The Ecclesiastical History of Sozomen
Classic translation
5th c. · Church History · English translation, 1890
Source edition: Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Series II (ed. Schaff & Wace, 1890–1900)
Cover art: Chapel of St Helena, Church of the Holy Sepulchre — Vasily Polenov (Russian, 1844–1927) (Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
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Contents
- Title Page
- Introduction
- Prefatory Remarks, by Valesius
- Memoir of Sozomen
- Address to the Emperor Theodosius by Salaminius Hermias Sozomen, and Proposal…
- Book 1
- 1. The Preface of the Book, in which he investigates the History of the Jewish…
- 2. Of the Bishops of the Large Towns in the Reign of Constantine; and how, from…
- 3. By the Vision of the Cross, and by the Appearance of Christ, Constantine is…
- 4. Constantine commands the Sign of the Cross to be carried before him in…
- 5. Refutation of the Assertion that Constantine became a Christian in…
- 6. The Father of Constantine allows the Name of Christ to be Extended…
- 7. Concerning the Dispute between Constantine and Licinius his Brother-In-Law…
- 8. List of the Benefits which Constantine conferred in the Freedom of the…
- 9. Constantine enacts a Law in favor of Celibates and of the Clergy
- 10. Concerning the Great Confessors who survived
- 11. Account of St. Spyridon: His Modesty and Steadfastness
- 12. On the Organization of the Monks: its Origin and Founders
- 13. About Antony the Great and St. Paul the Simple
- 14. Account of St. Ammon and Eutychius of Olympus
- 15. The Arian Heresy, its Origin, its Progress, and the Contention which it…
- 16. Constantine, having heard of the Strife of the Bishops, and the Difference…
- 17. Of the Council convened at Nicæa on Account of Arius
- 18. Two Philosophers are converted to the Faith by the Simplicity of Two Old…
- 19. When the Council was assembled, the Emperor delivered a Public Address
- 20. After having given Audience to both Parties, the Emperor condemned the…
- 21. What the Council determined about Arius; the Condemnation of his Followers…
- 22. Acesius, Bishop of the Novatians, is summoned by the Emperor to be present…
- 23. Canons appointed by the Council; Paphnutius, a certain Confessor, restrains…
- 24. Concerning Melitius; the Excellent Directions made by the Holy Council in…
- 25. The Emperor prepared a Public Table for the Synod, after inviting its…
- Book 2
- 1. The Discovery of the Life-Bringing Cross and of the Holy Nails
- 2. Concerning Helena, the Mother of the Emperor; she visited Jerusalem, built…
- 3. Temples Built by Constantine the Great; the City called by his Name; its…
- 4. What Constantine the Great effected about the Oak in Mamre; he also built a…
- 5. Constantine destroyed the Places dedicated to the Idols, and persuaded the…
- 6. The Reason why under Constantine, the Name of Christ was spread throughout…
- 7. How the Iberians received the Faith of Christ
- 8. How the Armenians and Persians embraced Christianity
- 9. Sapor King of Persia is excited against the Christians. Symeon, Bishop of…
- Christians Slain by Sapor in Persia
- 11. Pusices, Superintendent of the Artisans of Sapor
- 12. Tarbula, the Sister of Symeon, and her Martyrdom
- 13. Martyrdom of St. Acepsimas and of his Companions
- 14. The Martyrdom of Bishop Milles and his Conduct. Sixteen Thousand…
- 15. Constantine writes to Sapor to stay the Persecution of the Christians
- 16. Eusebius and Theognis who at the Council of Nice had assented to the…
- 17. On the Death of Alexander, Bishop of Alexandria, at his Suggestion…
- 18. The Arians and Melitians confer Celebrity on Athanasius; concerning…
- 19. Synod of Antioch; Unjust Deposition of Eustathius; Euphronius receives the…
- 20. Concerning Maximus, who succeeded Macarius in the See of Jerusalem
- 21. The Melitians and the Arians agree in Sentiment; Eusebius and Theognis…
