Editing Eusebius of Nicomedia

{{Short description|Arian bishop (died 341)}}
{{Distinguish|Eusebius of Caesarea}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox patriarch
| name         = Eusebius of Nicomedia
| patriarch_of = [[List of ecumenical patriarchs of Constantinople|Archbishop of Constantinople]]
| image        = 
| caption      = 
| ordination   = 
| consecration = 
| enthroned    = 339
| ended        = 341
| province     = 
| diocese      = 
| see          = 
| church       = 
| predecessor  = [[Paul I of Constantinople]]
| successor    = [[Macedonius I of Constantinople]]
| birth_name   = 
| birth_date   = 
| birth_place  = 
| death_date   = 341
| death_place  = 
| buried       = 
| nationality  = 
| religion     = [[Arianism]]
}}

'''Eusebius of Nicomedia''' ({{IPAc-en|j|uː|ˈ|s|iː|b|i|ə|s}}; {{langx|grc|Εὐσέβιος}}; died 341) was an [[Arianism|Arian priest]] who baptised [[Constantine the Great]] on his deathbed in 337.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Eusebius of Caesarea |title=Life of Constantine |date=1890 |page=556 |publisher=New York, The Christian literature Company |url=https://archive.org/details/aselectlibraryn11wacegoog/page/n570/mode/2up |access-date=24 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Jerome |title=Chronicon |date=380 |url=http://www.tertullian.org/fathers/jerome_chronicle_03_part2.htm |access-date=24 March 2021 |quote=Constantine, baptised by Eusebius of Nicomedia at the very end of his life, falls into the dogma of Arius, and from that time until now seizures of churches and discord of the whole world have followed.}}</ref> A fifth-century [[Acts of Sylvester|legend]] evolved that [[Pope Sylvester I]] was the one to baptise Constantine, but this is dismissed by scholars as a forgery "to amend the historical memory of the Arian baptism that the emperor received at the end of his life, and instead to attribute an unequivocally orthodox baptism to him".<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Canella |first1=Tessa |title=Sylvester I |journal=Brill Encyclopedia of Early Christianity |date=January 2018 |location=Academia.edu |page=2 |url=https://www.academia.edu/43555504 |access-date=24 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Loomis |first1=Louise Ropes |title=The book of the popes (Liber pontificalis) |date=1916 |publisher=[[Columbia University Press]] |page=42 |url=https://archive.org/details/bookofpopesliber00loom/page/42/mode/2up}}</ref> He was a [[Apostolic Vicariate of Beirut|bishop of Berytus]] (modern-day [[Beirut]]) in [[Phoenicia]]. He was later made the [[Metropolis of Nicomedia|bishop of Nicomedia]], where the Imperial court resided. He lived finally in [[Constantinople]] from 338 up to his death.

== Influence in the Imperial family and the Imperial court ==
Distantly related to the imperial family of Constantine the Great, he owed his progression from a less significant [[Levant]]ine bishopric to the most important [[episcopal see]] to his influence at court and the great power he wielded in the church was derived from that source. In fact, during his time in the imperial court, the Eastern court and the major positions in the Eastern Church were held by [[Arians]] or Arian sympathizers.<ref name="drake-pp395">Drake, "Constantine and the Bishops", p. 395.</ref> With the exception of a short period of eclipse, he enjoyed the confidence both of Constantine and [[Constantius II]]. He also served as the tutor of the later [[Roman emperor]] [[Julian (emperor)|Julian]], and it was he who might have baptised Constantine the Great on 22 May 337 owing to his familial relationship with the emperor.<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05623b.htm |title=Catholic Encyclopedia - Eusebius of Nicomedia |access-date=18 February 2007}}</ref> Also during his time in the imperial court, Arianism became more popular with the royal family.<ref name="ellingsen-pp121">Ellingsen, "Reclaiming Our Roots - An Inclusive Introduction to Church History, Vol. I, The Late First Century to the Eve of the Reformation", p. 121.</ref> It can be logically surmised that Eusebius had a huge hand in the acceptance of Arianism in the Constantinian household. The Arian influence grew so strong during his tenure in the imperial court that it was not until the end of the [[Constantinian dynasty]] and the appointment of [[Theodosius I]] that Arianism lost its influence in the empire.<ref name="young-pp92">Young, "From Nicaea to Chalcedon", p. 92.</ref>

It was of particular interest that Eusebius was nearly persecuted because of his close relationship to the Emperor [[Licinius]] while serving as bishop of Nicomedia during Licinius' reign.

