Demophilus of Constantinople (; died 386) was a bishop of Berea and an Archbishop of Constantinople from Early 370 until he was expelled on 27 November 380.

Biography

Born of good family in Thessalonica, he was elected by the Arians to the bishopric of Constantinople. The opinion of the populace, however, was much divided. The orthodox party chose Evagrius for their bishop, and he was ordained by Eustathius of Antioch, the deposed bishop of Antioch. This was the signal for a furious outburst from the Arians. Both Eustathius and Evagrius were banished by the Roman emperor

Valens Valens (; ; 328 – 9 August 378) was Roman emperor from 364 to 378. Following a largely unremarkable military career, he was named co-emperor by his elder brother Valentinian I, who gave him the Byzantine Empire, eastern half of the Roman Em ...

, and their followers bitterly persecuted. Soon after his accession, Demophilus went to

Cyzicus Cyzicus ( ; ; ) was an ancient Greek town in Mysia in Anatolia in the current Balıkesir Province of Turkey. It was located on the shoreward side of the present Kapıdağ Peninsula (the classical Arctonnesus), a tombolo which is said to have or ...

with Dorotheus, or Theodorus, of Heraclea to procure the election of an Arian bishop, which was left vacant since the banishment of Eunomius of Cyzicus. Nevertheless, the people of Cyzicus refused to acknowledge them until they had anathematized Aëtius of Antioch, Eunomius of Cyzicus, and their followers. They were then permitted to ordain a bishop chosen by the people. The bishop who was ordained straightway and clearly taught the consubstantial faith. In 380 Roman emperor

Theodosius I Theodosius I ( ; 11 January 347 – 17 January 395), also known as Theodosius the Great, was Roman emperor from 379 to 395. He won two civil wars and was instrumental in establishing the Nicene Creed as the orthodox doctrine for Nicene C ...

made the

patriarchate Patriarchate (, ; , ''patriarcheîon'') is an ecclesiological term in Christianity, referring to the office and jurisdiction of a patriarch. According to Christian tradition, three patriarchates—Rome, Antioch, and Alexandria—were establi ...

of Demophilus memorable. Theodosius I offered to confirm him in his see if he would accept the Nicene Creed. Demophilus refused and was immediately ordered to give up his church. He then called his followers together and retired, with Lucius of Alexandria and others, to a church outside of the city walls. The churches of Constantinople, which had for forty years been in Arian hands, were now restored to the orthodox; and similarly in other cities. It was in fact a re-establishment of

Catholicism The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the List of Christian denominations by number of members, largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics Catholic Church by country, worldwid ...

. Philostorgius adds that Demophilus went to his own city, Berea; however this must have been some time afterwards, or he must have returned from exile, for he represented the Arian party at the

synod A synod () is a council of a Christian denomination, usually convened to decide an issue of doctrine, administration or application. The word '' synod'' comes from the Ancient Greek () ; the term is analogous with the Latin word . Originally, ...

in Constantinople in 383. The same writer says that Demophilus was wont to throw everything into confusion, especially the doctrines of the

Catholic Church The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the List of Christian denominations by number of members, largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics Catholic Church by country, worldwid ...

, and quotes from a sermon at Constantinople, in which he spoke of the human nature of the Saviour as lost in the divine, as a glass of milk when poured into the sea. cites Philostorgius, Patrol. Gk., lxv; Soz., and Socr. Patrol. Gk. lxvii.

Notes and references

Attribution

* Onslow used the following sources: ** Philostorgius. ''H. E.'', ix, 10, 13, 14, 19; ** Philostorgius ''Patrol. Gk.'', lxv; ** Socrates Scholasticus ''H. E.'', iv, 14, v, 7, 10; ** Sozomenus ''H. E.'' vi, 13, 14; vii, 12; ** Soz. and Socr. ''Patrol. Gk.'' lxvii. {{Authority control 386 deaths Arian bishops 4th-century Archbishops of Constantinople Roman-era Thessalonians Christianity in Roman Macedonia 4th-century Romans Year of birth unknown Arian Archbishops of Constantinople