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Demophilus of Constantinople | |
|---|---|
| Archbishop of Constantinople | |
| Installed | Early 370 |
| Term ended | 27 November 380 |
| Predecessor | Eudoxius of Antioch |
| Successor | Evagrius of Constantinople |
| Personal details | |
| Born | |
| Died | 386 |
| Denomination | Arian Christianity |
Demophilus of Constantinople (Greek:Δημόφιλος; died 386) was a bishop ofBerea and anArchbishop of Constantinople from Early 370 until he was expelled on 27 November 380.
Born of good family inThessalonica,[1] he was elected by theArians to the bishopric of Constantinople.[2] The opinion of the populace, however, was much divided.[3] The orthodox party choseEvagrius for their bishop, and he was ordained byEustathius of Antioch, the deposedbishop of Antioch. This was the signal for a furious outburst from the Arians. Both Eustathius and Evagrius were banished by theRoman emperorValens, and their followers bitterly persecuted.[4]
Soon after his accession, Demophilus went toCyzicus with Dorotheus, or Theodorus, ofHeraclea to procure the election of an Arian bishop, which was left vacant since the banishment ofEunomius of Cyzicus. Nevertheless, the people of Cyzicus refused to acknowledge them until they had anathematizedAëtius 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.[5]
In 380 Roman emperorTheodosius I made thepatriarchate of Demophilus memorable. Theodosius I offered to confirm him in hissee if he would accept theNicene Creed. Demophilus refused and was immediately ordered to give up his church. He then called his followers together and retired, withLucius of Alexandria and others, to a church outside of the city walls.[6] The churches of Constantinople, which had for forty years been in Arian hands, were now restored to theorthodox; and similarly in other cities.[7]
Philostorgius[8] 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 thesynod in Constantinople in 383.[9] The same writer says that Demophilus was wont to throw everything into confusion, especially the doctrines of theCatholic Church, 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.[10]
This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Onslow, P. (1911). "Demophilus". InWace, Henry; Piercy, William C. (eds.).Dictionary of Christian Biography and Literature to the End of the Sixth Century (3rd ed.). London: John Murray. Onslow used the following sources:| Titles of the Great Christian Church | ||
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| Preceded by | Archbishop of Constantinople 370 – 380 | Succeeded by |
