Eusebius of Nicomedia - Revision history

Irlandos: /* Political and Religious career */

2008-05-02T12:11:44Z

Political and Religious career

Irlandos: /* Influence in the Imperial family and the Imperial court */

2008-01-03T16:17:30Z

Influence in the Imperial family and the Imperial court

Irlandos: /* Death and aftermath */

2008-01-03T16:15:02Z

Death and aftermath

Irlandos: /* References */

2008-01-03T16:14:18Z

References

Irlandos: New page: '''Eusebius of Nicomedia and Constantinople,''' (d. 341) was a bishop of Berytus (modern-day Beirut) in Phoenicia, then of Nicomedia where the imperial court resided in Bithynia, a...

2008-01-03T16:12:05Z

New page: '''Eusebius of Nicomedia and Constantinople,''' (d. 341) was a bishop of Berytus (modern-day Beirut) in Phoenicia, then of Nicomedia where the imperial court resided in Bithynia, a...

New page

'''Eusebius of Nicomedia and Constantinople,''' (d. [[341]]) was a bishop of Berytus (modern-day Beirut) in Phoenicia, then of [[Nicomedia]] where the imperial court resided in Bithynia, and finally of [[Constantinople]] from [[338]] up to his death.

==Influence in the Imperial family and the Imperial court==
Distantly related to the imperial family of [[Constantine the Great]], he not only owed his removal from an insignificant to the most important episcopal see to his influence at court, but the great power he wielded in the Church was derived from that source. In fact, during his time in the Imperial court, the Eastern court and the major positions in the Eastern Church were held by Arians or Arian sympathizers. <ref name=drake-pp395">Drake, "Constantine and the Bishops", pp.395.</ref> With the exception of a short period of eclipse, he enjoyed the complete confidence both of Constantine and [[Constantius II]] and was the tutor of the later Emperor [[Julian the Apostate]]; and it was he who baptized [[Constantine the Great]] in May, [[337]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05623b.htm|title=Eusebius of Nicomedia|work=Catholic Encyclopedia |accessdate=2007-02-18}}</ref> Also during his time in the Imperial court, Arianism became more popular with the Royal family.<ref name="ellingsen-pp121">Ellingsen, "Reclaiming Our Roots: An Inclusive Introduction to Church History, Vol. I, The Late First Century to the Eve of the Reformation", pp.121.</ref>. It can be logically surmised that Eusebius had a huge hand in the acceptance of Arianism in the Constantinian household. The Arian influence grew so strong during his tenure in the Imperial court that it wasn't until the end of the [[Constantinian dynasty]] and the appointment of [[Theodosius I]] that Arianism lost its influence in the Empire. <ref name="young-pp92">Young, "From Nicaea to Chalcedon", pp.92.</ref>.

It was of particular interest that Eusebius was nearly persecuted because of his close relationship to the Emperor Licinius while serving as Bishop of Nicomedia during Licinius' reign.

==Relations with Arius==
Like [[Arius]], he was a pupil of [[Lucian of Antioch]], and it is probable that he held the same views as Arius from the very beginning; he was also one of Arius' most fervent supporters whom encouraged Arius.<ref name="jones-pp121">Jones, "Constantine and the Conversion of Europe", pp.121.</ref> It was also because of this relationship that he was the first person whom Arius contacted after the latter was excommunicated from Alexandria by [[Alexander of Alexandria|Alexander]]. <ref name="young-pp59">Young, "From Nicaea to Chalcedon", pp.59.</ref>. Apparently, Arius and Eusebius were close enough and Eusebius powerful enough that Arius was able to put his theology down in writing.<ref name="young-pp61">Young, "From Nicaea to Chalcedon", pp.61.</ref> He afterward modified his ideas somewhat, or perhaps he only yielded to the pressure of circumstances; but he was, if not the teacher, at all events the leader and organizer, of the Arian party.