== Relationship with Arius ==
Like [[Arius]], he was a pupil of [[Lucian of Antioch]], and it is probable that he held the same views as Arius from the very beginning; he was also one of Arius' most fervent supporters and encourager.<ref name="jones-pp121">Jones, "Constantine and the Conversion of Europe", p. 121.</ref> It was also because of this relationship that he was the first person whom Arius contacted after the latter was excommunicated from Alexandria by [[Pope Alexander I of Alexandria|Alexander I of Alexandria]] in 321.<ref name="young-pp59">Young, "From Nicaea to Chalcedon", p. 59.</ref> Apparently, Arius and Eusebius were close enough and Eusebius powerful enough that Arius was able to put his theology down in writing.<ref name="young-pp61">Young, "From Nicaea to Chalcedon", p. 61.</ref> He afterward modified his ideas somewhat, or perhaps he only yielded to the pressure of circumstances; but he was, if not the teacher, at all events the leader and organizer of the [[Arianism|Arian]] council.

At the [[First Council of Nicaea]] in 325, he signed the Confession, but only after a long and desperate opposition in which he was said to "subscribe with hand only, not heart"<ref name="amidon-10.5">Amidon, "The Church History of Rufinus of Aquileia: Books 10 and 11", 10.5.</ref> according to ancient sources. It was a huge blow to the Arian party since it was surmised that the participants in the [[First Council of Nicaea]] were evenly split between non-Arians and Arians.<ref name="lim-pp183">Lim, "Public Disputation, power, and social order in late antiquity", p. 183.</ref> His defense of Arius angered the emperor, and a few months after the council he was sent into exile due to his continual contacts with Arius and his followers.<ref name="drake-pp259">Drake, "Constantine and the Bishops", p. 259.</ref> After the lapse of three years, he succeeded in regaining the imperial favor by convincing Constantine that Arius and his views do not conflict with the proclaimed [[Nicene Creed]].<ref name="roldanus-pp82">Roldanus, "The Church in the Age of Constantine - the Theological Challenges", p. 82.</ref> After his return in 329, he brought the whole machinery of the state government into action in order to impose his views upon the [[Christianity|Church]].

== Political and religious career ==
In complement to his theological interests, Eusebius was a skilled politician. Upon his return, he regained the lost ground resulting from the [[First Council of Nicaea]], established alliances with other groups such as the [[Melitians]] and expelled many opponents.

He was described by modern historians as an "ambitious intriguer"<ref name="roldanus-pp78">Roldanus, "The Church in the Age of Constantine - The Theological Challenges", p. 78.</ref> and a "consummate political player".<ref name="drake-pp395"/> He was also described by ancient sources as a high-handed person who was also aggressive in his dealings;<ref name="amidon-10.12">Amidon, "The Church History of Rufinus of Aquileia - Books 10 and 11", 10.12.</ref> he also used his allies to spy on his opponents.

He was able to dislodge and exile three key opponents who espoused the [[First Council of Nicaea]]: [[Eustathius of Antioch]] in 330, [[Athanasius of Alexandria]] in 335 and [[Marcellus of Ancyra]] in 336. This was no small feat since Athanasius was regarded as a "man of God" by Constantine,<ref name="roldanus-pp84">Roldanus, "The Church in the Age of Constantine - the Theological Challenges", p. 84.</ref> and both Eustathius and Athanasius held top positions in the church.

Another major feat was his appointment as the Patriarch of Constantinople by expelling [[Paul I of Constantinople]]; Paul I would eventually return as Patriarch after Eusebius's death.

Even outside the empire, Eusebius had great influence. He brought [[Ulfilas]] into the Arian priesthood and sent the latter to [[Gothic Christianity|convert the heathen Goths]].

Eusebius baptised [[Constantine the Great]] in his villa in Nicomedia, on 22 May 337 just before the death of the Emperor.

== Death and aftermath ==
He died at the height of his power in the year 341.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05623b.htm |title=Catholic Encyclopedia - Eusebius of Nicomedia |website=newadvent.org}}</ref>

He was so influential that even after his death, [[Constantius II]] heeded his and Eudoxus of Constantinople's advice to attempt to convert the [[Roman Empire]] to [[Arianism]] by creating Arian Councils and official Arian Doctrines.<ref name="guitton-pp86">Guitton, "Great Heresies and Church Councils", p. 86.</ref>

It was because of Eusebius that "On the whole, Constantine and his successors made life pretty miserable for Church leaders committed to the Nicene decision and its [[Trinitarian formula]]".<ref name="ellingsen-pp119">Ellingsen, "Reclaiming Our Roots: An Inclusive Introduction to Church History, Vol. I, The Late First Century to the Eve of the Reformation", p. 119.</ref>

Eusebius of Nicomedia is not to be confused with his contemporary [[Eusebius]] of Caesarea, the author of well-known early books of [[Church history]].

