By the Co-operation of Eusebius and Athanasius a Synod is held at Alexandria,wherein the Trinity is declared to be Consubstantial.

206Quotations from Athanasius' 'Defense of his Flight.'

210After the Synod of Alexandria, Eusebius proceeding to Antioch finds theCatholics at Variance on Account of Paulinus' Consecration; and having exertedhimself in vain to reconcile them, he departs; Indignation of Lucifer and Originof a Sect called after him.

211Of Hilary Bishop of Poictiers.

212The Emperor Julian extracts Money from the Christians.

213Of Maris Bishop of Chalcedon; Julian forbids Christians from entering LiteraryPursuits.

214Of the Outrages committed by the Pagans against the Christians.

216Flight of Athanasius.

217Martyrs at Merum in Phrygia, under Julian.

218Of the Literary Labors of the Two Apollinares and the Emperor's Prohibitionof Christians being instructed in Greek Literature.

221The Emperor preparing an Expedition against the Persians, arrives at Antioch,and being ridiculed by the Inhabitants, he retorts on them by a SatiricalPublication entitled 'Misopogon, or the Beard-Hater.'

222The Emperor consulting an Oracle, the Demon gives no Response, being awedby the Nearness of Babylas the Martyr.

223Wrath of the Emperor, and Firmness of Theodore the Confessor.

224The Jews instigated by the Emperor attempt to rebuild their Temple, and arefrustrated in their Attempt by Miraculous Interposition.

226The Emperor's Invasion of Persia, and Death.

228Jovian is proclaimed Emperor.

229Refutation of what Libanius the Sophist said concerning Julian.

235The Bishops flock around Jovian, each attempting to draw him to his own Creed.

236The Macedonians and Acacians meet at Antioch, and proclaim their Assent tothe Nicene Creed.

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238Death of the Emperor Jovian.

239Book IV

239After Jovian's Death, Valentinian is proclaimed Emperor, and takes his BrotherValens as Colleague in the Empire; Valentinian holds the Orthodox Faith, butValens is an Arian.

241Valentinian goes into the West; Valens remains at Constantinople, and grantsthe Request of the Macedonians to hold a Synod, but persecutes the Adherentsof the 'Homoousion.'

242While Valens persecutes the Orthodox Christians in the East, a Usurper arisesat Constantinople named Procopius: and at the Same Time an Earthquake andInundation take Place and injure Several Cities.

243The Macedonians hold a Synod at Lampsacus, during a Period of Both Secularand Ecclesiastical Agitation; and after confirming the Antiochian Creed, andanathematizing that promulgated at Ariminum, they again ratify the Depositionof Acacius and Eudoxius.

244Engagement between Valens and Procopius near Nacolia in Phrygia; after whichthe Usurper is betrayed by his Chief Officers, and with them put to Death.

245After the Death of Procopius Valens constrains those who composed the Synod,and All Christians, to profess Arianism.

246Eunomius supersedes Eleusius the Macedonian in the See of Cyzicus, His Originand Imitation of Aëtius, whose Amanuensis he had been.

248Of the Oracle found inscribed an a Stone, when the Walls of Chalcedon weredemolished by Order of the Emperor Valens.

250Valens persecutes the Novatians, because they accepted the Orthodox Faith.

251Birth of Valentinian the Younger.

252Hail of Extraordinary Size; and Earthquakes in Bithynia and the Hellespont.

253The Macedonians, pressed by the Emperor's Violence toward them, send aDeputation to Liberius Bishop of Rome, and subscribe the Nicene Creed.

258Eunomius separates from Eudoxius; a Disturbance is raised at Alexandria byEudoxius, and Athanasius flees into Voluntary Exile again, but in Consequenceof the Clamors of the People the Emperor recalls and re-establishes him in hisSee.

259The Arians ordain Demophilus after the Death of Eudoxius at Constantinople;but the Orthodox Party constitute Evagrius his Successor.

260The Emperor banishes Evagrius and Eustathius. The Arians persecute theOrthodox.

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261Certain Presbyters burnt in a Ship by Order of Valens. Famine in Phrygia.

262The Emperor Valens, while at Antioch, again persecutes the Adherents of the'Homoousion.'

263Events at Edessa: Constancy of the Devout Citizens, and Courage of a PiousWoman.

265Slaughter of Many Persons by Valens an Account of their Names, inConsequence of a Heathen Prediction.

266Death of Athanasius, and Elevation of Peter to His See.

267The Arians are allowed by the Emperor to imprison Peter and to set Lucius overthe See of Alexandria.

268Silence of Sabinus on the Misdeeds of the Arians; Flight of Peter to Rome;Massacre of the Solitaries at the Instigation of the Arians.

269The Deeds of Some Holy Persons who devoted themselves to a Solitary Life.

275Assault upon the Monks, and Banishment of their Superiors, who exhibitMiraculous Power.

277Of Didymus the Blind Man.

278Of Basil of Cæsarea, and Gregory of Nazianzus.

281Of Gregory Thaumaturgus (the Wonder-Worker).

282Of Novatus and his Followers. The Novatians of Phrygia alter the Time ofkeeping Easter, following Jewish Usage.

284Damasus ordained Bishop of Rome. Sedition and Loss of Life caused by theRivalry of Ursinus.

285Dissension about a Successor to Auxentius, Bishop of Milan. Ambrose, Governorof the Province, going to appease the Tumult, is by General Consent and withthe Approval of the Emperor Valentinian elected to the Bishopric of that Church.

286Death of Valentinian.

288The Emperor Valens, appeased by the Oration of Themistius the Philosopher,abates his Persecution of the Christians.

289The Goths, under the Reign of Valens, embrace Christianity.

290Admission of the Fugitive Goths into the Roman Territories, which caused theEmperor's Overthrow, and eventually the Ruin of the Roman Empire.

291Abatement of Persecution against the Christians because of the War with theGoths.

292The Saracens, under Mavia their Queen, embrace Christianity; and Moses, aPious Monk, is consecrated their Bishop.

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293After the Departure of Valens from Antioch, the Alexandrians expel Lucius,and restore Peter, who had come with Letters from Damasus Bishop of Rome.

294The Emperor Valens is ridiculed by the People on Account of the Goths;undertakes an Expedition against them and is slain in an Engagement nearAdrianople.

295Book V

295Introduction.

296After the Death of Valens the Goths again attack Constantinople, and arerepulsed by the Citizens, aided by Some Saracen Auxiliaries.

297The Emperor Gratian recalls the Orthodox Bishops, and expels the Hereticsfrom the Churches. He takes Theodosius as his Colleague in the Empire.

298The Principal Bishops who flourished at that Time.

299The Macedonians, who had subscribed the 'Homoousian' Doctrine, return totheir Former Error.

300Events at Antioch in Connection with Paulinus and Meletius.

301Gregory of Nazianzus is transferred to the See of Constantinople. The EmperorTheodosius falling Sick at Thessalonica, after his Victory over the Barbarians,is there baptized by Ascholius the Bishop.

302Gregory, finding Some Dissatisfaction about his Appointment, abdicates theEpiscopate of Constantinople. The Emperor orders Demophilus the ArianBishop either to assent to the 'Homoousion,' or leave the City. He chooses theLatter.

304A Synod consisting of One Hundred and Fifty Bishops meets at Constantinople.The Decrees passed. Ordination of Nectarius.

307The Body of Paul, Bishop of Constantinople, is honorably transferred from hisPlace of Exile. Death of Meletius.

308The Emperor orders a Convention composed of All the Various Sects. Arcadiusis proclaimed Augustus. The Novatians permitted to hold their Assemblies inthe City of Constantinople: Other Heretics driven out.

311The Emperor Gratian is slain by the Treachery of the Usurper Maximus. FromFear of him Justina ceases persecuting Ambrose.

312While the Emperor Theodosius is engaged in Military Preparations againstMaximus, his Son Honorius is born. He then proceeds to Milan in Order toencounter the Usurper.

313The Arians excite a Tumult at Constantinople.

314Overthrow and Death of the Usurper Maximus.

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315Of Flavian Bishop of Antioch.

316Demolition of the Idolatrous Temples at Alexandria, and the ConsequentConflict between the Pagans and Christians.

318Of the Hieroglyphics found in the Temple of Serapis.

320Reformation of Abuses at Rome by the Emperor Theodosius.

322Of the Office of Penitentiary Presbyters and its Abolition.

324Divisions among the Arians and Other Heretics.

325Peculiar Schism among the Novatians.

327The Author's Views respecting the Celebration of Easter, Baptism, Fasting,Marriage, the Eucharist, and Other Ecclesiastical Rites.

335Further Dissensions among the Arians at Constantinople. The Psathyrians.

337The Eunomians divide into Several Factions.

339The Usurper Eugenius compasses the Death of Valentinian the Younger.Theodosius obtains a Victory over him.

341Illness and Death of Theodosius the Elder.

342Book VI

342Introduction.

