The Ecclesiastical History of Socrates Scholasticus
Classic translationAncient Greek original
5th c. · Church History · English translation, 1890
Source edition: Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Series II (ed. Schaff & Wace, 1890–1900)
Cover art: View over the Bosphorus, Constantinople — Amadeo Preziosi (Maltese, 1816–1882) (Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
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Contents
- Title Page
- Prefatory Note
- Introduction
- Book 1
- Chapter 1.—Introduction to the Work
- 2. By what Means the Emperor Constantine became a Christian
- 3. While Constantine favors the Christians, Licinius, his Colleague, persecutes…
- 4. War arises between Constantine and Licinius on Account of the Christians
- 5. The Dispute of Arius with Alexander, his Bishop
- 6. Division begins in the Church from this Controversy; and Alexander Bishop of…
- 7. The Emperor Constantine being grieved at the Disturbance of the Churches…
- 8. Of the Synod which was held at Nicæa in Bithynia, and the Creed there put…
- 9. The Letter of the Synod, relative to its Decisions: and the Condemnation of…
- 10. The Emperor also summons to the Synod Acesius, Bishop of the Novatians
- Chapter 11.—Of the Bishop Paphnutius
- 12. Of Spyridon, Bishop of the Cypriots
- Chapter 13.—Of Eutychian the Monk
- 14. Eusebius Bishop of Nicomedia, and Theognis Bishop of Nicæa, who had been…
- 15. After the Synod, on the Death of Alexander, Athanasius is constituted…
- 16. The Emperor Constantine having enlarged the Ancient Byzantium, calls it…
- 17. The Emperor’s Mother Helena having come to Jerusalem, searches for and…
- 18. The Emperor Constantine abolishes Paganism and erects many Churches in…
- 19. In what Manner the Nations in the Interior of India were Christianized in…
- 20. In what Manner the Iberians were converted to Christianity
- Chapter 21.—Of Anthony the Monk
- 22. Manes, the Founder of the Manichæan Heresy, and on his Origin
- 23. Eusebius Bishop of Nicomedia, and Theognis Bishop of Nicæa, having…
- 24. Of the Synod held at Antioch, which deposed Eustathius, Bishop of Antioch…
- 25. Of the Presbyter who exerted himself for the Recall of Arius
- 26. Arius, on being recalled, presents a Recantation to the Emperor, and…
- 27. Arius having returned to Alexandria with the Emperor’s Consent, and not…
- 28. On Account of the Charges against Athanasius, the Emperor convokes a Synod…
- 29. Of Arsenius, and his Hand which was said to have been cut off
- 30. Athanasius is found Innocent of what he was accused; his Accusers take to…
- 31. When the Bishops will not listen to Athanasius’ Defense on the Second…
- 32. On the Departure of Athanasius, those who composed the Synod vote his…
- 33. The Members of the Synod proceed from Tyre to Jerusalem, and having…
- 34. The Emperor summons the Synod to himself by Letter, in order that the…
- 35. The Synod not having come to the Emperor, the Partisans of Eusebius accuse…
- 36. Of Marcellus Bishop of Ancyra, and Asterius the Sophist
- 37. After the Banishment of Athanasius, Arius having been sent for by the…
- Chapter 38.—The Death of Arius
- 39. The Emperor falls sick and dies
- 40. The Funeral of the Emperor Constantine
- Book 2
- 1. Introduction containing the Reason for the Author’s Revision of his First…
- 2. Eusebius, Bishop of Nicomedia, and his Party, by again endeavoring to…
- 3. Athanasius, encouraged by the Letter of Constantine the Younger, returns to…
- 4. On the Death of Eusebius Pamphilus, Acacius succeeds to the Bishopric of…
- 5. The Death of Constantine the Younger
- 6. Alexander, Bishop of Constantinople, when at the Point of Death proposes the…
- 7. The Emperor Constantius ejects Paul after his Election to the Bishopric, and…
- 8. Eusebius having convened Another Synod at Antioch in Syria, causes a New…
- Chapter 9.—Of Eusebius of Emisa
- 10. The Bishops assembled at Antioch, on the Refusal of Eusebius of Emisa to…
- 11. On the Arrival of Gregory at Alexandria, tended by a Military Escort…
- 12. The People of Constantinople restore Paul to his See after the Death of…
- 13. Paul is again ejected from the Church by Constantius, in consequence of the…
- 14. The Arians remove Gregory from the See of Alexandria, and appoint George in…
