CHAPTER XXVIII

PROCLUS ORDAINED BISHOP OF CYZICUM BY SISINNIUS, BUT REJECTED BY THE PEOPLE

THE bishop of Cyzicum having died, Sisinnius ordained Proclus to the prelacy of that city. But while he was preparing to depart thither, the inhabitants anticipated him, by electing an ascetic named Dalmatius. This they did in contempt of a law which forbad their ordination of a bishop, without the sanction of the bishop of Constantinople: but they pretended that this was a special privilege granted to Atticus alone. Proclus therefore continued destitute of the presidency over his own church, but his sermons acquired for him celebrity in the churches of Constantinople. We shall however speak of him more particularly in an appropriate place. Sisinnius survived his appointment to the bishopric scarcely two entire years, for he was removed by death on the 24th of December, in the consulate of Hierius and Ardaburius. For his temperance, integrity of life, and benignity to the poor, he was deservedly eminent; but his singularly affable and guileless disposition rendered him rather averse to business, so that by men of active habits he was accounted indolent.