At the [[First Council of Nicaea]], [[325]], he signed the Confession, but only after a long and desperate opposition in which he "subscribe with hand only, not heart"<ref name="amidon-10.5">Amidon, "The Church History of Rufinus of Aquileia: Books 10 and 11", 10.5.</ref> according to ancient sources. It was a huge blow to the Arian party since it was surmised that the participants in the [[First Council of Nicaea]] were evenly split between non-Arians and Arians.<ref name="lim-pp183">Lim, "Public Disputation, power, and social order in late antiquity", pp.183.</ref>
His defense of Arius angered the emperor, and a few months after the council
he was sent into exile due to his continual contacts with Arius and the exiles.<ref name=drake-pp259">Drake, "Constantine and the Bishops", pp.259.</ref> After the lapse of three years, he succeeded in regaining the imperial favor by convincing Constantine that Arius and his views do not conflict with the Nicene Creed.<ref name="roldanus-pp82">Roldanus, "The Church in the Age of Constantine: the Theological Challenges", pp.82.</ref> After his return in [[329]] he brought the whole machinery of the state government into action in order to impose his views upon the [[Christianity|Church]].

==Political and Religious career==
Eusebius was more of a politician than anything else, and a good one too. Upon his return, he regained the lost ground resulted from the [[First Council of Nicaea]], established alliances with other groups such as the [[Meletians]] and expelled many opponents.

He was described by modern historians as an "ambitious intriguer" <ref name="roldanus-pp78">Roldanus, "The Church in the Age of Constantine: The Theological Challenges", pp.78.</ref> and a "consummate political player". <ref name=drake-pp395">Drake, "Constantine and the Bishops", pp.395.</ref> He was also described by ancient sources as a high-handed person who was also aggressive in his dealings.<ref name="amidon-10.12">Amidon, "The Church History of Rufinus of Aquileia: Books 10 and 11", 10.12.</ref>; he also used his allies to spy on his opponents.

He was able to dislodge and exile three key Arian opponents who espoused the [[First Council of Nicaea]]: [[Eustathius of Antioch]] in 330, [[Athanasius of Alexandria]] in 335 and [[Marcellus of Ancyra]] in 336. This was no small feat since Athanasius was regarded as a "man of God" by Constantine.<ref name="roldanus-pp84">Roldanus, "The Church in the Age of Constantine: the Theological Challenges", pp.84.</ref> and both Eustathius and Athanasius held top positions in the church.

Another major feat was his appointment as the Patriarch of Constantinople by expelling [[Paul I of Constantinople]]; Paul would eventually return as Patriarch after Eusebius' death.

Even outside the empire, Eusebius had great influence. He brought Ulfilas into the Arian priesthood and sent the latter to convert the heathen Goths.

Eusebius baptised [[Constantine the Great]] in his villa in Nicomedia, on May 22, 337 just before the death of the Emperor.

==Death and aftermath==
He died at the height of his power in the year 342.<ref name=drake-pp393">Drake, "Constantine and the Bishops", pp.393.</ref>

He was so influential that even after his death, [[Constantius II]] heeded his and Eudoxus of Constantinople's advice to attempt to convert the [[Roman Empire]] to [[Arianism]] by creating Arian Councils and official Arian Doctrines.<ref name=guitton-pp86">Guitton, "Great Heresies and Church Councils", pp.86.</ref>

It was because of Eusebius that "On the whole, Constantine and his successors made life pretty miserable for Church leaders committed to the Nicene decision and its Trinitarian formula."<ref name="ellingsen-pp119">Ellingsen, "Reclaiming Our Roots: An Inclusive Introduction to Church History, Vol. I, The Late First Century to the Eve of the Reformation", pp.119.</ref>

Unfortunately for him, his dream of having Arianism accepted by the masses never came to pass, since Arianism did not penetrate beyond the elite in society.

Eusebius of Nicomedia is not to be confused with his contemporary [[Eusebius of Caesarea]], the author of a well-known early book of Church History.

{{start box}}
{{succession box |
before=[[Paul I of Constantinople|Paul I]]|
title=[[List of Constantinople patriarchs|Bishop of Constantinople]]|
years=[[339]]–[[341]] |
after=[[Paul I of Constantinople|Paul I]]|
}}
{{end box}}

==Notes==
<div class="references-small" style="-moz-column-count:2; column-count:2;">
<references /></div>