- 15. Athanasius and Paul going to Rome, and having obtained Letters from Bishop…
- 16. The Emperor Constantius, through an Order to Philip the Prætorian Prefect…
- 17. Athanasius, intimidated by the Emperor’s Threats, returns to Rome again
- 18. The Emperor of the West requests his Brother to send him Three Persons who…
- 19. Of the Creed sent by the Eastern Bishops to those in Italy, called the…
- 20. Of the Council at Sardica
- Chapter 21.—Defense of Eusebius Pamphilus
- 22. The Council of Sardica restores Paul and Athanasius to their Sees; and on…
- 23. Constantius, being Afraid of his Brother’s Threats, recalls Athanasius by…
- 24. Athanasius, passing through Jerusalem on his Return to Alexandria, is…
- 25. Of the Usurpers Magnentius and Vetranio
- 26. After the Death of Constans, the Western Emperor, Paul and Athanasius are…
- 27. Macedonius having possessed himself of the See of Constantinople inflicts…
- 28. Athanasius’ Account of the Deeds of Violence committed at Alexandria by…
- Chapter 29.—Of the Heresiarch Photinus
- 30. Creeds published at Sirmium in Presence of the Emperor Constantius
- 31. Of Hosius, Bishop of Cordova
- 32. Overthrow of the Usurper Magnentius
- 33. Of the Jews inhabiting Dio-Cæsarea in Palestine
- Chapter 34.—Of Gallus Cæsar
- 35. Of Aëtius the Syrian, Teacher of Eunomius
- 36. Of the Synod at Milan
- 37. Of the Synod at Ariminum, and the Creed there published
- 38. Cruelty of Macedonius, and Tumults raised by him
- 39. Of the Synod at Seleucia, in Isauria
- 40. Acacius, Bishop of Cæsarea, dictates a new Form of Creed in the Synod at…
- 41. On the Emperor’s Return from the West, the Acacians assemble at…
- 42. On the Deposition of Macedonius, Eudoxius obtains the Bishopric of…
- 43. Of Eustathius Bishop of Sebastia
- 44. Of Meletius Bishop of Antioch
- Chapter 45.—The Heresy of Macedonius
- 46. Of the Apollinarians, and their Heresy
- 47. Successes of Julian; Death of the Emperor Constantius
- Book 3
- 1. Of Julian; his Lineage and Education; his Elevation to the Throne; his…
- 2. Of the Sedition excited at Alexandria, and how George was slain
- 3. The Emperor Indignant at the Murder of George, rebukes the Alexandrians by…
- 4. On the Death of George, Athanasius returns to Alexandria, and takes…
- Chapter 5.—Of Lucifer and Eusebius
- 6. Lucifer goes to Antioch and consecrates Paulinus
- 7. By the Co-operation of Eusebius and Athanasius a Synod is held at…
- 8. Quotations from Athanasius’ ‘Defense of his Flight.’
- 9. After the Synod of Alexandria, Eusebius proceeding to Antioch finds the…
- 10. Of Hilary Bishop of Poictiers
- 11. The Emperor Julian extracts Money from the Christians
- 12. Of Maris Bishop of Chalcedon; Julian forbids Christians from entering…
- 13. Of the Outrages committed by the Pagans against the Christians
- Chapter 14.—Flight of Athanasius
- 15. Martyrs at Merum in Phrygia, under Julian
- 16. Of the Literary Labors of the Two Apollinares and the Emperor’s Prohibition…
- 17. The Emperor preparing an Expedition against the Persians, arrives at…
- 18. The Emperor consulting an Oracle, the Demon gives no Response, being awed…
- 19. Wrath of the Emperor, and Firmness of Theodore the Confessor
- 20. The Jews instigated by the Emperor attempt to rebuild their Temple, and are…
- 21. The Emperor’s Invasion of Persia, and Death
- Chapter 22.—Jovian is Proclaimed Emperor
- 23. Refutation of what Libanius the Sophist said concerning Julian
- 24. The Bishops flock around Jovian, each attempting to draw him to his own…
- 25. The Macedonians and Acacians meet at Antioch, and proclaim their Assent to…
- 26. Death of the Emperor Jovian
- Book 4
- 1. After Jovian’s Death, Valentinian is proclaimed Emperor, and takes his…
- 2. Valentinian goes into the West; Valens remains at Constantinople, and grants…
- 3. While Valens persecutes the Orthodox Christians in the East, a Usurper…
- 4. The Macedonians hold a Synod at Lampsacus, during a Period of Both Secular…
- 5. Engagement between Valens and Procopius near Nacolia in Phrygia; after which…
- 6. After the Death of Procopius Valens constrains those who composed the Synod…
- 7. Eunomius supersedes Eleusius the Macedonian in the See of Cyzicus, His…
- 8. Of the Oracle found inscribed an a Stone, when the Walls of Chalcedon were…
- 9. Valens persecutes the Novatians, because they accepted the Orthodox Faith
