Editing Orosius (section)

=== Journeys to Palestine ===
The visit to Palestine had a double purpose: Orosius wanted to discuss a number of theological topics with Jerome, particularly those relating to the soul's origins, and Augustine wanted closer ties with the thinker and to gather information regarding the [[Priscillian]]ists, [[Origen]]ists and the [[Pelagianism|Pelagian heresy]].<ref name="cavero39">Martínez Cavero, Pedro,  "El pensamiento…", p. 39.</ref>

In reality, it would seem{{citation needed|date=August 2021}} that Orosius's main task was to assist Jerome and others against [[Pelagius (British monk)|Pelagius]], who, after the [[synod]] of [[Carthage]] in 411, had been living in Palestine, and finding some acceptance there.{{sfn|Chisholm|1911}} Orosius met with Pelagius on Augustine's behalf and he represented the orthodox party against the Pelagians at the [[Synod of Jerusalem (415)|Synod of Jerusalem]]<ref>Merrills, A. H., ''History and Geography in Late Antiquity'', Cambridge Studies in Medieval Life and Thought fourth Series, Cambridge University Press, Melbourne, 2005, p.39</ref> that was held in June 415.

At the synod Orosius communicated the decisions of the synod of Carthage and read several of Augustine's writings against Pelagius.  Success, however, was not achieved among Greeks who did not understand [[Latin]], and whose sense of reverence was unfazed by Pelagius's famous question, ''Et quis est mihi Augustinus?'' ("Who is Augustine to me?").{{sfn|Chisholm|1911}}

Orosius succeeded only in obtaining John's consent to send letters and deputies to [[Pope Innocent I]] of [[Rome]]; and, after having waited long enough to learn the unfavourable decision of the [[Synod of Diospolis]] (Lydda) in December of the same year, he returned to North Africa,{{sfn|Chisholm|1911}}

Orosius had a confrontation with the [[Archbishop]] of Jerusalem, [[John II, Bishop of Jerusalem|John II]] at the synod, in which Orosius was accused of heresy in front of the entire conclave.  As his defence Orosius wrote his second book ''Liber Apologeticus'', in which he emphatically rejected the accusation.<ref name="cavero42">Martínez Cavero, Pedro,  "El pensamiento…", p. 42.</ref>

Orosius's first act on meeting Jerome was to hand him the correspondence that he had brought from Augustine.  This implies that the journey was always conceived of as a return journey as Orosius would have to deliver the letters from Jerome back to Augustine. In parallel to this, the relics of Saint Stephen were uncovered at the end of 415 and part of the find was given to Orosius in order that he could take it back to Braga.<ref name="cavero43">Martínez Cavero, Pedro,  "El pensamiento…", p. 43.</ref> This marks both the start of his return journey and, from our current perspective, a new epoch in Orosius's life that is lacking in sources of information for its study.