== Notes and references ==
{{Reflist}}

== See also ==
* [[Synod of Gangra]]

== Bibliography ==
* {{Cite book |last=Amidon |first=Philip R. |title=The Church History of Rufinus of Aquileia: Books 10 and 11 |location=New York |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |date=1997}}
* {{Cite book |last=Bright |first=William |title=The Age of the Fathers |location=New York |publisher=[[Augustan Reprint Society|AMS Press]] |date=1970}}
* {{Cite journal |last=Canella |first=Tessa |title=Sylvester I |url=https://www.academia.edu/43555504 |journal=[[Brill Publishers|Brill Encyclopedia of Early Christianity]] |date=2018}}
* {{Cite book |last=Chadwick |first=Henry |title=The Church in Ancient Society: From Galilee to Gregory the Great |location=Oxford |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |date=2003}}
* {{Cite book |last=Chadwick |first=Henry |title=The Early Church |location=London |publisher=[[Penguin Group]] |date=1993}}
* {{Cite book |last=Drake |first=H.A. |title=Constantine and the Bishops: The Politics of intolerance |location=Baltimore |publisher=[[Johns Hopkins University Press]] |date=2000}}
* {{Cite book |last=Ellingsen |first=Mark |title=Reclaiming Our Roots: An Inclusive Introduction to Church History, Vol. I, The Late First Century to the Eve of the Reformation |location=Pennsylvania |publisher=[[T&T Clark|Trinity Press International]] |date=1999}}
* {{Cite book |last=Guitton |first=Jean |title=Great Heresies and Church councils |location=New York |publisher=[[Harper (publisher)|Harper & Row Publishers]] |date=1963}}
* {{Cite book |last=Jones |first=A.H.M. |title=Constantine and the Conversion of Europe |url=https://archive.org/details/constantineconve00jone_0 |url-access=registration |location=Toronto |publisher=[[University of Toronto Press]] |date=1978 |isbn=9780802063694}}
* {{Cite book |last=Lim |first=Richard |title=Public Disputation, power, and social order in late antiquity |location=Berkeley |publisher=[[University of California Press]] |date=1995}}
* {{Cite book |last=Loomis |first=Louise Ropes |title=The book of the popes (Liber pontificalis) |location=Internet Archive |publisher=[[Columbia University Press]] |date=1916}}
* {{Cite book |last=Roldanus |first=Johannes |title=The Church in the Age of Constantine: the Theological Challenges |url=https://archive.org/details/churchinthea_rold_2006_000_8661182 |url-access=registration |location=Oxfordshire |publisher=[[Routledge]] |date=2006}}
* {{Cite book |last=Young |first=Frances |title=From Nicaea to Chalcedon |location=Philadelphia |publisher=[[1517 Media|Fortress Press]] |date=1983}}

== External links ==
Correspondence of Eusebius of Nicomedia:
* [http://www.fourthcentury.com/index.php/urkunde-1/ Arius to Eusebius]
* [http://www.fourthcentury.com/index.php/urkunde-2/ Eusebius to Arius]
* [http://www.fourthcentury.com/index.php/urkunde-8/ Eusebius to Paulinus of Tyre]
* [http://www.fourthcentury.com/index.php/urkunde-21 Eusebius to the Council of Nicaea]
* [http://www.fourthcentury.com/index.php/urkunde-27 Constantine on Eusebius' deposition]
* [http://www.fourthcentury.com/index.php/urkunde-31 Eusebius' confession of faith]

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{{Succession box
| before = [[Paul I of Constantinople|Paul I]]
| title  = [[List of ecumenical patriarchs of Constantinople|Archbishop of Constantinople]]
| years  = 339 – 341
| after  = [[Macedonius I of Constantinople|Macedonius I]]
}}
{{s-end}}
{{Patriarchs of Constantinople}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Eusebius Of Nicomedia}}
[[Category:4th-century Romans]]
[[Category:Arian bishops]]
[[Category:341 deaths]]
[[Category:Constantine the Great and Christianity]]
[[Category:Year of birth unknown]]
[[Category:Bishops of Nicomedia]]
[[Category:4th-century Archbishops of Constantinople]]
[[Category:People excommunicated by Christian churches]]
[[Category:Nature of Jesus Christ]]
[[Category:Participants in the First Council of Nicaea]]