Ostrogoth jewellery at Metropolitan Museum of Art
Sailko wikimedia
Christ reached the Goths at the borders of Roman empire while they were living in paganism that is not very well known to us from historical sources. The pious captives, especially Roman and Anatolian women, brought Him in their hearts and words and example of life to the new husbands and lords. Apparently Goths treated these civilized captives, wives and slaves, with dignity and wanted to learn from them.
At the time of the early conversion of the Goths the Kingdom of Christ was in the midst of very serious process of defining in a binding way the fundamental statements of faith - what is faith in God after what happened in Jesus Christ? Who is this Christ and what is His relation to His Father that He talks so much about?
There were no easy solutions and there is an amazing spectre of theological opinions, all based in the Scriptures in one way or other, emphasizing this or that. Groups of believers were stamped with theological names usually according to their leading theologian and the fight between the groups was not limited to writing pamphlets and learned books stretching the versatile Greek language to the limit.
The first Ecumenical Councils at Nicea 325 and Constantinople 381 were dealing with the most essential theological questions. There Christianity formulated the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. Major concern in these discussions was the rational teaching of Arius and his disciples who insisted that Son is not equal to Father. This seemingly innocent battle that in reality is of the deepest significance to Christian faith reached the highest political levels in the courts of the Roman emperors.
Christianity was now quickly becoming the state religion instead of Greco-Roman paganism forcefully demanded from all citizens. It was now imperative that the new religion would be internally united and thus function as the glue that keeps the enormous Empire internally together. Heretics were now the threat to unity but what was Orthodoxy?
The Credo of Nice-Constantinople had a crucial role in defining orthodox Christianity and the major camps during the 4th century were the Niceans and the Arians who rejected the Creed of Nicea.
Eusebius of Nicomedia
We do not know the birthday of Bishop Eusebius of Nicomedia. He died in Constantinople Anno Domini 341.
This is the man who baptised Constantine the Great resting at his death bead and so brought the emperor to the Kingdom of Christ on May 22, 337.
Eusebius of Nicomedia was also the bishop who ordained Wulfila as the bishop and apostle of the Goths and thus was the key persion in directing these people towards Arian Christianity.
Monk Rufinus of Aquileia (340/345 – 410) has recorded important sources also about Eusebius of Nicomedia. Wikipedia article uses hi through Philip R. Amidon, The Church History of Rufinus of Aquileia: Books 10 and 11. New York: Oxford University Press (1997) when describing the crucial events 325 and the years immediately after the Council.
After being the Bishop of Berytus (Beirut) and then of Nicomedia Eusebius finally came to Constantinople in 338 staying there near the hubs of political and ecclesiastical power until his death in 341.
Distantly related to the imperial family of Constantine, he owed his progression from a less significant Levantine bishopric to the most important episcopal see to his influence at court, and the great power he wielded in the Church was derived from that source. In fact, during his time in the Imperial court, the Eastern court and the major positions in the Eastern Church were held by Arians or Arian sympathizers.
With the exception of a short period of eclipse, he enjoyed the complete confidence both of Constantine and Constantius II and was the tutor of the later Emperor Julian the Apostate; and it was he who baptized Constantine the Great on May 22, 337. Also during his time in the Imperial court, Arianism became more popular with the Royal family.
It can be logically surmised that Eusebius had a huge hand in the acceptance of Arianism in the Constantinian household. The Arian influence grew so strong during his tenure in the Imperial court that it wasn't until the end of the Constantinian dynasty and the appointment of Theodosius I that Arianism lost its influence in the Empire.
Like Arius, he was a pupil of Lucian of Antioch, and it is probable that he held the same views as Arius from the very beginning; he was also one of Arius' most fervent supporters who encouraged Arius. It was also because of this relationship that he was the first person whom Arius contacted after the latter was excommunicated from Alexandria by Alexander. Apparently, Arius and Eusebius were close enough and Eusebius powerful enough that Arius was able to put his theology down in writing. He afterward modified his ideas somewhat, or perhaps he only yielded to the pressure of circumstances; but he was, if not the teacher, at all events the leader and organizer, of the Arian party.
(wikipedia)
With the exception of a short period of eclipse, he enjoyed the complete confidence both of Constantine and Constantius II and was the tutor of the later Emperor Julian the Apostate; and it was he who baptized Constantine the Great on May 22, 337. Also during his time in the Imperial court, Arianism became more popular with the Royal family.