- 22. The Vain Machinations of the Arians and Melitians against St. Athanasius
- 23. Calumny respecting St. Athanasius and the Hand of Arsenius
- 24. Some Indian Nations received Christianity at that Time through the…
- 25. Council of Tyre; Illegal Deposition of St. Athanasius
- 26. Erection of a Temple by Constantine the Great at Golgotha, in Jerusalem…
- 27. Concerning the Presbyter by whom Constantine was persuaded to recall Arius…
- 28. Letter from the Emperor Constantine to the Synod of Tyre, and Exile of St…
- 29. Alexander, Bishop of Constantinople; his Refusal to receive Arius into…
- 30. Account given by the Great Athanasius of the Death of Arius
- 31. Events which occurred in Alexandria after the Death of Arius. Letter of…
- 32. Constantine enacts a Law against all Heresies, and prohibits the People…
- 33. Marcellus Bishop of Ancyra; his Heresy and Deposition
- 34. Death of Constantine the Great; he died after Baptism and was buried in the…
- Book 3
- 1. After the Death of Constantine the Great, the Adherents of Eusebius and…
- 2. Return of Athanasius the Great from Rome; Letter of Constantine Cæsar, Son…
- 3. Paul, Bishop of Constantinople, and Macedonius, the Pneumatomachian
- 4. A Sedition was excited on the Ordination of Paul
- 5. The Partial Council of Antioch; it deposed Athanasius; it substituted…
- 6. Eusebius surnamed Emesenus; Gregory accepted Alexandria; Athanasius seeks…
- 7. High Priests of Rome and of Constantinople; Restoration of Paul after…
- 8. Arrival of the Eastern High Priests at Rome; Letter of Julius, Bishop of…
- 9. Ejection of Paul and Athanasius; Macedonius is invested with the Government…
- 10. The Bishop of Rome writes to the Bishops of the East in Favor of…
- 11. The Long Formulary and the Enactments issued by the Synod of Sardica…
- 12. The Bishops of the Party of Julius and Hosius held another Session and…
- 13. After the Synod, the East and the West are separated; the West nobly…
- 14. Of the Holy Men who flourished about this time in Egypt, namely, Antony…
- 15. Didymus the Blind, and Aëtius the Heretic
- Chapter 16.—Concerning St. Ephraim
- 17. Transactions of that Period, and Progress of Christian Doctrine through the…
- 18. Concerning the Doctrines held by the Sons of Constantine. Distinction…
- 19. Further Particulars concerning the Term “Consubstantial.” Council of…
- 20. Athanasius again reinstated by the Letter of Constantius, and receives his…
- 21. Letter of Constantius to the Egyptians in behalf of Athanasius. Synod of…
- 22. Epistle written by the Synod of Jerusalem in Favor of Athanasius
- 23. Valens and Ursacius, who belonged to the Arian Faction, confess to the…
- 24. Letter of Conciliation from Valens and Ursacius to the Great Athanasius…
- Book 4
- 1. Death of Constans Cæsar. Occurrences which took place in Rome
- 2. Constantius again ejects Athanasius, and banishes those who represented the…
- 3. Martyrdom of the Holy Notaries
- 4. Campaign of Constantius in Sirmium, and Details concerning Vetranio and…
- 5. Cyril directs the Sacerdotal Office after Maximus, and the Largest Form of…
- 6. Photinus, Bishop of Sirmium. His Heresy, and the Council convened at Sirmium…
- 7. Death of the Tyrants Magnentius and Silvanus the Apostate. Sedition of the…
- 8. Arrival of Constantius at Rome. A Council held in Italy. Account of what…
- 9. Council of Milan. Flight of Athanasius
- 10. Divers Machinations of the Arians against Athanasius, and his Escape from…
- 11. Liberius, Bishop of Rome, and the cause of his being exiled by Constantius…
- 12. Aëtius, the Syrian, and Eudoxius, the Successor of Leontius in Antioch…
- 13. Innovations of Eudoxius censured in a Letter written by George, Bishop of…
- 14. Letter of the Emperor Constantius against Eudoxius and his Partisans
- 15. The Emperor Constantius repairs to Sirmium, recalls Liberius, and restores…
- 16. The Emperor purposed, on account of the Heresy of Aëtius and the…