344On the Death of Theodosius his Two Sons divide the Empire. Rufinus is slainat the Feet of Arcadius.

345Death of Nectarius and Ordination of John.

347Birth and Education of John Bishop of Constantinople.

349Of Serapion the Deacon on whose Account John becomes Odious to his Clergy.

350John draws down upon Himself the Displeasure of Many Persons of Rank andPower. Of the Eunuch Eutropius.

352Gaïnas the Goth attempts to usurp the Sovereign Power; after fillingConstantinople with Disorder, he is slain.

355Dissension between Theophilus Bishop of Alexandria and the Monks of theDesert. Condemnation of Origen's Books.

358The Arians and the Supporters of the 'Homoousion' hold Nocturnal Assembliesand sing Antiphonal Hymns, a Species of Composition ascribed to Ignatius,surnamed Theophorus. Conflict between the Two Parties.

360Dispute between Theophilus and Peter leading to an Attempt on the Part of theFormer to depose John Bishop of Constantinople.

362Epiphanius Bishop of Cyprus convenes a Synod to condemn the Books of Origen.

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364Of Severian and Antiochus: their Disagreement from John.

367Epiphanius, in order to gratify Theophilus, performs Ordinations atConstantinople without John's Permission.

368The Author's Defence of Origen.

369Epiphanius is asked to meet John; on refusing he is admonished concerning hisAnticanonical Proceedings; alarmed at this he leaves Constantinople.

370John is expelled from his Church by a Synod held at Chalcedon on account ofhis Dispraise of Women.

372Sedition on Account of John Chrysostom's Banishment. He is recalled.

373Conflict between the Constantinopolitans and Alexandrians on Account ofHeraclides; Flight of Theophilus and the Bishops of his Party.

374Of Eudoxia's Silver Statue. On account of it John is exiled a Second Time.

376Ordination of Arsacius as John's Successor. Indisposition of Cyrinus Bishop ofChalcedon.

377Death of Arsacius, and Ordination of Atticus.

378John dies in Exile.

379Of Sisinnius Bishop of the Novatians. His Readiness at Repartee.

381Death of the Emperor Arcadius.

382Book VII

382Anthemius the Prætorian Prefect administers the Government of the East inBehalf of Young Theodosius.

383Character and Conduct of Atticus Bishop of Constantinople.

384Of Theodosius and Agapetus Bishops of Synada.

385A Paralytic Jew healed by Atticus in Baptism.

386The Presbyter Sabbatius, formerly a Jew, separates from the Novatians.

387The Leaders of Arianism at this Time.

388Cyril succeeds Theophilus Bishop of Alexandria.

389Propagation of Christianity among the Persians by Maruthas Bishop ofMesopotamia.

391The Bishops of Antioch and Rome.

392Rome taken and sacked by Alaric.

393The Bishops of Rome.

394Of Chrysanthus Bishop of the Novatians at Constantinople.

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396Conflict between the Christians and Jews at Alexandria: and breach betweenthe Bishop Cyril and the Prefect Orestes.

398The Monks of Nitria come down and raise a Sedition against the Prefect ofAlexandria.

399Of Hypatia the Female Philosopher.

400The Jews commit Another Outrage upon the Christians and are punished.

401Miracle performed by Paul Bishop of the Novatians at the Baptism of a JewishImpostor.

403Renewal of Hostilities between the Romans and Persians after the Death ofIsdigerdes King of the Persians.

405Of Palladius the Courier.

406A Second Overthrow of the Persians by the Romans.

408Kind Treatment of the Persian Captives by Acacius Bishop of Amida.

410Virtues of the Emperor Theodosius the Younger.

413After the Death of the Emperor Honorius John usurps the Sovereignty at Rome.He is destroyed through the Prayers of Theodosius the Younger.

415Valentinian a Son of Constantius and Placidia, Aunt of Theodosius, is proclaimedEmperor.

416Christian Benevolence of Atticus Bishop of Constantinople. He registers John'sName in the Diptychs. His Fore-knowledge of his Own Death.

419Sisinnius is chosen to succeed Atticus.

420Voluminous Productions of Philip, a Presbyter of Side.

421Proclus ordained Bishop of Cyzicus by Sisinnius, but rejected by the People.

422Nestorius of Antioch promoted to the See of Constantinople. His Persecutionof the Heretics.

424The Burgundians embrace Christianity under Theodosius the Younger.

425Nestorius harasses the Macedonians.

426Of the Presbyter Anastasius, by whom the Faith of Nestorius was perverted.

428Desecration of the Altar of the Great Church by Runaway Slaves.

429Synod at Ephesus against Nestorius. His Deposition.

431Maximian elected to the Episcopate of Constantinople, though Some wishedProclus to take that Place.

432The Author's Opinion of the Validity of Translations from One See to Another.

434Miracle performed by Silvanus Bishop of Troas formerly of Philippopolis.

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436Many of the Jews in Crete embrace the Christian Faith.

437Preservation of the Church of the Novatians from Fire.

438Proclus succeeds Maximian Bishop of Constantinople.

439Excellent Qualities of Proclus.

440Panegyric of the Emperor Theodosius Younger.

441Calamities of the Barbarians who had been the Usurper John's Allies.

442Marriage of the Emperor Valentinian with Eudoxia the Daughter of Theodosius.

443The Body of John Chrysostom transferred to Constantinople, and placed in theChurch of the Apostles by the Emperor at the Instigation of Proclus.

444Death of Paul Bishop of the Novatians, and Election of Marcian as his Successor.

446The Empress Eudocia goes to Jerusalem; sent there by the Emperor Theodosius.

447Thalassius is ordained Bishop of Cæsarea in Cappadocia.

448The Ecclesiastical History of Sozomen.

448Title Page.

449Introduction.

449The Life.

461Sozomen as Author.

498Bibliography.

509Conclusion.

510Prefatory Remarks, by Valesius.

514Memoir of Sozomen.

516Address to the Emperor Theodosius by Salaminius Hermias Sozomen, andProposal for an Ecclesiastical History.

519Book I

519The Preface of the Book, in which he investigates the History of the JewishNation; Mention of those who began such a Work; how and from what Sourceshe collected his History; how he was intent upon the Truth, and what otherDetails the History will contain.

523Of the Bishops of the Large Towns in the Reign of Constantine; and how, fromfear of Licinius, Christianity was professed cautiously in the East as far as Libya,while in the West, through the Favor of Constantine, it was professed withFreedom.

524By the Vision of the Cross, and by the Appearance of Christ, Constantine is ledto embrace Christianity.--He receives Religious Instruction from our Brethren.

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526Constantine commands the Sign of the Cross to be carried before him in Battle;an Extraordinary Narrative about the Bearers of the Sign of the Cross.

527Refutation of the Assertion that Constantine became a Christian in consequenceof the Murder of his son Crispus.

528The Father of Constantine allows the Name of Christ to be Extended;Constantine the Great prepared it to Penetrate Everywhere.

530Concerning the Dispute between Constantine and Licinius his Brother-In-Lawabout the Christians, and how Licinius was conquered by Force and put toDeath.

531List of the Benefits which Constantine conferred in the Freedom of the Christiansand Building of Churches; and other Deeds for the Public Welfare.

534Constantine enacts a Law in favor of Celibates and of the Clergy.

536Concerning the Great Confessors who survived.

537Account of St. Spyridon: His Modesty and Steadfastness.

540On the Organization of the Monks: its Origin and Founders.

542About Antony the Great and St. Paul the Simple.

545Account of St. Ammon and Eutychius of Olympus.

547The Arian Heresy, its Origin, its Progress, and the Contention which itoccasioned among the Bishops.

550Constantine, having heard of the Strife of the Bishops, and the Difference ofOpinion concerning the Passover, is greatly troubled and sends Hosius, aSpaniard, Bishop of Cordova, to Alexandria, to abolish the Dissension amongthe Bishops, and to settle the Dispute about the Passover.

551Of the Council convened at Nicæa on Account of Arius.

553Two Philosophers are converted to the Faith by the Simplicity of Two Old Menwith whom they hold a Disputation.

555When the Council was assembled, the Emperor delivered a Public Address.

556After having given Audience to both Parties, the Emperor condemned theFollowers of Arius and banished them.

557What the Council determined about Arius; the Condemnation of his Followers;his Writings are to be burnt; certain of the High Priests differ from the Council;the Settlement of the Passover.

559Acesius, Bishop of the Novatians, is summoned by the Emperor to be presentat the First Council.

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560Canons appointed by the Council; Paphnutius, a certain Confessor, restrainsthe Council from forming a Canon enjoining Celibacy to all who were aboutto be honored with the Priesthood.

561Concerning Melitius; the Excellent Directions made by the Holy Council in hisComplications.

562The Emperor prepared a Public Table for the Synod, after inviting its Membersto Constantinople, and honoring them with Gifts, he exhorted all to be of OneMind, and forwarded to Alexandria and every other place the Decrees of theHoly Synod.

563Book II

563The Discovery of the Life-Bringing Cross and of the Holy Nails.

