CHAPTER IV

THE MACEDONIANS CONVENE A SYNOD AT LAMPSACUS, DURING A PERIOD OF BOTH SECULAR AND ECCLESIASTICAL AGITATION; AND AFTER CONFIRMING THE ANTIOCHIAN CREED, AND ANATHEMATIZING THAT PROMULGATED AT RIMINI, THEY AGAIN RATIFY THE DEPOSITION OF ACACIUS AND EUDOXIUS

IN this unsettled condition of things, in relation both to the church and state, those who had been empowered by the emperor to hold a council, assembled at Lampsacus in the consulate just mentioned, being seven years after the council of Seleucia. There, after confirming the Antiochian creed, to which they had subscribed at Seleucia, they anathematize that which had been set forth at Rimini by those prelates with whom they had formerly agreed in opinion. They moreover again condemn the party of Acacius and Eudoxius, and declare their deposition to have been just. The civil war which was then impending, prevented Eudoxius bishop of Constantinople from either gainsaying or revenging these determinations. Wherefore Eleusis bishop of Cyzicum and his adherents continued for a little while the stronger party; inasmuch as they supported the views of Macedonius, which although before but obscurely known, acquired great publicity through the Synod at Lampsacus. Hence it was, I suppose, that the Macedonians became so numerous in the Hellespont, Lampsacus being situated in one of its narrow bays. Such was the issue of this council.