- 17. Proceedings of the Council of Ariminum
- 18. Letter from the Council at Ariminum to the Emperor Constantius
- 19. Concerning the Deputies of the Council and the Emperor’s Letter; Agreement…
- 20. Events which took place in the Eastern Churches: Marathonius, Eleusius of…
- 21. Proceedings of Macedonius in Mantinium. His Removal from his See when he…
- Chapter 22.—Council of Seleucia
- 23. Acacius and Aëtius; and how the Deputies of the Two Councils of Ariminum…
- 24. Formulary of the Council of Ariminum approved by the Acacians. List of the…
- 25. Causes of the Deposition of Cyril, Bishop of Jerusalem. Mutual Dissensions…
- 26. Death of Macedonius, Bishop of Constantinople. What Eudoxius said in his…
- 27. Macedonius, after his Rejection from his See, blasphemes against the Holy…
- 28. The Arians, under the Impression that the divine Meletius upheld their…
- 29. The Partisans of Acacius again do not remain Quiet, but strive to abolish…
- 30. George, Bishop of Antioch, and the Chief-Priests of Jerusalem. Three…
- Book 5
- 1. Apostasy of Julian, the Traitor. Death of the Emperor Constantius
- 2. The Life, Education, and Training of Julian, and his Accession to the Empire
- 3. Julian, on his Settlement in the Empire, began quietly to stir up Opposition…
- 4. Julian inflicted Evils upon the Inhabitants of Cæsarea. Bold Fidelity of…
- 5. Julian restores Liberty to the Christians, in order to execute Further…
- 6. Athanasius, after having been Seven Years concealed in the House of a Wise…
- 7. Violent Death and Triumph of George, Bishop of Alexandria. The Result of…
- 8. Concerning Theodore, the Keeper of the Sacred Vessels of Antioch. How…
- 9. Martyrdom of the Saints Eusebius, Nestabus, and Zeno in the City of Gaza
- 10. Concerning St. Hilarion and the Virgins in Heliopolis who were destroyed by…
- 11. Concerning Macedonius, Theodulus, Gratian, Busiris, Basil, and Eupsychius…
- 12. Concerning Lucifer and Eusebius, Bishops of the West. Eusebius with…
- 13. Concerning Paulinus and Meletius, Chief-Priests of Antioch; how Eusebius…
- 14. The Partisans of Macedonius disputed with the Arians concerning Acacius
- 15. Athanasius is again Banished; concerning Eleusius, Bishop of Cyzicus, and…
- 16. Efforts of Julian to establish Paganism and to abolish our Usages. The…
- 17. In Order that he might not be thought Tyrannical, Julian proceeds artfully…
- 18. He prohibited the Christians from the Markets and from the Judicial Seats…
- 19. Work written by Julian entitled “Aversion to Beards.” Daphne in Antioch, a…
- 20. In Consequence of the Translation, Many of the Christians are Ill-Treated…
- 21. Of the Statue of Christ in Paneas which Julian overthrew and made…
- 22. From Aversion to the Christians, Julian granted Permission to the Jews to…
- Book 6
- 1. Expedition of Julian into Persia; he was worsted and broke off his Life…
- 2. He perished under Divine Wrath. Visions of the Emperor’s Death seen by…
- 3. The Reign of Jovian; he introduced Many Laws which he carried out in his…
- 4. Troubles again arise in the Churches; Synod of Antioch, in which the Nicene…
- 5. Athanasius the Great is Very Highly Esteemed by the Emperor, and rules over…
- 6. Death of Jovian; The Life of Valentinian, and his Confidence in God; how he…
- 7. Troubles again arise in the Churches, and the Synod of Lampsacus is held…
- 8. Revolt and Extraordinary Death of Procopius. Eleusius, Bishop of Cyzicus…
- 9. Sufferings of those who maintained the Nicene Faith. Agelius, the Ruler of…
- 10. Concerning Valentinian the Younger and Gratian. Persecution under Valens…
- 11. The Confession of Eustathius, Silvanus, and Theophilus, the Deputies of the…
- 12. Councils of Sicily and of Tyana. The Synod which was expected to be held in…
- 13. Demophilus, an Arian, became Bishop of Constantinople after Eudoxius. The…
- 14. Account of the Eighty Pious Delegates in Nicomedia, whom Valens burned with…
