A.D. 381 heretics, pagans, and the dawn of the monotheistic state ( PDFDrive )

VII
CONSTANTINOPLE, 381: THE IMPOSITION OF
ORTHODOXY
THEODOSIUS entered Constantinople on 24 November 380. The adventus, or
entry, of an emperor to his capital was normally a festive event. The population
would come out to greet him at the gates, singing and dancing as they did so.
There would be panegyrics, welcoming orations full of praise, and a formal
greeting by the city prefect. If the same itinerary was followed as was later for
the emperor Justinian, Theodosius may have stopped first at the Church of the
Holy Apostles, the finest church in the city before the building of the great
basilica of Santa Sophia, to pay homage to the city’s founder. Then he would
have processed down the ceremonial way, the Mese, to the centre of the city,
with rituals of welcome by other officials at each stage on the route, until he
reached the Forum of Constantine and eventually the imperial palace. From here
he would have moved through the palace and out on to the imperial box
overlooking the crowds assembled in the hippodrome. If he was celebrating a
military triumph, the day would continue with chariot races. There is no record
of them. Theodosius may have had some small tactical successes, but no one
could claim that the Goths were fully subdued It is unlikely that his reception by
his subjects was as joyful or enthusiastic as he would have hoped.
It may have been this uncertainty and frustration that lay behind Theodosius’
decision to enforce the Nicene Creed as soon as possible. He immediately
summoned Bishop Demophilus to his palace and requested that he support the
doctrine that God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit were of equal
majesty, a formula that equated with Nicene beliefs. Theodosius must have
hoped he would capitulate, but Demophilus stuck to his principles and refused.
As a result, he and many of his clergy were banned from the city. For years to
come they are recorded as worshipping in the open air outside the walls.
Theodosius was now forced to turn to Gregory, whom he asked to become the
new bishop of the city. Gregory was delighted with the favour of the emperor but
he knew only too well how unpopular the imposition was, and he was full of
apprehension when Theodosius told him he would be formally installed in the