565Concerning Helena, the Mother of the Emperor; she visited Jerusalem, builtTemples in that City, and performed other Godly Works: Her Death.

566Temples Built by Constantine the Great; the City called by his Name; itsFounding; the Buildings within it; the Temple of Michael the Archsoldier, inthe Sosthenium, and the Miracles which have occurred there.

569What Constantine the Great effected about the Oak in Mamre; he also built aTemple.

571Constantine destroyed the Places dedicated to the Idols, and persuaded thePeople to prefer Christianity.

573The Reason why under Constantine, the Name of Christ was spread throughoutthe Whole World.

574How the Iberians received the Faith of Christ.

577How the Armenians and Persians embraced Christianity.

578Sapor King of Persia is excited against the Christians. Symeon, Bishop of Persia,and Usthazanes, a Eunuch, suffer the Agony of Martyrdom.

581Christians slain by Sapor in Persia.

582Pusices, Superintendent of the Artisans of Sapor.

583Tarbula, the Sister of Symeon, and her Martyrdom.

584Martyrdom of St. Acepsimas and of his Companions.

585The Martyrdom of Bishop Milles and his Conduct. Sixteen ThousandDistinguished Men in Persia suffer Martyrdom under Sapor, besides ObscureIndividuals.

586Constantine writes to Sapor to stay the Persecution of the Christians.

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587Eusebius and Theognis who at the Council of Nice had assented to the Writingsof Arius restored to their own Sees.

589On the Death of Alexander, Bishop of Alexandria, at his Suggestion, Athanasiusreceives the Throne; and an Account of his Youth; how he was a Self-TaughtPriest, and beloved by Antony the Great.

591The Arians and Melitians confer Celebrity on Athanasius; concerning Eusebius,and his Request of Athanasius to admit Arius to Communion; concerning theTerm “Consubstantial” Eusebius Pamphilus and Eustathius, Bishop of Antioch,create Tumults above all the rest.

592Synod of Antioch; Unjust Deposition of Eustathius; Euphronius receives theThrone; Constantine the Great writes to the Synod and to Eusebius Pamphilus,who refuses the Bishopric of Antioch.

594Concerning Maximus, who succeeded Macarius in the See of Jerusalem.

595The Melitians and the Arians agree in Sentiment; Eusebius and Theognisendeavor to inflame anew the Disease of Arius.

597The Vain Machinations of the Arians and Melitians against St. Athanasius.

599Calumny respecting St. Athanasius and the Hand of Arsenius.

601Some Indian Nations received Christianity at that Time through theInstrumentality of Two Captives, Frumentius and Edesius.

603Council of Tyre; Illegal Deposition of St. Athanasius.

606Erection of a Temple by Constantine the Great at Golgotha, in Jerusalem; itsDedication.

607Concerning the Presbyter by whom Constantine was persuaded to recall Ariusand Euzoïus from Exile; the Tractate concerning his Possibly Pious Faith, andhow Arius was again received by the Synod assembled at Jerusalem.

610Letter from the Emperor Constantine to the Synod of Tyre, and Exile of St.Athanasius through the Machination of the Arian Faction.

612Alexander, Bishop of Constantinople; his Refusal to receive Arius intoCommunion; Arius is burst asunder while seeking Natural Relief.

613Account given by the Great Athanasius of the Death of Arius.

615Events which occurred in Alexandria after the Death of Arius. Letter ofConstantine the Great to the Church there.

616Constantine enacts a Law against all Heresies, and prohibits the People fromholding Church in any place but the Catholic Church, and thus the GreaterNumber of Heresies disappear. The Arians who sided with Eusebius ofNicomedia, artfully attempted to obliterate the Term “Consubstantial.”

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618Marcellus Bishop of Ancyra; his Heresy and Deposition.

619Death of Constantine the Great; he died after Baptism and was buried in theTemple of the Holy Apostles.

620Book III

620After the Death of Constantine the Great, the Adherents of Eusebius andTheognis attack the Nicene Faith.

621Return of Athanasius the Great from Rome; Letter of Constantine Cæsar, Sonof Constantine the Great; Renewed Machinations of the Arians againstAthanasius; Acacius of Berrœa; War between Constans and Constantine.

623Paul, Bishop of Constantinople, and Macedonius, the Pneumatomachian.

625A Sedition was excited on the Ordination of Paul.

626The Partial Council of Antioch; it deposed Athanasius; it substituted Gregory;its Two Statements of the Faith; those who agreed with them.

628Eusebius surnamed Emesenus; Gregory accepted Alexandria; Athanasius seeksRefuge in Rome.

630High Priests of Rome and of Constantinople; Restoration of Paul after Eusebius;the Slaughter of Hermogenes, a General of the Army; Constantius came fromAntioch and removed Paul, and was wrathfully disposed toward the City; heallowed Macedonius to be in Doubt, and returned to Antioch.

632Arrival of the Eastern High Priests at Rome; Letter of Julius, Bishop of Rome,concerning them; by means of the Letters of Julius, Paul and Athanasius receivetheir own Sees; Contents of the Letter from the Archpriests of the East to Julius.

634Ejection of Paul and Athanasius; Macedonius is invested with the Governmentof the Church of Constantinople.

635The Bishop of Rome writes to the Bishops of the East in Favor of Athanasius,and they send an Embassy to Rome who, with the Bishop of Rome, are toinvestigate the Charges against the Eastern Bishops; this Deputation is dismissedby Constans, the Cæsar.

636The Long Formulary and the Enactments issued by the Synod of Sardica. Julius,Bishop of Rome, and Hosius, the Spanish Bishop, deposed by the Bishops ofthe East, because they held Communion with Athanasius and the Rest.

638The Bishops of the Party of Julius and Hosius held another Session and deposedthe Eastern High Priests, and also made a Formulary of Faith.

640After the Synod, the East and the West are separated; the West nobly adheresto the Faith of the Nicene Council, while the East is disturbed by Contentionhere and there over this Dogma.

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641Of the Holy Men who flourished about this time in Egypt, namely, Antony, theTwo Macariuses, Heraclius, Cronius, Paphnutius, Putubastus, Arsisius, Serapion,Piturion, Pachomius, Apollonius, Anuph, Hilarion, and a Register of manyother Saints.

647Didymus the Blind, and Aëtius the Heretic.

649Concerning St. Ephraim.

652Transactions of that Period, and Progress of Christian Doctrine through theJoint Efforts of Emperors and Arch-Priests.

653Concerning the Doctrines held by the Sons of Constantine. Distinction betweenthe Terms “Homoousios” and “Homoiousios.” Whence it came that Constantiusquickly abandoned the Correct Faith.

654Further Particulars concerning the Term “Consubstantial.” Council ofAriminum, the Manner, Source, and Reason of its Convention.

656Athanasius again reinstated by the Letter of Constantius, and receives his See.The Arch-Priests of Antioch. Question put by Constantius to Athanasius. ThePraise of God in Hymns.

658Letter of Constantius to the Egyptians in behalf of Athanasius. Synod ofJerusalem.

659Epistle written by the Synod of Jerusalem in Favor of Athanasius.

660Valens and Ursacius, who belonged to the Arian Faction, confess to the Bishopof Rome that they had made False Charges against Athanasius.

661Letter of Conciliation from Valens and Ursacius to the Great Athanasius.Restoration of the Other Eastern Bishops to their own Sees. Ejection ofMacedonius again; and Accession of Paul to the See.

662Book IV

662Death of Constans Cæsar. Occurrences which took place in Rome.

663Constantius again ejects Athanasius, and banishes those who represented theHomoousian Doctrine. Death of Paul, Bishop of Constantinople. Macedonius:his Second Usurpation of the See, and his Evil Deeds.

664Martyrdom of the Holy Notaries.

665Campaign of Constantius in Sirmium, and Details concerning Vetranio andMagnentius. Gallus receives the Title of Cæsar, and is sent to the East.

666Cyril directs the Sacerdotal Office after Maximus, and the Largest Form of theCross, surpassing the Sun in Splendor, again appears in the Heavens, and isvisible during several Days.

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667Photinus, Bishop of Sirmium. His Heresy, and the Council convened at Sirmiumin Opposition thereto. The Three Formularies of Faith. This Agitator of EmptyIdeas was refuted by Basil of Ancyra. After his Deposition Photinus, althoughsolicited, declined Reconciliation.

670Death of the Tyrants Magnentius and Silvanus the Apostate. Sedition of theJews in Palestine. Gallus Cæsar is slain, on Suspicion of Revolution.

671Arrival of Constantius at Rome. A Council held in Italy. Account of whathappened to Athanasius the Great through the Machinations of the Arians.

673Council of Milan. Flight of Athanasius.

675Divers Machinations of the Arians against Athanasius, and his Escape fromVarious Dangers through Divine Interposition. Evil Deeds perpetrated by Georgein Egypt after the Expulsion of Athanasius.

677Liberius, Bishop of Rome, and the cause of his being exiled by Constantius. Felixhis Successor.