- 15. Disputes between Eusebius, Bishop of Cæsarea, and Basil the Great. Hence…
- 16. Basil becomes Bishop of Cæsarea after Eusebius; his Boldness towards the…
- 17. Friendship of Basil and of Gregory, the Theologian; being Peers in Wisdom…
- 18. The Persecution which occurred at Antioch, on the Orontes. The Place of…
- 19. Death of the Great Athanasius; the Elevation of Lucius, who was…
- 20. Persecution of the Egyptian Monks, and of the Disciples of St. Antony. They…
- 21. List of the Places in which the Nicene Doctrines were Represented; Faith…
- 22. At that Time, the Doctrine of the Holy Ghost was agitated, and it was…
- 23. Death of Liberius, Bishop of Rome. He is succeeded by Damasus and Syricius…
- 24. Concerning St. Ambrose and his Elevation to the High Priesthood; how he…
- 25. Concerning Apolinarius: Father and Son of that Name. Vitalianus, the…
- 26. Eunomius and his Teacher Aëtius, their Affairs and Doctrines. They were the…
- 27. Account Given, by Gregory the Theologian, of Apolinarius and Eunomius, in a…
- 28. Of the Holy Men who flourished at this Period in Egypt. John, or Amon…
- 29. Concerning the Monks of Thebaïs: Apollos, Dorotheus; concerning Piammon…
- 30. Monks of Scetis: Origen, Didymus, Cronion, Orsisius, Putubatus, Arsion…
- 31. Concerning the Monks of Nitria, and the Monasteries called Cells; about the…
- 32. Monks of Palestine: Hesycas, Epiphanius, who was afterwards in Cyprus…
- 33. Monks of Syria and Persia: Battheus, Eusebius, Barges, Halas, Abbo…
- 34. Monks of Edessa: Julianus, Ephraim Syrus, Barus, and Eulogius; Further, the…
- 35. The Wooden Tripod and the Succession of the Emperor, through a Knowledge of…
- 36. Expedition against the Sarmatians; Death of Valentinian in Rome…
- 37. Concerning the Barbarians beyond the Danube, who were driven out by the…
- 38. Concerning Mania, the Phylarch of the Saracens. When the Treaty with the…
- 39. Peter, having returned from Rome, regains the Churches of Egypt, after…
- 40. Saint Isaac, the Monk, predicts the Death of Valens. Valens in his Flight…
- Book 7
- 1. When the Romans are pressed by the Barbarians, Mavia sends Assistance, and…
- 2. Gratian elects Theodosius of Spain to reign with him, Arianism prevails…
- 3. Concerning St. Meletius and Paulinus, Bishop of Antioch. Their Oath…
- 4. Reign of Theodosius the Great; he was initiated into Divine Baptism by…
- 5. Gregory, the Theologian, receives from Theodosius the Government of the…
- 6. Concerning the Arians; and Further, the Success of Eunomius. Boldness of St…
- 7. Concerning the Second Holy General Council, and the Place and Cause of its…
- 8. Election of Nectarius to the See of Constantinople; his Birthplace and…
- 9. Decrees of the Second General Council. Maximus, the Cynical Philosopher
- 10. Concerning Martyrius of Cilicia. Translation of the Remains of St. Paul the…
- 11. Ordination of Flavian as Bishop of Antioch, and Subsequent Occurrences on…
- 12. Project of Theodosius to unify all the Heresies. The Propositions made by…
- 13. Maximus the Tyrant. Concerning the Occurrences between the Empress Justina…
- 14. Birth of Honorius. Theodosius leaves Arcadius at Constantinople, and…
- 15. Flavian and Evagrius, Bishops of Antioch. The Events at Alexandria upon the…
- 16. In What Manner, and from What Cause, the Functions of the Presbyter…
- 17. Banishment of Eunomius by Theodosius the Great. Theophronius, his…
- 18. Another Heresy, that of the Sabbatians, is originated by the Novatians…
- 19. A List Worthy of Study, Given by the Historian, of Customs among Different…
- 20. Extension of our Doctrines, and Complete Demolition of Idolatrous Temples…
- 21. Discovery of the Honored Head of the Forerunner of our Lord, and the Events…
- 22. Death of Valentinian the Younger, Emperor in Rome, through Strangling. The…
- 23. Exaction of Tribute in Antioch, and Demolition of the Statues of the…
