CHAPTER III

OF THEODOSIUS AND AGAPETUS BISHOPS OF SYNADA

THEODOSIUS bishop of Synada in Phrygia Pacata, was a violent persecutor of the heretics, of whom there was a great number in that city, and especially of the Macedonian sect, whom he sought if possible to root out of the country. This course he pursued not from any precedent in the orthodox church, nor from the desire of propagating the true faith; but being enslaved by the love of filthy lucre, he was impelled by the avaricious motive of amassing money, by extorting it from the heretics. To this end he made all sorts of attempts upon the Macedonians, putting arms into the hands of his clergy; and employing innumerable stratagems against them, he delivered them up also to the secular tribunals. But his annoyances were especially directed against Agapetus their bishop: and finding the governors of the province were not invested with sufficient authority to punish heretics according to his wish, he set out for Constantinople to petition for edicts of a more stringent nature from the Prætorian præfect. While Theodosius was absent on this business, Agapetus who, as I have said, presided over the Macedonian sect, formed a wise and prudent resolution; and after communicating with his clergy, he called all the people under his guidance together, and persuaded them to embrace the Homoousian faith. On their acquiescing in this proposition, he proceeded immediately to the church attended not merely by his own adherents, but by the whole body of the people. There having offered prayer, he took possession of the episcopal chair in which Theodosius was accustomed to seat himself; and preaching thenceforth the doctrine of consubstantiality, he reunited the people, and made himself master of the churches in that diocese. Soon after these transactions, Theodosius, in total ignorance of what had taken place, returned to Synada, bringing with him extended powers from the præfect. But on his going to the church and being forthwith unanimously expelled, he again betook himself to Constantinople, where he complained to Atticus the bishop of the treatment he had met with, and the manner in which he had been deprived of his bishopric. Atticus perceiving the advantage of this movement to the church, consoled Theodosius as well as he could; recommending him to embrace with a contented mind a retired life, and thus sacrifice his own private interests to the public good. He then wrote to Agapetus authorizing him to retain the episcopate, and bidding him be under no apprehension of being molested by Theodosius.