Paweł z Konstantynopola - kariera biskupa.

Abstract

The career of bishop Paul of Constantinople dates back to the period of Arian  controversy,so difficult for the Church, and was associated with the politics conducted by the successorsof Constantine towards the Church. After Alexander, the previous bishop, died, the Churchof Constantinople faced a conflict between two candidates to the Episcopal see, Paul andMacedonius. Emperor Constantius, dissatisfied with both candidates, let the synod offer thesee to Eusebius, the bishop of Nicomedia, a follower of Arius. The procedure was not compliantwith the canon, as it was a translation, the second one in the case of Eusebius. Paul replacedAlexander in the summer of 337, yet the synod deposed him in the autumn. He was banishedto Pont, from where he returned after his successor’s death in 341. The followers of Nicaeareintroduced him to the see, while the Arians again chose Macedonius. Constantinople becamea scene of fights and riots. Constantius ordered Hermogenes, his magister equitum,to removePaul by force and to stop the riots. The attempt of violent action against Paul provoked thepeople to murder Hermogenes. The Emperor arrived to Constantinople in person, punishedthe citizens with reduction of their allowance of corn, and banished Paul again, which  tookplace in 342. Paul returned after the synod of Serdica, at which the bishops (of the West) restored him to his see. On receiving the news, Emperor Constantius became enraged and sentan order to Philippus, prefect of the East, to remove Paul from the Church and to introduceMacedonius. Fearing another rebellion, Philippus set a trap, inviting Paul to a public bathand arresting him there. The bishop was placed on board of a ship, prepared earlier, andimmediately sent away. Thus Bishop Paul was deposed and banished from Constantinople for the third time; it took place before July 344. He was sent to Thessalonica, which he soonleft for Italy. In the spring of 345 he appeared at the court of Constans and presented his situation. Owing to Constans’ intervention at the throne of the ruler of the East, Constantius,he regained the Episcopal see in 346. This forced state of approval lasted until 350, when the Emperor again ordered Paul’s deposition and banishment. Sent to Cucusus in Armenia, Paul died, probably secretly murdered. This was done with the Emperor being aware of it: Paulwas a difficult case, persistently fighting for his see against the Emperor’s dislike and the opposition of the clergy. Constantius saw him not only as a theological opponent, but also as a source of dangerous disorder.