A Source Book for Ancient Church History - Mirrors

340 A Source Book for Ancient Church Historyas introducers of heathen superstitions. Eustathius, bishop ofAntioch, accuses Eusebius Pamphilius of perverting the Nicenecreed; Eusebius again denies that he violates that exposition ofthe faith, and accuses Eustathius of introducing the opinion ofSabellius. Therefore each of them wrote as if contending againstadversaries; but both sides admitted that the Son of God has adistinct person and existence, confessing that there is one Godin three persons (hypostases) yet they were unable to agree, forwhat cause I do not know, and could in no way be at peace.[310]§ 65. The Victory of the Anti-Nicene Party in the EastWhen Constantine died in 337 the party of Eusebius of Nicomediawas completely in the ascendant in the East. A councilat Antioch, 339, deposed Athanasius, and he was expelled fromAlexandria, and Gregory of Cappadocia was consecrated in hisplace. Athanasius, with Marcellus of Ancyra and other supportersof the Nicene faith, repaired to Rome where they were supportedby Julius, bishop of Rome, at a well-attended local council in 340(a, b). In the East numerous attempts were made to formulatea confession of faith which might take the place of the Nicenecreed and prove acceptable to all parties. The most important ofthese were produced at the Council of Antioch, 341, at which noless than four creeds were formulated (c, d).Additional source material: Percival, The Seven EcumenicalCouncils (PNF, ser. II, vol. XIV); Socrates, Hist. Ec. (PNF,ser. II, vol. II), II, 19 (Formula Macrostichos); Athanasius,De Synodis (PNF, ser. II, vol. IV).(a) Athanasius, Apologia contra Arianos, 20. (MSG, 25:280.)