679Aëtius, the Syrian, and Eudoxius, the Successor of Leontius in Antioch.Concerning the Term “Consubstantial.”

681Innovations of Eudoxius censured in a Letter written by George, Bishop ofLaodicea. Deputation from the Council of Ancyra to Constantius.

682Letter of the Emperor Constantius against Eudoxius and his Partisans.

684The Emperor Constantius repairs to Sirmium, recalls Liberius, and restores himto the Church of Rome; he also commands Felix to assist Liberius in theSacerdotal Office.

685The Emperor purposed, on account of the Heresy of Aëtius and the Innovationsin Antioch, to convene a Council at Nicomedia; but as an Earthquake took placein that City, and many other Affairs intervened, the Council was first convenedat Nicæa, and afterwards at Ariminum and Seleucia. Account of Arsacius, theConfessor.

689Proceedings of the Council of Ariminum.

691Letter from the Council at Ariminum to the Emperor Constantius.

693Concerning the Deputies of the Council and the Emperor's Letter; Agreementof the Adherents of Ursacius and Valens afterwards with the Letter put forth;Exile of the Archbishops. Concerning the Synod at Nicæa, and the Reason whythe Synod was held in Ariminum.

695Events which took place in the Eastern Churches: Marathonius, Eleusius ofCyzicus, and Macedonius expel those who maintain the Term “Consubstantial.”Concerning the Churches of the Novatians; how one Church was Transported;the Novatians enter into Communion with the Orthodox.

xx

697Proceedings of Macedonius in Mantinium. His Removal from his See when heattempted to remove the Coffin of Constantine the Great. Julian was pronouncedCæsar.

698Council of Seleucia.

702Acacius and Aëtius; and how the Deputies of the Two Councils of Ariminumand of Seleucia were led by the Emperor to accept the Same Doctrines.

704Formulary of the Council of Ariminum approved by the Acacians. List of theDeposed Chief-Priests, and the Causes of their Condemnation.

707Causes of the Deposition of Cyril, Bishop of Jerusalem. Mutual Dissensionsamong the Bishops. Melitius is ordained by the Arians, and supplants Eustathiusin the Bishopric of Sebaste.

709Death of Macedonius, Bishop of Constantinople. What Eudoxius said in hisTeaching. Eudoxius and Acacius strenuously sought the Abolition of theFormularies of Faith set forth at Nicæa and at Ariminum; Troubles which thencearose in the Churches.

710Macedonius, after his Rejection from his See, blasphemes against the Holy Spirit;Propagation of his Heresy through the Instrumentality of Marathonius andOthers.

711The Arians, under the Impression that the divine Meletius upheld theirSentiments, translate him from Sebaste to Antioch. On his Bold Confession ofthe Orthodox Doctrines, they were confounded, and after they had deposedhim they placed Euzoïus in the See. Meletius formed his own Church: but thosewho held to Consubstantiality turned away from him because he had beenordained by Arians.

713The Partisans of Acacius again do not remain Quiet, but strive to abolish theTerm “Consubstantial,” and to confirm the Heresy of Arius.

714George, Bishop of Antioch, and the Chief-Priests of Jerusalem. ThreeChief-Priests successively succeed Cyril; Restoration of Cyril to the See ofJerusalem.

715Book V

715Apostasy of Julian, the Traitor. Death of the Emperor Constantius.

717The Life, Education, and Training of Julian, and his Accession to the Empire.

721Julian, on his Settlement in the Empire, began quietly to stir up Opposition toChristianity, and to introduce Paganism artfully.

723Julian inflicted Evils upon the Inhabitants of Cæsarea. Bold Fidelity of Maris,Bishop of Chalcedon.

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725Julian restores Liberty to the Christians, in order to execute Further Troublesin the Church. The Evil Treatment of Christians he devised.

727Athanasius, after having been Seven Years concealed in the House of a Wiseand Beautiful Virgin, reappears at that time in Public, and enters the Churchof Alexandria.

728Violent Death and Triumph of George, Bishop of Alexandria. The Result ofCertain Occurrences in the Temple of Mithra. Letter of Julian on this AggravatedCircumstance.

730Concerning Theodore, the Keeper of the Sacred Vessels of Antioch. How Julian,the Uncle of the Traitor, on Account of these Vessels, falls a Prey to Worms.

731Martyrdom of the Saints Eusebius, Nestabus, and Zeno in the City of Gaza.

733Concerning St. Hilarion and the Virgins in Heliopolis who were destroyed bySwine. Strange Martyrdom of Mark, Bishop of Arethusa.

735Concerning Macedonius, Theodulus, Gratian, Busiris, Basil, and Eupsychius,who suffered Martyrdom in those Times.

737Concerning Lucifer and Eusebius, Bishops of the West. Eusebius with Athanasiusthe Great and Other Bishops collect a Council at Alexandria, and confirm theNicene Faith by defining the Consubstantiality of the Spirit with the Father andthe Son. Their Decree concerning Substance and Hypostasis.

738Concerning Paulinus and Meletius, Chief-Priests of Antioch; how Eusebius andLucifer antagonized One Another; Eusebius and Hilarius defend the NiceneFaith.

739The Partisans of Macedonius disputed with the Arians concerning Acacius.

740Athanasius is again Banished; concerning Eleusius, Bishop of Cyzicus, and Titus,Bishop of Bostra; Mention of the Ancestors of the Author.

743Efforts of Julian to establish Paganism and to abolish our Usages. The Epistlewhich he sent to the Pagan High-Priests.

746In Order that he might not be thought Tyrannical, Julian proceeds artfullyagainst the Christians. Abolition of the Sign of the Cross. He makes the Soldierysacrifice, although they were Unwilling.

748He prohibited the Christians from the Markets and from the Judicial Seats andfrom Sharing in Greek Education. Resistance of Basil the Great, Gregory theTheologian, and Apolinarius to this Decree. They rapidly translate the Scriptureinto Greek Modes of Expression. Apolinarius and Gregory Nazianzen do thismore than Basil, the one in a Rhetorical Vein, the other in Epic Style and inImitation of every Poet.

xxii

750Work written by Julian entitled “Aversion to Beards.” Daphne in Antioch, aFull Description of it. Translation of the Remains of Babylas, the Holy Martyr.

753In Consequence of the Translation, Many of the Christians are Ill-Treated.Theodore the Confessor. Temple of Apollo at Daphne destroyed by Fire fallingfrom Heaven.

755Of the Statue of Christ in Paneas which Julian overthrew and made Valueless;he erected his own Statue; this was overthrown by a Thunder-Bolt and destroyed.Fountain of Emmaus in which Christ washed his Feet. Concerning the TreePersis, which worshiped Christ in Egypt, and the Wonders wrought through it.

757From Aversion to the Christians, Julian granted Permission to the Jews to rebuildthe Temple at Jerusalem; in every Endeavor to put their Hands to the Work,Fire sprang upward and killed Many. About the Sign of the Cross which appearedon the Clothing of those who had exerted themselves in this Work.

759Book VI

759Expedition of Julian into Persia; he was worsted and broke off his Life Miserably.Letter written by Libanius, describing his Death.

762He perished under Divine Wrath. Visions of the Emperor's Death seen byVarious Individuals. Reply of the Carpenter's Son; Julian tossed his Blood aloftto Christ. Calamities which Julian entailed upon the Romans.

765The Reign of Jovian; he introduced Many Laws which he carried out in hisGovernment.

766Troubles again arise in the Churches; Synod of Antioch, in which the NiceneFaith is confirmed; the Points which this Important Synod wrote about to Jovian.

768Athanasius the Great is Very Highly Esteemed by the Emperor, and rules overthe Churches of Egypt. Vision of Antony the Great.

770Death of Jovian; The Life of Valentinian, and his Confidence in God; how hewas advanced to the Throne and selected his Brother Valens to reign with him;the Differences of Both.

772Troubles again arise in the Churches, and the Synod of Lampsacus is held. TheArians who supported Eudoxius prevail and eject the Orthodox from theChurches. Among the Ejected is Meletius of Antioch.

774Revolt and Extraordinary Death of Procopius. Eleusius, Bishop of Cyzicus, andEunomius, the Heretic. Eunomius succeeds Eleusius.

775Sufferings of those who maintained the Nicene Faith. Agelius, the Ruler of theNovatians.

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776Concerning Valentinian the Younger and Gratian. Persecution under Valens.The Homoousians, being oppressed by the Arians and Macedonians, send anEmbassy to Rome.

778The Confession of Eustathius, Silvanus, and Theophilus, the Deputies of theMacedonians, to Liberius, Bishop of Rome.

779Councils of Sicily and of Tyana. The Synod which was expected to be held inCilicia is dissolved by Valens. The Persecution at that Time. Athanasius theGreat flees again, and is in Concealment; by the Letter of Valens he reappears,and governs the Churches in Egypt.

