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| Character and Conduct of Atticus Bishop of Constantinople.
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Chapter II.—Character
and Conduct of Atticus Bishop of Constantinople.
When Theodosius the emperor was
in the eighth year of his age, Atticus was in the third year of his
presidency over the church at Constantinople, a man as we have by
anticipation said906
distinguished alike for his learning, piety, and discretion, wherefore
it came about that the churches under his episcopate attained a very
flourishing condition. For he not only united those of ‘the
household of faith,’907
but also by his prudence called forth the admiration of the heretics,
whom indeed he by no means desired to harass; but if he sometimes was
obliged to impress them with the fear of himself, he soon afterward
showed himself mild and clement toward them. But indeed he did not
neglect his studies; for he assiduously labored in perusing the
writings of the ancients, and often spent whole nights in the task; and
thus he could not be confused by the reasonings of the philosophers,
and the fallacious subtleties of the sophists. Besides this he was
affable and entertaining in conversation, and ever ready to sympathize
with the afflicted: and in a word, to sum up his excellences in the
apostle’s saying, ‘He was made all things to all
men.’908
Formerly while a presbyter, he had been accustomed, after composing his
sermons, to commit them to memory, and then recite them in the church:
but by diligent application he acquired confidence and made his
instruction extemporaneous and eloquent. His discourses however were
not such as to be received with much applause by his auditors, nor to
deserve to be committed to writing. Let these particulars respecting
his talents, erudition, and manners suffice. We must now proceed to
relate such things as are worthy of record, that happened in his
time.
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