CHAPTER IX

VALENS PERSECUTES THE NOVATIANS, BECAUSE OF THEIR HOLDING THE ORTHODOX FAITH

THE emperor now resumed his persecution of those who embraced the doctrine of consubstantiality, driving them away from Constantinople: and as the Novatians acknowledged the same faith, they also were subjected to similar treatment, their churches being ordered to be shut up. He commanded also that Agelius their bishop should be sent into exile; a person that had presided over their churches from the time of Constantine, and had led an apostolic life: for he always walked barefoot, and used but one coat, observing the injunction of the gospel. But the emperor’s displeasure against this sect was moderated by the efforts of a pious and eloquent man named Marcian, who had formerly been in military service at the imperial palace, but was at that time a presbyter in the Novatian church, and taught Anastasia and Carosa, Valens’s daughters, grammar; from the former of whom the public baths yet standing, which Valens erected at Constantinople, were named. From respect for this person therefore, the Novatian churches which had been for some time closed, were again opened. The Arians however would not suffer this people to remain undisturbed, for they disliked them on account of the sympathy and love the Novatians manifested toward the Homoousians, with whom they agreed in sentiment. Such was the state of affairs at that time. We may here remark that the war against the tyrant Procopius was terminated about the end of May, in the consulate of Gratian and Dagalaïfus.