CHAPTER VI

BISHOPS OF THE ARIAN HERESY

DOROTHEUS bishop of the Arians, who, as we have said, was translated by that sect from Antioch to Constantinople, having attained the age of one hundred and nineteen years, died on the 6th of November, in the seventh consulate of Honorius, and the second of Theodosius Augustus. He was succeeded by Barba, in whose time the Arian faction was favoured by possessing two very eloquent members, both having the rank of presbyter, one of whom was named Timothy, and the other George. The latter excelled in Grecian literature, and constantly had the writings of Aristotle and Plato in his hands: the former had devoted himself more to the study of the sacred Scriptures, and was a great admirer of Origen; he also evinced in his public expositions of the Old Testament no inconsiderable acquaintance with the Hebrew language. Timothy had however formerly identified himself with the sect of the Psathyrians; but George had been ordained by Barba. I have myself conversed with Timothy, and was exceedingly struck by the readiness with which he would answer the most difficult questions, and clear up the most obscure passages in the Divine oracles; invariably quoting Origen as an unquestionable authority in confirmation of his own sentiments. But it is astonishing to me that these two men should continue to uphold the heresy of the Arians; the one being so conversant with Plato, and the other having Origen so frequently on his lips. For Plato does not say that the second and third cause, as he usually terms them, had a beginning of existence: and Origen everywhere acknowledges the Son to be co-eternal with the Father. Nevertheless although they remained connected with that sect, they purged it from some of its grosser corruptions, and raised it to a more tolerable condition, by abolishing many of the blasphemies of Arius. But enough of these persons. Sisinnius bishop of the Novatians dying under the same consulate, was succeeded by Chrysanthus, of whom we shall have to speak by and by.