CHAPTER XXIV

THE EUNOMIANS DIVIDE INTO SEVERAL FACTIONS

BUT neither did the Eunomians remain without dissensions: for Eunomius himself had long before this separated from Eudoxius who ordained him bishop of Cyzicum, because that prelate refused to restore to communion his master Aëtius who had been ejected. But those who derived their name from him were subsequently divided into several factions. For first Theophronius a Cappadocian, who had been instructed in the art of disputation by Eunomius, and had acquired a smattering of Aristotle’s “Categories,” and his “Book of Interpretation,” having written some treatises which he entitled “On the Exercise of the Mind,” drew down upon himself the reprobation of his own sect, and was ejected as an apostate. He afterwards held assemblies apart from them, and left behind him a heresy which bore his own name. Then Eutychius at Constantinople, from some absurd dispute, withdrew from the Eunomians, and still continues to hold separate meetings. The followers of Theophronius are denominated Eunomiotheophronians; and those of Eutychius have the appellation of Eunomieutychians. What those nonsensical terms were about which they differed, I consider unworthy of being recorded in this history, lest I should go into matters foreign to my purpose. I shall merely observe that they adulterated baptism: for instead of baptizing in the name of the Trinity, they baptize into the death of Christ. Among the Macedonians also there was for some time a division, when Eutropius a presbyter held separate assemblies, in consequence of a difference of opinion between him and Carterius. There are possibly in other cities sectarians which have emanated from these: but living at Constantinople, where I was born and educated, I propose to describe more particularly what has taken place in that city; both because I have myself witnessed some of these transactions, and also because the events which have there occurred are of preeminent importance, and are therefore more worthy of commemoration. Let it however be understood that what I have here related happened at different periods, and not at the same time. Now if any one should be desirous of knowing the names of the various sects, he may easily satisfy himself, by reading a book entitled “Ancoratus,” composed by Epiphanius bishop of Cyprus: but I shall content myself with what I have already stated. The public affairs were then thrown into agitation from a cause I shall now refer to.