CHAPTER XXIX

OF THE HERESIARCH PHOTINUS

IN the interim Photinus, who then presided over the church in that city, having more openly avowed his sentiments, and a tumult being made in consequence, the emperor ordered a Synod of bishops to be assembled at Sirmium. There were accordingly convened there of the Oriental Prelates, Mark of Arethusa, George of Alexandria, whom the Arians, as we have before said, had placed over that see on the removal of Gregory, Basil who presided over the church at Ancyra, Marcellus having been ejected, Pancratius of Pelusium, and Hypatian of Heraclea. Of the Western bishops there were present Valens of Mursa, and the celebrated Hosius of Cordova in Spain, who attended much against his will. These met at Sirmium, after the consulate of Sergius and Nigrinian, in which year no consul celebrated the customary inaugural solemnities, in consequence of the martial preparations; and it being ascertained that Photinus held the heresy of Sabellius the Libyan, and Paul of Samosata, they immediately deposed him. This decision was both at that time and afterwards universally commended as honourable and just; but those who continued there, subsequently acted in a way which was by no means so generally approved.