.—Eusebius Bishop of Nicomedia, and Theognis Bishop of Nicæa, who had been banished for agreeing in Opinion with Arius, having published their Recantation, and assented to the Creed, are reinstated in their Sees.
and Theognis having sent a penitential confession to the principal
bishops, were by an imperial edict
recalled from exile and restored to their own churches, displacing
those who had been ordained in their places; Eusebius [displacing]
Amphion, and Theognis Chrestus. This is a copy of their written
retraction:
‘We having been sometime since condemned by your
piety, without a formal trial, ought to bear in silence the decisions
of your sacred adjudication. But since it is unreasonable that we by
silence should countenance caluminators against ourselves, we on this
account declare that we entirely concur with you in the faith; and also
that, after having closely considered the import of the term
consubstantial, we have been wholly studious of peace, having
never followed the heresy. After suggesting whatever entered our
thought for the security of the churches, and fully assuring those
under our influence, we subscribed the declaration of faith; we did not
subscribe the anathematizing; not as objecting to the creed, but as
disbelieving the party accused to be such as was represented, having
been satisfied on this point, both from his own letters to us, and from
personal conversations. But if your holy council was convinced, we not
opposing but concurring in your decisions, by this statement give them
our full assent and confirmation: and this we do not as wearied with
our exile, but to shake off the suspicion of heresy. If therefore ye
should now think fit to restore us to your presence, ye will have us on
all points conformable, and acquiescent in your decrees: especially
since it has seemed good to your piety to deal tenderly with and recall
even him who was primarily accused. It would be absurd for us to be
silent, and thus give presumptive evidence against ourselves, when the
one who seemed responsible has been permitted to clear himself from the
charges brought against him. Vouchsafe then, as is consistent with that
Christ-loving piety of yours, to remind our most religious emperor, to
present our petitions, and to determine speedily concerning us in a way
becoming yourselves.’
Such was the language of the recantation of Eusebius and
Theognis; from which I infer that they had subscribed the articles of
faith which had been set forth, but would not become parties to the
condemnation of Arius. It appears also that Arius was recalled before
them; but, although this may be true, yet he had been forbidden to
enter Alexandria. This is evident from the fact that he afterwards
devised a way of return for himself, both into the church and into
Alexandria, by having made a fictitious repentance, as we shall show in
its proper place.