It can be logically surmised that Eusebius had a huge hand in the acceptance of Arianism in the Constantinian household. The Arian influence grew so strong during his tenure in the Imperial court that it wasn't until the end of the Constantinian dynasty and the appointment of Theodosius I that Arianism lost its influence in the Empire.
Like Arius, he was a pupil of Lucian of Antioch, and it is probable that he held the same views as Arius from the very beginning; he was also one of Arius' most fervent supporters who encouraged Arius. It was also because of this relationship that he was the first person whom Arius contacted after the latter was excommunicated from Alexandria by Alexander. Apparently, Arius and Eusebius were close enough and Eusebius powerful enough that Arius was able to put his theology down in writing. He afterward modified his ideas somewhat, or perhaps he only yielded to the pressure of circumstances; but he was, if not the teacher, at all events the leader and organizer, of the Arian party.
(wikipedia)
However, despite of his strong leaning towards the teachings of deacon Arius Eusebius signed the Nicene Creed. This act, the signing of such a significant confession against his inner beliefs tells us much about the character of the man.
At the First Council of Nicaea, 325, he signed the Confession, but only after a long and desperate opposition in which he "subscribe with hand only, not heart" according to ancient sources. It was a huge blow to the Arian party since it was surmised that the participants in the First Council of Nicaea were evenly split between non-Arians and Arians. His defense of Arius angered the emperor, and a few months after the council he was sent into exile due to his continual contacts with Arius and the exiles.
After the lapse of three years, he succeeded in regaining the imperial favor by convincing Constantine that Arius and his views do not conflict with the Nicene Creed. After his return in 329 he brought the whole machinery of the state government into action in order to impose his views upon the Church.
(wikipedia)
After the lapse of three years, he succeeded in regaining the imperial favor by convincing Constantine that Arius and his views do not conflict with the Nicene Creed. After his return in 329 he brought the whole machinery of the state government into action in order to impose his views upon the Church.
(wikipedia)
Character of Eusebius
Such was the man who was so crucial to the Christian faith of the Goths - their Arianism - through his choice of the bishop and his powerful support to him.
Eusebius was more of a politician than anything else, and a skilled one. Upon his return, he regained the lost ground resulted from the First Council of Nicaea, established alliances with other groups such as the Meletians and expelled many opponents.
He was described by modern historians as an "ambitious intriguer" and a "consummate political player". He was also described by ancient sources as a high-handed person who was also aggressive in his dealings; he also used his allies to spy on his opponents.
(wikipedia)
He was described by modern historians as an "ambitious intriguer" and a "consummate political player". He was also described by ancient sources as a high-handed person who was also aggressive in his dealings; he also used his allies to spy on his opponents.
(wikipedia)
The Kingdom of God
Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
Matthew 13:24-30 KJV
Evaluation of Eusebius of Nicomedia
The writer(s) of the wikipedia describe the impact of Eusebius of Nicomedia in rather solemn colors:
He died at the height of his power in the year 342.
He was so influential that even after his death, Constantius II heeded his and Eudoxus of Constantinople's advice to attempt to convert the Roman Empire to Arianism by creating Arian Councils and official Arian Doctrines.
It was because of Eusebius that "On the whole, Constantine and his successors made life pretty miserable for Church leaders committed to the Nicene decision and its Trinitarian formula." (wikipedia)
He was so influential that even after his death, Constantius II heeded his and Eudoxus of Constantinople's advice to attempt to convert the Roman Empire to Arianism by creating Arian Councils and official Arian Doctrines.
It was because of Eusebius that "On the whole, Constantine and his successors made life pretty miserable for Church leaders committed to the Nicene decision and its Trinitarian formula." (wikipedia)
As for the Goths...
Mausoleum of Theodoric the Ostrogoth 520 AD (Ravenna)
Its roof is a single 300–ton Istrian stone, 10 meters in diameter.
Its roof is a single 300–ton Istrian stone, 10 meters in diameter.
because of Wulfila they became Christians and got their own language in writing. The Goths formed powerful states, Visigoths in Hispania and Ostrogoths in northern Italy (Ravenna).
Arian teaching survived among these people for about two hundred years:
Visigoths of Spain accepted Nicene Creed in the Third Council of Toledo in 589.
Ostrogoths were conquered by the famous general Belisarius (500-565) during the time of Justinian the Great and their kingdom was destroyed. Their last king was called Theia and he ruled only for a year 552-553. The remaining people moved to Austria and their nation - and church - was dissolved.
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