By Water & Blood

On Paul of Samosata

Paul of Samosata was bishop of the Antiochenes. Zenobia was then local ruler (for the Persians, having defeated the Romans, handed over to her the governance of Syria and Phoenicia); and he ran aground upon Artemon’s heresy, thinking thereby to court her, who held Jewish opinions.

When those who steer the churches learned this, they did not think it safe to overlook so great a disease as it hurried to creep abroad, having as ally the renown of the greatest city. Dionysius, bishop of the Alexandrians, a man distinguished in teaching, put off the journey because of the weakness of old age; but through letters he advised him what was fitting, and spurred the bishops who had gathered into zeal for piety. Those who had gathered were led by the great Gregory, the celebrated, who performed the wonders sung by all through the indwelling grace of the Spirit, and Athenodorus his brother, and Firmilian, bishop of the Caesareans of Cappadocia, a renowned man who had both kinds of knowledge, the outer and the divine; and besides these Helenus, who steered the metropolis of the Cilicians. These, though many had gathered, were the leaders.

First, by instruction and counsel, they tried to turn Paul from the false belief. But when he openly denied that he had held any such thing, and said that he followed the apostolic doctrines, they hymned the Master for the agreement and returned to their own flocks. After time had passed, rumor again ran everywhere and reported to all Paul’s deviation. Not even then did the all-renowned men readily proceed to the man’s excision; but first they tried to heal the disease by letters. When they saw the affliction hard to cure, they again eagerly came to Antioch, and again applied gentle remedies—exhorting and entreating and reminding him of the agreements that had been made. Then, seeing him denying while the accusers pressed on and promised to refute him, they came together into the council.

When a certain Malchion—formerly a sophist, later honored with the ordination of the presbyterate—held a disputation with Paul, he was caught saying that Christ was a man specially deemed worthy of divine grace. Then they justly separated him from the sacred rolls, bringing forth a unanimous vote. But when he resisted and held the leadership of the Church, they instructed Aurelian, then reigning, of Paul’s boldness, and persuaded him to drive him from the Church. For even though enslaved to the worship of idols, Aurelian thought it just that one who contradicted the vote of those of the same faith should be cut off from their company.