782Demophilus, an Arian, became Bishop of Constantinople after Eudoxius. ThePious elect Evagrius. Account of the Persecution which ensued.

783Account of the Eighty Pious Delegates in Nicomedia, whom Valens burnedwith the Vessel in Mid-Sea.

784Disputes between Eusebius, Bishop of Cæsarea, and Basil the Great. Hence theArians took courage and came to Cæsarea, and were repulsed.

785Basil becomes Bishop of Cæsarea after Eusebius; his Boldness towards theEmperor and the Prefect.

787Friendship of Basil and of Gregory, the Theologian; being Peers in Wisdom,they defend the Nicene Doctrines.

788The Persecution which occurred at Antioch, on the Orontes. The Place of Prayerin Edessa, called after the Apostle Thomas; the Assembly there, and Confessionof the Inhabitants of Edessa.

789Death of the Great Athanasius; the Elevation of Lucius, who was Arian-Minded,to the See; the Numerous Calamities he brought upon the Churches in Egypt;Peter, who served after Athanasius, passed over to Rome.

790Persecution of the Egyptian Monks, and of the Disciples of St. Antony. Theywere enclosed in a Certain Island on Account of their Orthodoxy; the Miracleswhich they Wrought.

792List of the Places in which the Nicene Doctrines were Represented; Faithmanifested by the Scythians; Vetranio, the Leader of this Race.

794At that Time, the Doctrine of the Holy Ghost was agitated, and it was decidedthat he is to be considered Consubstantial with the Father and the Son.

795Death of Liberius, Bishop of Rome. He is succeeded by Damasus and Syricius.Orthodox Doctrines prevail Everywhere throughout the West, except at Milan,where Auxentius is the High-Priest. Synod held at Rome, by which Auxentiusis deposed; the Definition which it sent by Letter.

xxiv

798Concerning St. Ambrose and his Elevation to the High Priesthood; how hepersuaded the People to practice Piety. The Novatians of Phrygia and thePassover.

800Concerning Apolinarius: Father and Son of that Name. Vitalianus, the Presbyter.On being dislodged from One Kind of Heresy, they incline to Others.

802Eunomius and his Teacher Aëtius, their Affairs and Doctrines. They were thefirst who broached One Immersion for the Baptism.

804Account Given, by Gregory the Theologian, of Apolinarius and Eunomius, ina Letter to Nectarius. Their Heresy was distinguished by the Philosophy of theMonks who were then Living, for the Heresy of these two held Nearly the EntireEast.

806Of the Holy Men who flourished at this Period in Egypt. John, or Amon, Benus,Theonas, Copres, Helles, Elias, Apelles, Isidore, Serapion, Dioscorus, andEulogius.

808Concerning the Monks of Thebaïs: Apollos, Dorotheus; concerning Piammon,John, Mark, Macarius, Apollodorus, Moses, Paul, who was in Ferma, Pacho,Stephen, and Pior.

813Monks of Scetis: Origen, Didymus, Cronion, Orsisius, Putubatus, Arsion,Serapion, Ammon, Eusebius, and Dioscorus, the Brethren who are called Long,and Evagrius the Philosopher.

815Concerning the Monks of Nitria, and the Monasteries called Cells; about theOne in Rhinocorura; about Melas, Dionysius, and Solon.

817Monks of Palestine: Hesycas, Epiphanius, who was afterwards in Cyprus,Ammonius, and Silvanus.

819Monks of Syria and Persia: Battheus, Eusebius, Barges, Halas, Abbo, Lazarus,Abdaleus, Zeno, Heliodorus, Eusebius of Carræ, Protogenes, and Aones.

820Monks of Edessa: Julianus, Ephraim Syrus, Barus, and Eulogius; Further, theMonks of Cœle-Syria: Valentinus, Theodore, Merosas, Bassus, Bassonius; andthe Holy Men of Galatia and Cappadocia, and Elsewhere; why those Saints untilrecently were Long-Lived.

822The Wooden Tripod and the Succession of the Emperor, through a Knowledgeof its Letters. Destruction of the Philosophers; Astronomy.

824Expedition against the Sarmatians; Death of Valentinian in Rome; Valentinianthe Younger proclaimed; Persecution of the Priests; Oration of the PhilosopherThemistius, on account of which Valens was disposed to treat those who differedfrom him more Humanely.

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826Concerning the Barbarians beyond the Danube, who were driven out by theHuns, and advanced to the Romans, and their Conversion to Christianity;Ulphilas and Athanarichus; Occurrences between them; whence the Gothsreceived Arianism.

829Concerning Mania, the Phylarch of the Saracens. When the Treaty with theRomans was dissolved, Moses, their Bishop, who had been ordained by theChristians, renewed it. Narrative concerning the Ishmaelites and the Saracens,and their Goods; and how they began to be Christianized through Zocomus,Their Phylarch.

832Peter, having returned from Rome, regains the Churches of Egypt, after Luciushad given way; Expedition of Valens into the West against the Scythians.

833Saint Isaac, the Monk, predicts the Death of Valens. Valens in his Flight entersa Chaff-House, is consumed, and so yields up his Life.

834Book VII

834When the Romans are pressed by the Barbarians, Mavia sends Assistance, andsome of the Populace effect a Victory. Gratian commands each to believe as hewishes.

835Gratian elects Theodosius of Spain to reign with him, Arianism prevailsthroughout the Eastern Churches except that of Jerusalem. Council of Antioch.The Settlement of the Presidency of the Churches.

836Concerning St. Meletius and Paulinus, Bishop of Antioch. Their Oath respectingthe Episcopal See.

837Reign of Theodosius the Great; he was initiated into Divine Baptism byAscholius, Bishop of Thessalonica. The Letters he addressed to those who didnot hold the Definition of the Council of Nice.

838Gregory, the Theologian, receives from Theodosius the Government of theChurches. Expulsion of Demophilus, and of all who deny that the Son is“Consubstantial” with the Father.

840Concerning the Arians; and Further, the Success of Eunomius. Boldness of St.Amphilochius toward the Emperor.

842Concerning the Second Holy General Council, and the Place and Cause of itsConvention. Abdication of Gregory the Theologian.

844Election of Nectarius to the See of Constantinople; his Birthplace and Education.

846Decrees of the Second General Council. Maximus, the Cynical Philosopher.

848Concerning Martyrius of Cilicia. Translation of the Remains of St. Paul theConfessor, and of Meletius, Bishop of Antioch.

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849Ordination of Flavian as Bishop of Antioch, and Subsequent Occurrences onAccount of the Oath.

850Project of Theodosius to unify all the Heresies. The Propositions made by Ageliusand Sisinius, the Novatians. At another Synod, the Emperor received those onlywho represent Consubstantiality; those who held a different View he ejectedfrom the Churches.

852Maximus the Tyrant. Concerning the Occurrences between the Empress Justinaand St. Ambrose. The Emperor Gratian was killed by Guile. Valentinian andhis Mother fled to Theodosius in Thessalonica.

854Birth of Honorius. Theodosius leaves Arcadius at Constantinople, and proceedsto Italy. Succession of the Novatian and other Patriarchs. Audacity of the Arians.Theodosius, after destroying the Tyrant, celebrates a Magnificent Triumph inRome.

855Flavian and Evagrius, Bishops of Antioch. The Events at Alexandria upon theDestruction of the Temple of Dionysus. The Serapeum and the other IdolatrousTemples which were destroyed.

858In What Manner, and from What Cause, the Functions of the Presbyter,Appointed to Preside over the Imposition of Penance, were abolished.Dissertation on the Mode of Imposing Penance.

860Banishment of Eunomius by Theodosius the Great. Theophronius, his Successor;of Eutychus, and of Dorotheus, and their Heresies; of those called Psathyrians;Division of the Arians into Different Parties; those in Constantinople were moreLimited.

863Another Heresy, that of the Sabbatians, is originated by the Novatians. TheirSynod in Sangarus. Account in Greater Detail of the Easter Festival.

866A List Worthy of Study, Given by the Historian, of Customs among DifferentNations and Churches.

868Extension of our Doctrines, and Complete Demolition of Idolatrous Temples.Inundation of the Nile.

869Discovery of the Honored Head of the Forerunner of our Lord, and the Eventsabout it.

871Death of Valentinian the Younger, Emperor in Rome, through Strangling. TheTyrant Eugenius. Prophecy of John, the Monk of Thebaïs.

873Exaction of Tribute in Antioch, and Demolition of the Statues of the Emperor.Embassy headed by Flavian the Chief Priest.

874Victory of Theodosius the Emperor over Eugenius.

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876Intrepid Bearing of St. Ambrose in the Presence of the Emperor Theodosius.Massacre at Thessalonica. Narrative of the other Righteous Deeds of this Saint.

878St. Donatus, Bishop of Eurœa, and Theotimus, High-Priest of Scythia.

880St. Epiphanius, Bishop of Cyprus, and a Particular Account of his Acts.

882Acacius, Bishop of Berœa, Zeno, and Ajax, Men Distinguished and Renownedfor Virtue.

