Arsacius of Tarsus
Arsacius of Tarsus | |
---|---|
Christian Church | |
Installed | 404 |
Term ended | 405 |
Predecessor | John Chrysostom |
Successor | Atticus of Constantinople |
Arsacius (
Biography
He was the brother of
After he had passed his 80th year, the success of the intrigue of
He was consecrated archbishop on June 27, 404. Chrysostom, on hearing of it, denounced him "as a spiritual adulterer, and a wolf in sheep's clothing".[4] The diocese soon made it plain that they regarded the new archbishop as an intruder. With the exception of a few officials, the dependants of the court party, and the expectants of royal favour, the people of Constantinople refused to attend any religious assembly at which he might be expected to be present. Deserting the sacred edifices, they gathered in the outskirts of the city, and in the open air.[5]
Arsacius appealed to the emperor
Arsacius' position became intolerable. In vain all the bishops and clergy who, embracing Chrysostom's cause, had refused to recognize him were driven out of the East on November 18, 404. This only spread the evil more widely. The whole Western episcopate refused to acknowledge him, and Pope Innocent I, who had warmly espoused Chrysostom's interests, wrote to the clergy and laity of Constantinople strongly condemning the intrusion of Arsacius, and exhorting them to persevere in their adhesion to their true archbishop.[7] It is no cause for surprise that Arsacius's episcopate was a brief one, and that a feeble character worn out by old age should have soon given way before a storm of opposition so universal.[3]
He died November 11, 405.[3]
References
- ^ Venables 1911 cites (Photius C. 59)
- ^ Venables 1911 cites Palladius c. xi.
- ^ a b c d Venables 1911.
- ^ Venables 1911 cites Ep. cxxv.
- ^ "Arsacius", Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople
- ^ Venables 1911 cites Sozomenus H. E. viii. 23
- ^ Venables 1911 Sozomenus, H. E. vi. 22, 26.
- Attribution
- This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Venables, E. (1911). "Arsacius". In Wace, Henry; Piercy, William C. (eds.). Dictionary of Christian Biography and Literature to the End of the Sixth Century (3rd ed.). London: John Murray.
- Chrysostom Ep. cxxv.
- Palladius Dial. c.xi.;
- Phot. C. 59;
- Socrates ScholasticusH.E. vi. 19;
- SozomenusH. E. viii.23, 26;