CHAPTER XI

ORDINATION OF FLAVIAN AS BISHOP OF ANTIOCH, AND SUBSEQUENT OCCURRENCES

AFTER the pompous interment of the remains of Meletius, Flavian was ordained in his stead, and that too in direct violation of the oath he had taken; for Paulinus was still alive. This gave rise to fresh troubles in the church of Antioch. Many persons refused to hold communion with Flavian, and assembled together apart with Paulinus. Even priests differed among themselves on this subject. The bishops of Egypt, of Arabia, and of Cyprus, were indignant at the injustice that had been manifested towards Paulinus. On the other hand, the bishops of Syria, of Palestine, of Phœnicia, and of the greater part of Armenia, Cappadocia, Galatia, and Pontus, sided with Flavian. The bishop of Rome, and all the Western priests, regarded the conduct of Flavian with the utmost displeasure. They addressed the customary epistles, called synodical, to Paulinus, as bishop of Antioch, and took no notice of Flavian. They also withdrew from communion with Diodorus, bishop of Tarsus, and Acacius, bishop of Berea, because they had ordained Flavian. To take further cognizance of the affair, the Western bishops and the emperor Gratian wrote to the bishops of the East, and summoned them to attend a council in the West.