884Discovery of the Remains of the Prophets Habakkuk and Micah. Death of theEmperor Theodosius the Great.

885Book VIII

885Successors of Theodosius the Great. Rufinus, the Prætorian Prefect, is Slain.The Chief Priests of the Principal Cities. Differences among the Heretics. Accountof Sisinius, Bishop of the Novatians.

887Education, Training, Conduct, and Wisdom of the Great John Chrysostom; hisPromotion to the See; Theophilus, Bishop of Alexandria, becomes his ConfirmedOpponent.

890Rapid Promotion of John to the Bishopric, and more Vehement Grappling withits Affairs. He re-establishes Discipline in the Churches everywhere. By sendingan Embassy to Rome, he abolished the Hostility to Flavian.

891Enterprise of Gaïnas, the Gothic Barbarian. Evils which he perpetrated.

894John swayed the People by his Teachings. Concerning the Woman, a Followerof Macedonius, on account of whom the Bread was turned into a Stone.

895Proceedings of John in Asia and Phrygia. Heraclides, Bishop of Ephesus, andGerontius, Bishop of Nicomedia.

897Concerning Eutropius, Chief of the Eunuchs, and the Law enacted by him. Onbeing turned from the Church, he was put to Death. Murmurs against John.

898Antiphonal Hymns against the Arians introduced by John. The Interests of theOrthodox are much augmented by the Teachings of John, while the Wealthyare More and More Enraged.

899Serapion, the Archdeacon, and St. Olympias. Some of the Celebrated Meninsolently bear down upon John, traducing him as Impracticable and Passionate.

900Severian, Bishop of Gabales, and Antiochus, Bishop of Ptolemaïs. Disputebetween Serapion and Severian. Reconciliation between them effected by theEmpress.

902Question agitated in Egypt, as to whether God has a Corporeal Form. Theophilus,Bishop of Alexandria, and the Books of Origen.

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903About the Four Brothers, called “The Long,” who were Ascetics, and of whomTheophilus was an Enemy; about Isidore and the Events which came aboutthrough these Four.

905These Four repair to John on account of his Interest; for this Reason, Theophiluswas enraged, and prepares himself to fight against John.

906Perversity of Theophilus. St. Epiphanius: his Residence at Constantinople andPreparation to excite the People against John.

908The Son of the Empress and St. Epiphanius. Conference between the “LongBrothers” and Epiphanius, and his Re-Embarkation for Cyprus. Epiphaniusand John.

909The Dispute between the Empress and John. Arrival of Theophilus from Egypt.Cyrinus, Bishop of Chalcedon.

910Council held by Theophilus and the Accusers of John in Rufinianæ. John issummoned to attend, and not being present, was deposed by Them.

912Sedition of the People against Theophilus; and they traduced their Rulers. Johnwas recalled, and again came to the See.

914Obstinancy of Theophilus. Enmity between the Egyptians and the Citizens ofConstantinople. Flight of Theophilus. Nilammon the Ascetic. The Synodconcerning John.

916The Statue of the Empress; what happened there; the Teaching of John;Convocation of another Synod against John; his Deposition.

917Calamities suffered by the People after the Expulsion of John. The Plots againsthim of Assassination.

919Unlawful Expulsion of John from his Bishopric. The Trouble which followed.Conflagration of the Church by Fire from Heaven. Exile of John to Cucusus.

921Arsacius elected to succeed John. The Evils wrought against the Followers ofJohn. St. Nicarete.

923Eutropius the Reader, and the Blessed Olympian, and the Presbyter Tigrius, arepersecuted on account of their Attachment to John. The Patriarchs.

925Since these Ills existed in the Church, Secular Affairs also fell into Disorder. TheAffairs of Stilicho, the General of Honorius.

926Two Epistles from Innocent, the Pope of Rome, of which one was addressed toJohn Chrysostom, and the other to the Clergy of Constantinople concerningJohn.

929The Terrible Events which resulted from the Treatment of John. Death of theEmpress Eudoxia. Death of Arsacius. And further concerning Atticus, thePatriarch, his Birthplace, and Character.

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931Effort of Innocent, Bishop of Rome, to recall John through a Council. Concerningthose who were sent by him to make Trial of the Matter. The Death of JohnChrysostom.

932Book IX

932Death of Arcadius, and Government of Theodosius the Younger. His Sisters.Piety, Virtue, and Virginity, of the Princess Pulcheria; her Divinely Loved Works;she educated the Emperor Befittingly.

934Discovery of the Relics of Forty Holy Martyrs.

937The Virtues of Pulcheria; Her Sisters.

938Truce with Persia. Honorius and Stilicho. Transactions in Rome and Dalmatia.

939The Different Nations took up Arms against the Romans, of whom some were,through the Providence of God defeated, and others brought to Terms of Amity.

940Alaric the Goth. He assaulted Rome, and straitened it by War.

941Innocent the Bishop of the Presbytery of Rome. He sent an Embassy to Alaric.Jovius, Prefect of Italy. Embassy dispatched to the Emperor. Events concerningAlaric.

942Rebellion of Attalus and his General Heraclean; and how he eventually cravedForgiveness at the Feet of Honorius.

944The Disturbance which the Greeks and Christians had about Attalus. TheCourageous Saros; Alaric, by a Stratagem, obtains Possession of Rome, andprotected the Sacred Asylum of the Apostle Peter.

945A Roman Lady who manifested a Deed of Modesty.

946The Tyrants who in the West at that Time rebelled against Honorius. They arewholly destroyed on account of the Emperor's Love of God.

947Theodosiolus and Lagodius. The Races of the Vandals and Suevi. Death ofAlaric. Flight of the Tyrants Constantine and Constans.

948Concerning Gerontius, Maximus, and the Troops of Honorius. Capture ofGerontius and his Wife; their Death.

949Constantine. The Army of Honorius and Edovicus his General. Defeat ofEdovicus by Ulphilas, the General of Constantine. Death of Edovicus.

950Constantine throws aside the Emblems of Imperial Power, and is ordained asPresbyter; his Subsequent Death. Death of the other Tyrants who had conspiredagainst Honorius.

951Honorius the Ruler, a Lover of God. Death of Honorius. His Successors,Valentinian, and Honoria his Daughter; the Peace which was then Worldwide.

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952Discovery of the Relics of Zechariah the Prophet, and of Stephen theProto-Martyr.

953General Indexes

954General Index to Socrates' Ecceliastical History

991General Index to Sozomen's Ecceliastical History

1021Indexes

1022Index of Scripture References

1025Greek Words and Phrases

1033German Words and Phrases

1036French Words and Phrases

1037Index of Pages of the Print Edition

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A SELECT LIBRARYOF THENICENE ANDPOST-NICENE FATHERSOFTHE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.SECOND SERIESTRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH WITH PROLEGOMENA AND EXPLANATORY

NOTES.VOLUMES I–VII.UNDER THE EDITORIAL SUPERVISION OFPHILIP SCHAFF, D.D., LL.D.,PROFESSOR OF CHURCH HISTORY IN THE UNION THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY,

NEW YORK.ANDHENRY WACE, D.D.,PRINCIPAL OF KING’S COLLEGE, LONDON.VOLUME IISOCRATES & SOZOMENUSECCLESIASTICAL HISTORIEST&T CLARKEDINBURGH__________________________________________________WM. B. EERDMANS PUBLISHING COMPANYGRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN

Title Page.

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v

THEECCLESIASTICAL HISTORYOFSOCRATES SCHOLASTICUS.Revised, with Notes, byThe rev. A. C. Zenos, D.d.Professor of New Testament Exegesis in the TheologicalSeminary at Hartford, Conn.

The Ecclesiastical History of Socrates Scholasticus.Title Page.

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Prefatory Note.————————————The basis of the present edition of Socrates’ Ecclesiastical History is the translation in

Bagster’s series mentioned in the Introduction, Part IV. The changes introduced, however,are numerous. The translation was found unnecessarily free; so far as the needs of the Englishidiom require freedom no fault could, of course, have been found with the translation; butthe divergences from the original in multitudes of cases were not warranted by any suchneed; they were more probably induced by the prevailing style of rhetoric common in thedays when the translation was made. The change which has gradually come about in thisrespect called for modifications in the present edition. Many more might have been intro-duced without damage to the work. But it was felt that the scope and purpose of the editiononly called for the most necessary of these changes.

In the preparation of the notes the editions of Hussey and Reading, containing Valesius’and Reading’s annotations, were freely used. Whenever a note was taken bodily from these,it has been quoted and duly credited. It was thought best, however, usually to condense andreduce the number and bulk of these notes and introduce sparingly such new notes as weresuggested by more recent study in ecclesiastical history.

The Introduction is almost altogether dependent on the literature quoted in Part I. Thewriter claims no original discovery respecting Socrates or his work. The facts had been dili-gently collected by his predecessors; he has simply rearranged them and put them into ex-pression such as, to his mind, suits the requirements of the plan of the series.

