CHAPTER XIII

EXILE OF SOME BISHOPS OF EXTRAORDINARY VIRTUE

EUDOXIUS then baptised the emperor, and made him swear that he would adhere to these impious doctrines, and that he would banish all those who held contrary opinions. Thus did Valens abandon the apostolical faith, and join the hostile party. A very short time subsequently, he fulfilled his promises and vows; for he expelled Melitius from Antioch, Eusebius from Samosata, and Pelagius from Laodicea. This latter had been betrothed when very young; but, on his marriage day, he persuaded his bride to choose a life of chastity, and to accept fraternal affection instead of connubial love. Thus did he attain to perfect continence. He also successfully cultivated within himself all the other virtues; and on this account he was unanimously elected to the bishopric. But the moral beauty of his life and conversation was not heeded by the opponent of truth, who banished him to Arabia. Melitius was also exiled to Armenia, and Eusebius to Thrace. The latter had laboured in the cause of the gospel with apostolic zeal. On one occasion, hearing that several churches were destitute of pastors, he assumed the garb of a soldier, placed a tiara on his head, and traversed Syria, Phœnicia, and Palestine, ordaining priests and deacons, and filling other vacant ecclesiastical offices; and where he found bishops holding sentiments congenial with his own, he appointed them to the government of the deserted churches.