==References==
* {{cite book
| last = Amidon
| first = Philip R.
| title = The Church History of Rufinus of Aquileia: Books 10 and 11
| location = New York
| publisher = Oxford University Press
| year = 1997
}}
* {{cite book
| last = Bright
| first = William
| title = The Age of the Fathers
| location = New York
| publisher = AMS Press
| year = 1970
}}
* {{cite book
| last = Chadwick
| first = Henry
| title = The Church in Ancient Society: From Galilee to Gregory the Great.
| location = Oxford
| publisher = Oxford University Press
| year = 2003
}}
* {{cite book
| last = Chadwick
| first = Henry
| title = The Early Church.
| location = London
| publisher = Penguin Group
| year = 1993
}}
* {{cite book
| last = Drake
| first = H.A.
| title = Constantine and the Bishops: The Politics of intolerance
| location = Baltimore
| publisher = The Johns Hopkins University Press
| year = 2000
}}
* {{cite book
| last = Ellingsen
| first = Mark
| title = Reclaiming Our Roots: An Inclusive Introduction to Church History, Vol. I, The Late First Century to the Eve of the Reformation
| location = Pennsylvania
| publisher = Trinity Press International
| year = 1999
}}
* {{cite book
| last = Guitton
| first = Jean
| title = Great Heresies and Church councils
| location = New York
| publisher = Harper & Row Publishers
| year = 1963
}}
* {{cite book
| last = Jones
| first = A.H.M.
| title = Constantine and the Conversion of Europe
| location = Toronto
| publisher = University of Toronto Press
| year = 1978
}}
* {{cite book
| last = Lim
| first = Richard
| title = Public Disputation, power, and social order in late antiquity.
| location = Berkeley
| publisher = University of California Press
| year = 1995
}}
* {{cite book
| last = Roldanus
| first = Johannes
| title = The Church in the Age of Constantine: the Theological Challenges.
| location = Oxfordshire
| publisher = Routledge
| year = 2006
}}
* {{cite book
| last = Young
| first = Frances
| title = From Nicaea to Chalcedon.
| location = Philadelphia
| publisher = Fortress Press
| year = 1983
}}

[[Category:Ecumenical Patriarchs]]
[[Category:341 deaths]]

@@ Line 24: / Line 24: @@
 Even outside the empire, Eusebius had great influence. He brought Ulfilas into the Arian priesthood and sent the latter to convert the heathen Goths.
-Eusebius baptised [[Constantine the Great]] in his villa in Nicomedia, on May 22, 337 just before the death of the Emperor.
+Eusebius baptised [[Constantine the Great]] in his villa in Nicomedia, on [[May 22]], [[337]] just before the death of the Emperor.
 ==Death and aftermath==

@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 ==Influence in the Imperial family and the Imperial court==
-Distantly related to the imperial family of [[Constantine the Great]], he not only owed his removal from an insignificant to the most important episcopal see to his influence at court, but the great power he wielded in the Church was derived from that source. In fact, during his time in the Imperial court, the Eastern court and the major positions in the Eastern Church were held by Arians or Arian sympathizers. <ref name=drake-pp395">Drake, "Constantine and the Bishops", pp.395.</ref> With the exception of a short period of eclipse, he enjoyed the complete confidence both of Constantine and [[Constantius II]] and was the tutor of the later Emperor [[Julian the Apostate]]; and it was he who baptized [[Constantine the Great]] in May, [[337]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05623b.htm|title=Eusebius of Nicomedia|work=Catholic Encyclopedia |accessdate=2007-02-18}}</ref> Also during his time in the Imperial court, Arianism became more popular with the Royal family.<ref name="ellingsen-pp121">Ellingsen, "Reclaiming Our Roots: An Inclusive Introduction to Church History, Vol. I, The Late First Century to the Eve of the Reformation", pp.121.</ref>. It can be logically surmised that Eusebius had a huge hand in the acceptance of Arianism in the Constantinian household. The Arian influence grew so strong during his tenure in the Imperial court that it wasn't until the end of the [[Constantinian dynasty]] and the appointment of [[Theodosius I]] that Arianism lost its influence in the Empire. <ref name="young-pp92">Young, "From Nicaea to Chalcedon", pp.92.</ref>.
+Distantly related to the imperial family of [[Constantine the Great]], he not only owed his removal from an insignificant to the most important episcopal see to his influence at court, but the great power he wielded in the Church was derived from that source. In fact, during his time in the Imperial court, the Eastern court and the major positions in the Eastern Church were held by Arians or Arian sympathizers. <ref name=drake-pp395">Drake, "Constantine and the Bishops", pp.395.</ref> With the exception of a short period of eclipse, he enjoyed the complete confidence both of Constantine and [[Constantius II]] and was the tutor of the later Emperor [[Julian the Apostate]]; and it was he who baptized [[Constantine the Great]] in May, [[337]].<ref>[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05623b.htm Eusebius of Nicomedia, Catholic Encyclopedia 2007-02-18]</ref> Also during his time in the Imperial court, Arianism became more popular with the Royal family.<ref name="ellingsen-pp121">Ellingsen, "Reclaiming Our Roots: An Inclusive Introduction to Church History, Vol. I, The Late First Century to the Eve of the Reformation", pp.121.</ref>. It can be logically surmised that Eusebius had a huge hand in the acceptance of Arianism in the Constantinian household. The Arian influence grew so strong during his tenure in the Imperial court that it wasn't until the end of the [[Constantinian dynasty]] and the appointment of [[Theodosius I]] that Arianism lost its influence in the Empire. <ref name="young-pp92">Young, "From Nicaea to Chalcedon", pp.92.</ref>.
 It was of particular interest that Eusebius was nearly persecuted because of his close relationship to the Emperor Licinius while serving as Bishop of Nicomedia during Licinius' reign.