A.C. Zenos.

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Introduction.————————————I. Sources and Literature.1

U. Chevalier in his Repertoire des sources historiques du Moyen Age gives the followinglist of authorities on Socrates Scholasticus.

Baronius:* Ann. [1593] 439, 39. Cf. Pagi, Crit. [1689] 9, 11, 427, 15–6.Bellarmin Labbé: S. E. [1728] 164.Brunet:* Manuel [1864] V. 425.Cave:* S. E. [1741] I. 427.Ceillier:* Hist. Aut. Eccl. [1747] XIII. p. 669–88. (2 a VIII. 514–25.)Darling:* Cyclopædia Bibliographica; Authors.Du Pin:* Bibl. Aut Eccl. [1702] III. ii. 183.Ebed-Jesu: Cat. Scr. Eccl 29. (Assemani: Bibl. Orient. III. 141.)Fabricius:* Bibl. Græc. [1714] VI. 117–21. (2 a VII. 423–7.)Graesse:* Trésor [1865] VI. 1, 429.Hoffmann: Lex. Bibl. Gr. [1836] III. 625–6.Holzhausen: Commentatio de fontibus quibus Socrates, Sozomenus ac Theodoretus usi

sunt, &c. Götting. 1825.Jöcher.Nouvelle Biog. Gen.:* [1868] XLIV. 127–8.Nolte:2 Tübing. Quartalschrift [1860] 518; [1861] 417–51.Patrologia Græca* (Migné) LXVII. 9–26.Sigebert: Gembl. S. E. 10.Tillemont:3 Hist. des Emp. [1738] VI. 119–22.Trithemius: Scr. Eccl. 137.Vossius: Hist. Græca [1651] 259.Walford:4 in Bohn’s Eccl. Libr. VI. 1853.

1 All works marked with a star in Chevalier’s list were used in the present edition, and all but two or three of

those added to the list of Chevalier.

2 Nolte’s article is on the textual emendations needed in the edition of Socrates. The text of our historian has

not been as thoroughly and completely examined and corrected as other writings. Valesius’ edition (Hussey)

gives an account of a few mss. examined by himself; nothing further has been done of any importance. It is to

be hoped that Gebhardt and Harnack may find it convenient to incorporate a new collation and revision in their

Texte und Untersuchungen.

3 All works marked with a star in Chevalier’s list were used in the present edition, and all but two or three of

those added to the list of Chevalier.

4 E. Walford, A.M., appears as the translator of Sozomen, not of Socrates. See IV. of Introduction, note 6.

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To these there should be added important notices of Socrates or his Ecclesiastical Historyas follows:

F. C Baur: Die Epochen der Kirchlichen Geschichtschreibung Tübing. 1852, p. 7–32.J. G. Dowling: An Introduction to the Critical Study of Ecclesiastical History.Ad. Harnack: In Herzog-Plitt’s Real Enkyclop. vol. 14, Sokrates und Sozomenos and in

Encyclop. Britannica, Socrates.K. O. Müller: History of Greek Literature: English translation and continuation by

Donaldson, Vol. III.Rössler: Bibliothek der Kirchenväter.Jeep: Quellenuntersuchungen zu der griech. Kirchenhistorikern. Leipsic, 1884.Sarrazin: De Theodoro Lectore, Theophanis Fonte præcipuo, 1881.Stäudlin: Gesch. und Literatur der Kirchen-geschichte, 1827.Overbeck: Theol. Liter.-Zeitung, 1879. No. 20.Also articles on Socrates in Smith’s Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and

Mythology (by John Calrow Means) and Smith & Wace: Dictionary of Christian Biography(William Milligan), as well as passing notices in standard ecclesiastical histories such asNeander, Hase, Killen, Schaff, &c., and Introductory notices of Valesius (Hussey), Parker,Bright, &c.

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II. Life of Socrates.We cannot but regret the fact that the age in which Socrates lived cared little, if at all,

about recording the lives of its literary men. The only sources of information in this respectare the writings themselves of these literary men and the public records, in case they heldthe double character of literary men and political or ecclesiastical officials. As Socrates didnot participate in the public affairs of his day, our information respecting him is confinedto the scanty and incidental items we may gather from his history. As he was not very fondof speaking of himself, these data are few and often of doubtful significance. In fact, the re-construction of his biography from these scattered items is a matter of difficult critical in-vestigation.

All that these inadequate materials yield of his biography may be summed up as follows:He was born in Constantinople.5 He nowhere mentions his parents or ancestry, and no

information has reached us on this point from any other source. The year of his birth is in-ferred from what he says of his education at the hands of the grammarians Helladius andAmmonias.6 These grammarians were originally Egyptian priests living in Alexandria—theformer of Jupiter, and the latter of Pithecus (Simius); they fled from their native city inconsequence of the disturbances which followed the cleansing of the Mithreum and destruc-tion of the Serapeum by the bishop Theophilus. It appears that at that time an open conflicttook place between the pagans and Christians, and many of the pagans having taken partin the tumult, laid themselves open to criminal prosecution, and to avoid this, took refugein other cities,—a large number of them naturally in Constantinople. TheChronicon ofMarcellinus puts this event in the consulship of Timasius and Promotus, i.e. 389 a.d. Now,as Socrates was very young7 when he came to these grammarians, and it was the custom tosend children to the schools at the age of ten, Valesius has reasoned that Socrates must havebeen born in 379; others have named 3808 as a more probable date for this event. Otherdata for ascertaining the exact date of Socrates’ birth are of very doubtful significance. Hespeaks, for instance, of Auxanon,9 a Novatian presbyter, from whom he had received certain

5 So he says in V. 24.

6 V. 16. On the destruction of the Serapeum, see Sozom. VII. 15; Theodeoret, H. E. V. 22; Nicephor. XII. 25;

Eunap. Ædes. par. 77; Suidas, Σάραπις. Helladius, according to Suidas, wrote a Dictionary, besides other works.

Cf. s. v. ᾽Ελλάδιος.

7 κομιδῆ νέος ὤν.

8 Valesius’ reasoning is based on the assumption that Socrates was sent to the grammarians as soon as they

arrived at Constantinople. If, however, an interval of several years elapsed before his going to them, the date of

his birth must be put correspondingly later. The only certainty reached through this datum is that he was born

nor earlier than 379.

9 I. 13 and II. 38.

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information; but as Auxanon lived till after the accession of Theodosius the Younger in 408a.d., it is impossible to draw any conclusion from this fact. So again Socrates mentions thepatriarchate of Chrysostom in Constantinople (398–403) as if he had received his informationat second hand,10 and thus implies that he was perhaps too young to be an interested eye-witness of the events of that period. But how young he was we cannot infer from this fact;and so cannot take the patriarchate of Chrysostom as a starting-point for our chronologyof Socrates’ life. Still another item that might have served as a datum in the case, had it beendefinitely associated with a known event in Socrates’ career, is his mention of a disputebetween the Eunomians and Macedonians which took place in Constantinople in 394.11 Ifhe were an eye-witness of this quarrel, he must have been old enough to take an interest init, hence about fourteen or fifteen years of age. But this conclusion, even though it coincidesexactly with the date found previously (379), is not at all certain, as he does not state thathe was an eye-witness; and if the reasoning is correct, then he was not too young to be inter-ested in the events of Chrysostom’s patriarchate which occurred a little later. Thus, on thewhole, while it is extremely probable that Valesius is right in setting the date of Socrates’birth in 379, this event may have taken place several years later.

Nothing further is known of Socrates’ early life and education except that he studiedunder Ammonius and Helladius, as already noted. Valesius has conjectured from the mention

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of Troïlus, the famous rhetorician,12 that Socrates must have received instruction from thisteacher also, but with no sufficient foundation.13

Socrates always remained a resident of Constantinople, and was evidently proud of hisnative city, and fond of alluding to its history as well as its actual condition. He relates howthe Emperor Constantine enlarged it and gave it its present name in place of the formerheathen name it bore (Byzantium).14 He speaks of its populousness, and at the same timeof its ability to support its many inhabitants from its abundant resources.15 He looks on itspublic structures very much as the ancient Israelite did on the ‘towers and battlements’ ofJerusalem. He mentions especially the walls built by Theodosius the Younger, the Forums

10 VI. 3, and ὥςφασι.

11 V. 24.

12 VII. 1 and 2. See note on VII. 1. Socrates speaks of Troilus as a native of Side in Pamphilia, and mentions

Eusebius and Silvanus and Alabius (both the latter bishops) as distinguished pupils of Troilus, and finally adds

that Anthemius, who during the minority of Theodosius acted as regent, was dependent on the influence of

Troilus; in which connection he further adds that Troilus was not inferior to Anthemius in political sagacity.

13 Professor Milligan, in Smith & Wace’s Dictionary of Biography, even says that Socrates assisted Troilus,

but adduces no proof for the statement.