- 24. Victory of Theodosius the Emperor over Eugenius
- 25. Intrepid Bearing of St. Ambrose in the Presence of the Emperor Theodosius…
- 26. St. Donatus, Bishop of Eurœa, and Theotimus, High-Priest of Scythia
- 27. St. Epiphanius, Bishop of Cyprus, and a Particular Account of his Acts
- 28. Acacius, Bishop of Berœa, Zeno, and Ajax, Men Distinguished and Renowned…
- 29. Discovery of the Remains of the Prophets Habakkuk and Micah. Death of the…
- Book 8
- 1. Successors of Theodosius the Great. Rufinus, the Prætorian Prefect, is…
- 2. Education, Training, Conduct, and Wisdom of the Great John Chrysostom; his…
- 3. Rapid Promotion of John to the Bishopric, and more Vehement Grappling with…
- 4. Enterprise of Gaïnas, the Gothic Barbarian. Evils which he perpetrated
- 5. John swayed the People by his Teachings. Concerning the Woman, a Follower of…
- 6. Proceedings of John in Asia and Phrygia. Heraclides, Bishop of Ephesus, and…
- 7. Concerning Eutropius, Chief of the Eunuchs, and the Law enacted by him. On…
- 8. Antiphonal Hymns against the Arians introduced by John. The Interests of the…
- 9. Serapion, the Archdeacon, and St. Olympias. Some of the Celebrated Men…
- 10. Severian, Bishop of Gabales, and Antiochus, Bishop of Ptolemaïs. Dispute…
- 11. Question agitated in Egypt, as to whether God has a Corporeal Form…
- 12. About the Four Brothers, called “The Long,” who were Ascetics, and of whom…
- 13. These Four repair to John on account of his Interest; for this Reason…
- 14. Perversity of Theophilus. St. Epiphanius: his Residence at Constantinople…
- 15. The Son of the Empress and St. Epiphanius. Conference between the “Long…
- 16. The Dispute between the Empress and John. Arrival of Theophilus from Egypt…
- 17. Council held by Theophilus and the Accusers of John in Rufinianæ. John is…
- 18. Sedition of the People against Theophilus; and they traduced their Rulers…
- 19. Obstinancy of Theophilus. Enmity between the Egyptians and the Citizens of…
- 20. The Statue of the Empress; what happened there; the Teaching of John…
- 21. Calamities suffered by the People after the Expulsion of John. The Plots…
- 22. Unlawful Expulsion of John from his Bishopric. The Trouble which followed…
- 23. Arsacius elected to succeed John. The Evils wrought against the Followers…
- 24. Eutropius the Reader, and the Blessed Olympian, and the Presbyter Tigrius…
- 25. Since these Ills existed in the Church, Secular Affairs also fell into…
- 26. Two Epistles from Innocent, the Pope of Rome, of which one was addressed to…
- 27. The Terrible Events which resulted from the Treatment of John. Death of the…
- 28. Effort of Innocent, Bishop of Rome, to recall John through a Council…
- Book 9
- 1. Death of Arcadius, and Government of Theodosius the Younger. His Sisters…
- 2. Discovery of the Relics of Forty Holy Martyrs
- 3. The Virtues of Pulcheria; Her Sisters
- 4. Truce with Persia. Honorius and Stilicho. Transactions in Rome and Dalmatia
- 5. The Different Nations took up Arms against the Romans, of whom some were…
- 6. Alaric the Goth. He assaulted Rome, and straitened it by War
- 7. Innocent the Bishop of the Presbytery of Rome. He sent an Embassy to Alaric…
- 8. Rebellion of Attalus and his General Heraclean; and how he eventually craved…
- 9. The Disturbance which the Greeks and Christians had about Attalus. The…
- 10. A Roman Lady who manifested a Deed of Modesty
- 11. The Tyrants who in the West at that Time rebelled against Honorius. They…
- 12. Theodosiolus and Lagodius. The Races of the Vandals and Suevi. Death of…
- 13. Concerning Gerontius, Maximus, and the Troops of Honorius. Capture of…
- 14. Constantine. The Army of Honorius and Edovicus his General. Defeat of…
- 15. Constantine throws aside the Emblems of Imperial Power, and is ordained as…
- 16. Honorius the Ruler, a Lover of God. Death of Honorius. His Successors…
- 17. Discovery of the Relics of Zechariah the Prophet, and of Stephen the…