- 10. Birth of Valentinian the Younger
- 11. Hail of Extraordinary Size; and Earthquakes in Bithynia and the Hellespont
- 12. The Macedonians, pressed by the Emperor’s Violence toward them, send a…
- 13. Eunomius separates from Eudoxius; a Disturbance is raised at Alexandria by…
- 14. The Arians ordain Demophilus after the Death of Eudoxius at Constantinople…
- 15. The Emperor banishes Evagrius and Eustathius. The Arians persecute the…
- 16. Certain Presbyters burnt in a Ship by Order of Valens. Famine in Phrygia
- 17. The Emperor Valens, while at Antioch, again persecutes the Adherents of the…
- 18. Events at Edessa: Constancy of the Devout Citizens, and Courage of a Pious…
- 19. Slaughter of Many Persons by Valens an Account of their Names, in…
- 20. Death of Athanasius, and Elevation of Peter to His See
- 21. The Arians are allowed by the Emperor to imprison Peter and to set Lucius…
- 22. Silence of Sabinus on the Misdeeds of the Arians; Flight of Peter to Rome…
- 23. The Deeds of Some Holy Persons who devoted themselves to a Solitary Life
- 24. Assault upon the Monks, and Banishment of their Superiors, who exhibit…
- 25. Of Didymus the Blind Man
- 26. Of Basil of Cæsarea, and Gregory of Nazianzus
- 27. Of Gregory Thaumaturgus (the Wonder-Worker)
- 28. Of Novatus and his Followers. The Novatians of Phrygia alter the Time of…
- 29. Damasus ordained Bishop of Rome. Sedition and Loss of Life caused by the…
- 30. Dissension about a Successor to Auxentius, Bishop of Milan. Ambrose…
- Chapter 31.—Death of Valentinian
- 32. The Emperor Valens, appeased by the Oration of Themistius the Philosopher…
- 33. The Goths, under the Reign of Valens, embrace Christianity
- 34. Admission of the Fugitive Goths into the Roman Territories, which caused…
- 35. Abatement of Persecution against the Christians because of the War with the…
- 36. The Saracens, under Mavia their Queen, embrace Christianity; and Moses, a…
- 37. After the Departure of Valens from Antioch, the Alexandrians expel Lucius…
- 38. The Emperor Valens is ridiculed by the People on Account of the Goths…
- Book 5
- Introduction
- 1. After the Death of Valens the Goths again attack Constantinople, and are…
- 2. The Emperor Gratian recalls the Orthodox Bishops, and expels the Heretics…
- 3. The Principal Bishops who flourished at that Time
- 4. The Macedonians, who had subscribed the ‘Homoousian’ Doctrine, return to…
- 5. Events at Antioch in Connection with Paulinus and Meletius
- 6. Gregory of Nazianzus is transferred to the See of Constantinople. The…
- 7. Gregory, finding Some Dissatisfaction about his Appointment, abdicates the…
- 8. A Synod consisting of One Hundred and Fifty Bishops meets at Constantinople…
- 9. The Body of Paul, Bishop of Constantinople, is honorably transferred from…
- 10. The Emperor orders a Convention composed of All the Various Sects. Arcadius…
- 11. The Emperor Gratian is slain by the Treachery of the Usurper Maximus. From…
- 12. While the Emperor Theodosius is engaged in Military Preparations against…
- 13. The Arians excite a Tumult at Constantinople
- 14. Overthrow and Death of the Usurper Maximus
- 15. Of Flavian Bishop of Antioch
- 16. Demolition of the Idolatrous Temples at Alexandria, and the Consequent…
- 17. Of the Hieroglyphics found in the Temple of Serapis
- 18. Reformation of Abuses at Rome by the Emperor Theodosius
- 19. Of the Office of Penitentiary Presbyters and its Abolition
- 20. Divisions among the Arians and Other Heretics
- 21. Peculiar Schism among the Novatians
- 22. The Author’s Views respecting the Celebration of Easter, Baptism, Fasting…
- 23. Further Dissensions among the Arians at Constantinople. The Psathyrians
- 24. The Eunomians divide into Several Factions
- 25. The Usurper Eugenius compasses the Death of Valentinian the Younger…
- 26. Illness and Death of Theodosius the Elder
- Book 6
- Introduction
- 1. On the Death of Theodosius his Two Sons divide the Empire. Rufinus is slain…
- 2. Death of Nectarius and Ordination of John
- 3. Birth and Education of John Bishop of Constantinople
- 4. Of Serapion the Deacon on whose Account John becomes Odious to his Clergy
- 5. John draws down upon Himself the Displeasure of Many Persons of Rank and…
- 6. Gaïnas the Goth attempts to usurp the Sovereign Power; after filling…