14 I. 16.

15 IV. 16, end; VII. 37.

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of Constantine and Theodosius, the Amphitheatre, the Hippodrome with its Delphic tripods,the baths, especially that called Zeuxippus,16 the churches of which he names at differenttimes as many as five; viz.: the church of the Apostles, erected by Constantine especially forthe burying of the emperors and priests;17 the church of St. Sophia, which he calls ‘the greatchurch’; the church of St. Irene,18 located in the same enclosure as that of St. Sophia; thechurch of St. Acacius, together with its appendages;19 and the chapel of St. John, built sevenmiles outside the city.20 Besides these he also mentions circumstantially the porch andshambles and porphyry column near which Arius was attacked with his sudden and fatalillness,21 the region called Sycæ, and the tomb of Alexander the Paphlagonian, who wastortured and died in prison during the temporary supremacy of the Arians.22

Although there is no distinct mention of his ever having left the great city,23 it is improb-able that, like his great Athenian namesake, he was averse to traveling. In fact, his frequentmention of the customs of Paphlagonians, Thessalians, Cyprians, and others with minutenessof detail, rather gives the impression that he had visited these places.

According to the preponderance of evidence Socrates was trained as a pleader or advoc-ate, and practiced this profession for a time. Hence his cognomen of Scholasticus.24 At theinstance of a certain Theodorus he undertook to write a continuation of the EcclesiasticalHistory of Eusebius, bringing it down to the seventeenth consulate of the EmperorTheodosius the Younger (439 a.d.).25

16 II. 16.

17 I. 40.

18 II. 16; I. 37.

19 II. 38 and VI. 23.

20 VI. 6.

21 I. 38.

22 II. 38.

23 V. 8.

24 The various meanings of this word may be found in Du Cange’s Glossarium Mediæ et Infimæ Græcitates

and in Sophocles’ Greek Lexicon of the Roman and Byzantine Periods. From its primary meaning of ‘student’ it

came to be applied to any one who had passed through study to the professions, of which the advocate’s was

one. From the absence of the cognomen in Photius’ account of Socrates, Bibliotheca Cod. 28, as well as in that

of Nicephorus Callisti, H. E. I. 1, Hamburger, as quoted by Fabricius, Bibl. Græc. VII. p. 423, note g, and Ceillier,

Auteurs Sacrés, XIII. p. 669, doubt whether the title was rightly applied to him. Valesius argues from internal

grounds that Socrates was a layman and a lawyer. Harnack, on the other hand, denies that there is any evidence

of juristic knowledge in Socrates’ History, even in such passages as I. 30, 31, and V. 18.

25 VII. 48

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Life of Socrates.

This year is the last definitely mentioned in his work. He must have lived, however,until some time after that date, as he speaks of a revision of the first two books of the His-tory.26 How much later it is impossible to tell: it was not certainly till after the end ofTheodosius’ reign; for then he would have brought down his history to that event, and thuscompleted his seventh book according to the plan, which is evident in his whole work, ofassigning one complete book to each one of the emperors comprised in his period.

Of the character of Socrates as a man we know as little as of the events of his life. Evid-ently he was a lover of peace, as he constantly speaks with abhorrence of the atrocities ofwar, and deprecates even differences in theological standpoint on account of the strife andill-feeling which they engender.

xii

Socrates’ knowledge of Latin has been inferred from his use of Rufinus,27 but Dodwell28

conjectures that Socrates read Rufinus in a Greek translation, and that such translation hadbeen made by Gelasius.

Inasmuch as he lived in, and wrote of, an age of controversies, and his testimony mustbe weighed according to his theological standpoint, this standpoint has been made thesubject of careful study. There is no doubt left by his explicit declarations about his agreementin the main with the position of the orthodox or catholic church of his age, as far as theseare distinguished from those of Arians, Macedonians, Eunomians, and other heretics. Butas to his attitude towards Novatianism there has been considerable difference of opinion.That he was a member of the Novatian sect has been held after Nicephorus Callisti29 byBaronius, Labbæus, and others, and argued from various considerations drawn from hiswork. Some of these are: that he gives the succession of the Novatian bishops of Con-stantinople;30 that he knows and mentions Novatian bishops of other places, e.g. of Rome,31

of Scythia,32 of Nicæa;33 that he mentions Novatian churches as existing in Phrygia and

26 II. 1.

27 I. 12, 19; III. 19; IV. 24, 26.

28 De jure sacerdotali, p. 278. Cf. on translation by Gelasius, Smith & Wace, Dictionary of Christian Biography,

II. p. 621.

29 Niceph. H. E. I. 1.

30 Cf. V. 21; VII. 6, 12, 17.

31 V. 14; VII. 9, 11.

32 VII. 46.

33 VII. 25.

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Paphlagonia,34 in Lydia,35 in Cyzicum,36 in Nicæa,37 in Nicomedia and Cotyæum,38 andin Alexandria;39 that he knows and describes their church edifices;40 that he knows theirinternal troubles and trials,41 especially their position on the Paschal controversy;42 that hegives vent to expressions of a sympathetic nature with the rigor practiced by the Novatianchurch;43 that he records the criticisms of Novatians on Chrysostom and the opinion thathis deposition was a just retribution for his persecution of the Novatians;44 that he attributesmiracles to Paul, Novatian bishop of Constantinople,45 takes the testimony of Novatianwitnesses,46 rejects current charges against them,47 and finally speaks of the death ofNovatian as a martyrdom.48

On the other hand, Valesius, followed by most of the more recent writers on Socrates,claims that all these facts are due to the extreme impartiality of the historian, his sense ofthe justice due to a sect whose good he appreciated, together with his lack of interest in thedifferences between their standpoint and that of the Catholics. Socrates treats otherheretical sects with the same generous consideration, e.g. the Arian Goths, whose death herecords as a martyrdom;49 and yet he has never been suspected of inclining towardsArianism. At the same time he mentions the Novatians as distinct from the CatholicChurch,50 and everywhere implies that the Church for him is the latter.

To account for the apparently different conclusions to which these two series of consid-erations point, some have assumed that Socrates had been a Novatian, but before the writingof his history had either gradually drifted into the Catholic Church, or for reasons of prudence

34 IV. 28.

35 VI. 19.

36 II. 38; III. 11.

37 VII. 12.

38 IV. 28.

39 VII. 7.

40 II. 38; VII. 39.

41 V. 21.

42 V. 22.

43 IV. 28; V. 19; VI. 21, 22; VII. 25.

44 VI. 19 and 21.

45 VII. 17, 39.

46 I. 10, 13; II. 38; IV. 28.

47 V. 10.

48 IV. 28.

49 IV. 33.

50 VI. 20, 23; IV. 28; V. 19; VII. 3.

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had severed his connection with the lesser body and entered the state church, retaining,however, throughout his whole course a strong sympathy for the communion of his earlierdays.51 Others attribute his favorable attitude towards Novatianism to his general indifferencefor theological refinements, others to mere intellectual sympathy for their tenets. In theabsence of any definite utterance of his own on the subject, a combination of the last twomotives comes nearest to sufficiently explaining the position of Socrates, although his ratherunappreciative estimate of Chrysostom52 and his severe censure of Cyril of Alexandria53

are both more easily accounted for on the ground of a more intimate relation between thehistorian and the Novatians, as both of the above-named eminent men were declared enemiesof Novatianism.

In other respects it cannot be doubted that the creed of Socrates was very simple and

xiii

primitive. The one essential article in it was the doctrine of the Trinity; all others were sub-ordinate. Even as to the Trinity, he would have accepted a much less rigid definition thanthe one propounded at Nicæa. As, however, the latter had been generally adopted by thechurch, he finds himself defending it against Arianism as well as against all sorts of com-promise. He believed in the inspiration of the great synods as well as in that of the Scriptures,and was satisfied to receive without questioning the decisions of the former as he did theteachings of the latter. He was not, however, particular about the logical consequences ofhis theological positions, but ready to break off upon sufficient extra-theological reasons.His warm defense of Origen and arraignment of Methodius, Eustathius, Apollinaris, andTheophilus,54 for attempting to belittle the great Alexandrian, shows how his admirationof a genius came into and modified his estimates. He considered all disputes on dogmaticstatements as unnecessary and injurious, due to misunderstanding; and this chiefly becausethe parties in the dispute did not take pains to understand one another, and perhaps didnot desire to do so because of personal jealousies or previous and private hatreds.55 He iswilling to refer such lawful questions on doctrinal points as may come before him to theclergy for decision, and is never backward about confessing his ignorance and incompetencyto deal with theological refinements.

He makes a cogent defense of the use of pagan writings by Christians,56 alleging thatsome of the pagan writers were not far from the knowledge of the true God; that Paul himselfhad read and used their works; that the neglect or refusal to use them could only lead to ig-

51 So Harnack in Herzog-Plitt, Real-Encykl. and Encyclop. Britan.

52 VI. 3, 4, 5, 15, 18, 19, 21.

53 VII. 15.

54 VI. 13, 17; VII. 45.

55 I. 23; cf. also II. 40, end: ἀλλ᾽