@@ Line 29: / Line 29: @@
 He died at the height of his power in the year 342.<ref name=drake-pp393">Drake, "Constantine and the Bishops", pp.393.</ref>
-He was so influential that even after his death, [[Constantius II]] heeded his and Eudoxus of Constantinople's advice to attempt to convert the [[Roman Empire]] to [[Arianism]] by creating Arian Councils and official Arian Doctrines.<ref name=guitton-pp86">Guitton, "Great Heresies and Church Councils", pp.86.</ref>
+He was so influential that even after his death, [[Constantius II]] heeded his and Eudoxus of Constantinople's advice to attempt to convert the [[Byzantine Empire]] to Arianism by creating Arian Councils and official Arian Doctrines.<ref name=guitton-pp86">Guitton, "Great Heresies and Church Councils", pp.86.</ref>
 It was because of Eusebius that "On the whole, Constantine and his successors made life pretty miserable for Church leaders committed to the Nicene decision and its Trinitarian formula."<ref name="ellingsen-pp119">Ellingsen, "Reclaiming Our Roots: An Inclusive Introduction to Church History, Vol. I, The Late First Century to the Eve of the Reformation", pp.119.</ref>

@@ Line 51: / Line 51: @@
 ==References==
-* {{cite book
+*Amidon, Philip R. (1997). The Church History of Rufinus of Aquileia: Books 10 and 11. New York: Oxford University Press.
- | last = Amidon
+*Bright, William (1970). The Age of the Fathers. New York: AMS Press.
- | first = Philip R.
+*Chadwick, Henry (2003). The Church in Ancient Society: From Galilee to Gregory the Great.. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- | title = The Church History of Rufinus of Aquileia: Books 10 and 11
+*Chadwick, Henry (1993). The Early Church.. London: Penguin Group.
- | location = New York
+*Drake, H.A. (2000). Constantine and the Bishops: The Politics of intolerance. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press.
- | publisher = Oxford University Press
+*Ellingsen, Mark (1999). Reclaiming Our Roots: An Inclusive Introduction to Church History, Vol. I, The Late First Century to the Eve of the Reformation. Pennsylvania: Trinity Press International.
-  | year = 1997
+*Guitton, Jean (1963). Great Heresies and Church councils. New York: Harper & Row Publishers.
-}}
+*Jones, A.H.M. (1978). Constantine and the Conversion of Europe. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.
-* {{cite book
+*Lim, Richard (1995). Public Disputation, power, and social order in late antiquity.. Berkeley: University of California Press.
- | last = Bright
+*Roldanus, Johannes (2006). The Church in the Age of Constantine: the Theological Challenges.. Oxfordshire: Routledge.
- | first = William
+*Young, Frances (1983). From Nicaea to Chalcedon.. Philadelphia: Fortress Press.
- | title = The Age of the Fathers
+*''This article includes content derived from the Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, 1914, which is in the public domain.''
- | location = New York
- | publisher = AMS Press
+{{Credit wikipedia}}
 [[Category:Ecumenical Patriarchs]]
 [[Category:341 deaths]]