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| Concerning the Arians; and Further, the Success of Eunomius. Boldness of St. Amphilochius toward the Emperor.
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Chapter VI.—Concerning
the Arians; and Further, the Success of Eunomius. Boldness of St.
Amphilochius toward the Emperor.
The Arians, who were still very
strong in point of numbers,1526
| 1526Independent chapter. Cf. Philost. ix. 13, 14.
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and who, through the protection formerly granted by Constantius and
Valens, were still convening without fear, and discoursing publicly
concerning God and the Divine nature, now determined upon making an
attempt to gain over the emperor to their party, through the
intervention of individuals of their sect who held appointments at
court; and they entertained hopes of succeeding in this project, as
well as they had succeeded in the case of Constantius. These
machinations excited great anxiety and fear among the members of the
Catholic Church; but the chief cause of their apprehension was the
reasoning power of Eunomius. It appears that, during the reign of
Valens, Eunomius had some dispute with his own clergy at Cyzicus, and
had in consequence seceded from the Arians, and retired to Bithynia,
near Constantinople. Here multitudes resorted to him; some also
gathered from different quarters, a few with the design of testing his
principles, and others merely from the desire of listening to his
discourses. His reputation reached the ears of the emperor, who would
gladly have held a conference with him. But the Empress Flacilla1527
| 1527She was the first, and not the second, wife of
Theodosius, and the mother of Arcadius and Honorius. Her funeral
panegyric was delivered by Gregory of Nyssa (vol. iii. 877), as well as
that of her daughter Pulcheria, (id. 863). Cf. Philost. x. 7
(Placidia).
|
studiously prevented an interview from taking place between them; for
she was the most faithful guard of the Nicene doctrines, and feared
lest Eunomius might, by his powers of disputation, induce a change in
the sentiments of the emperor.
In the meantime, while these intrigues were being
carried on by each party, it is said that the bishops then residing in
Constantinople went to the emperor, to render him the customary
salutations. An old priest from a city of little note,1528
| 1528Theodoret, H. E. v. 16, refers this incident
to Amphilochius, bishop of Iconium and Nicephorus follows him, xii.
9.
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and who was simple and unworldly, yet well instructed in Divine
subjects, formed one of this party. The rest saluted the emperor with
uncovered head and very reverently. The aged priest greeted him in the
same form; but, instead of rendering equal honor to the prince, who was
seated beside his father, the old priest approached him, patted him
familiarly, and called him his dear child. The emperor was incensed and
enraged at the indignity offered to his son, in that he had not been
accorded like honor; and commanded that the old man should be thrust
from his presence with violence. While being pushed away, hither and
thither, however, the old priest turned around and exclaimed,
“Reflect, O emperor, on the wrath of the Heavenly Father against
those who do not honor His Son as Himself, and who have the audacity to
assert that the Son is inferior to the Father.” The emperor felt the force of
this observation, recalled the priest, apologized to him for what had
occurred, and confessed that he had spoken the truth. The emperor was
henceforward less disposed to hold intercourse with heretics, and he
prohibited contests and assemblies in the markets. He made it dangerous
to hold discussions of this kind about the substance and nature of God,
by enacting a law, and defining the punishments in this matter.1529
| 1529Cod. Theod. xvi. iv. De his, qui super
religione contendunt, 2.
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