Nicene and Post-Nicene Church Fathers Series 2 - The Still Small ...

for some proof of faith, I determined to have recourse to the written document. 3054 I thought
that I should fulfil two objects at once; I expected both to persuade the Nicopolitans not to
think ill of the man, 3055 and to shut the mouths of my calumniators, because agreement in
faith would exclude slander on both sides. Indeed the creed had been drawn up, and it was
brought from me, and signed. After it had been signed, a place was appointed for a second
meeting, and another date fixed, so that my brethren in the diocese might come together
and be united with one another, and our communion for the future be genuine and sincere.
I, for my part, arrived at the appointed time, and, of the brethren who act with me, some
were on the spot, and others were hurrying thither, all joyous and eager as though on the
high road to peace. 3056 Couriers and a letter from myself announced my arrival; for the
spot appointed for the reception of those who were assembling was mine. But nobody appeared
on the other side; no one came in advance; no one to announce the approach of the
expected bishops. So those who had been sent by me returned with the report of the deep
dejection and the complaints of those who were assembled, as though a new creed had been
promulgated by me. They were moreover said to be for deciding, that they certainly would
not suffer their bishop to go over to me. Then came a messenger bringing me a letter hastily
drawn up, and containing no mention of the points originally agreed on. My brother
Theophilus, 3057 a man worthy of all respect and honour at my hands, sent one of his adherents,
and made certain announcements, which he thought it not improper for him to utter,
nor unbecoming in me to hear. He did not condescend to write, not so much because he
was afraid of being convicted on written evidence, as because he was anxious not to be
compelled to address me as bishop. Assuredly his language was violent, and came from a
heart a vehemently agitated. Under these circumstances I departed abashed and depressed,
not knowing what to answer to my questioners. Then, without any long interval of time,
there was the journey into Cilicia, 3058 the return thence, and forthwith a letter repudiating
communion with me. 3059
3. The cause of the rupture was the allegation that I wrote to Apollinarius and was in
communion with the presbyter Diodorus. I never regarded Apollinarius as an enemy, and
for some reasons I even respect him. But I never so far united myself to him as to take upon
3054 i.e.the formula proposed to Eustathius by Basil, and signed in 373 by him with Fronto, Severus, and
others, and appearing as Letter cxxv.
3055 i.e. Eustathius.
3056 cf. Letter cxxx.
3057 Theophilus of Castabala.
3058 cf. Letter cxxx. The journey of Eustathius to Cilicia was the occasion of his presenting an Arian creed
to a certain Gelasius.
To Patrophilus, bishop of Ægæ.
3059 cf. Letter ccxxvi. The letter of repudiation was conveyed by Eustathius the chorepiscopus.
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