- 7. Dissension between Theophilus Bishop of Alexandria and the Monks of the…
- 8. The Arians and the Supporters of the ‘Homoousion’ hold Nocturnal Assemblies…
- 9. Dispute between Theophilus and Peter leading to an Attempt on the Part of…
- 10. Epiphanius Bishop of Cyprus convenes a Synod to condemn the Books of Origen
- 11. Of Severian and Antiochus: their Disagreement from John
- 12. Epiphanius, in order to gratify Theophilus, performs Ordinations at…
- 13. The Author’s Defence of Origen
- 14. Epiphanius is asked to meet John; on refusing he is admonished concerning…
- 15. John is expelled from his Church by a Synod held at Chalcedon on account of…
- 16. Sedition on Account of John Chrysostom’s Banishment. He is recalled
- 17. Conflict between the Constantinopolitans and Alexandrians on Account of…
- 18. Of Eudoxia’s Silver Statue. On account of it John is exiled a Second Time
- 19. Ordination of Arsacius as John’s Successor. Indisposition of Cyrinus Bishop…
- 20. Death of Arsacius, and Ordination of Atticus
- Chapter 21.—John Dies in Exile
- 22. Of Sisinnius Bishop of the Novatians. His Readiness at Repartee
- 23. Death of the Emperor Arcadius
- Book 7
- 1. Anthemius the Prætorian Prefect administers the Government of the East in…
- Character and Conduct of Atticus Bishop of Constantinople
- 3. Of Theodosius and Agapetus Bishops of Synada
- 4. A Paralytic Jew healed by Atticus in Baptism
- 5. The Presbyter Sabbatius, formerly a Jew, separates from the Novatians
- 6. The Leaders of Arianism at this Time
- 7. Cyril succeeds Theophilus Bishop of Alexandria
- 8. Propagation of Christianity among the Persians by Maruthas Bishop of…
- 9. The Bishops of Antioch and Rome
- 10. Rome taken and sacked by Alaric
- Chapter 11.—The Bishops of Rome
- 12. Of Chrysanthus Bishop of the Novatians at Constantinople
- 13. Conflict between the Christians and Jews at Alexandria: and breach between…
- 14. The Monks of Nitria come down and raise a Sedition against the Prefect of…
- 15. Of Hypatia the Female Philosopher
- 16. The Jews commit Another Outrage upon the Christians and are punished
- 17. Miracle performed by Paul Bishop of the Novatians at the Baptism of a…
- 18. Renewal of Hostilities between the Romans and Persians after the Death of…
- Chapter 19.—Of Palladius the Courier
- 20. A Second Overthrow of the Persians by the Romans
- 21. Kind Treatment of the Persian Captives by Acacius Bishop of Amida
- 22. Virtues of the Emperor Theodosius the Younger
- 23. After the Death of the Emperor Honorius John usurps the Sovereignty at…
- 24. Valentinian a Son of Constantius and Placidia, Aunt of Theodosius, is…
- Christian Benevolence of Atticus Bishop of Constantinople. He Registers John's…
- 26. Sisinnius is chosen to succeed Atticus
- 27. Voluminous Productions of Philip, a Presbyter of Side
- 28. Proclus ordained Bishop of Cyzicus by Sisinnius, but rejected by the People
- 29. Nestorius of Antioch promoted to the See of Constantinople. His Persecution…
- 30. The Burgundians embrace Christianity under Theodosius the Younger
- Chapter 31.—Nestorius Harasses the Macedonians
- 32. Of the Presbyter Anastasius, by whom the Faith of Nestorius was perverted
- 33. Desecration of the Altar of the Great Church by Runaway Slaves
- 34. Synod at Ephesus against Nestorius. His Deposition
- 35. Maximian elected to the Episcopate of Constantinople, though Some wished…
- 36. The Author’s Opinion of the Validity of Translations from One See to Another
- 37. Miracle performed by Silvanus Bishop of Troas formerly of Philippopolis
- 38. Many of the Jews in Crete embrace the Christian Faith
- 39. Preservation of the Church of the Novatians from Fire
- 40. Proclus succeeds Maximian Bishop of Constantinople
- Chapter 41.—Excellent Qualities of Proclus
- 42. Panegyric of the Emperor Theodosius Younger
- 43. Calamities of the Barbarians who had been the Usurper John’s Allies
- 44. Marriage of the Emperor Valentinian with Eudoxia the Daughter of Theodosius
- 45. The Body of John Chrysostom transferred to Constantinople, and placed in…
- 46. Death of Paul Bishop of the Novatians, and Election of Marcian as his…
- 47. The Empress Eudocia goes to Jerusalem; sent there by the Emperor Theodosius
- 48. Thalassius is ordained Bishop of Cæsarea in Cappadocia