Wulfila in Philostorgius Ecclesiastical History

Photius I the Great (810-893), Patriarch of Constantinople, cites and comments the history written by Philostorgius. His summary paragraphs, epitome, is all that remains of the original Historia Ecclestica and thus of great value.

The quoted English translation of Photius's text is by Edward Waldorf published in the Tertullian Project (I have added subtitles, paragraphs and italics to make it easier reading).


Notes: 

Philostorgius mentions among Roman emperors
- the joint rule of Valerian the Elder and Gallenius from 253 to 260
- Constantius II Roman emperor from 337 to 361

Eusebius of Nicomedia died in 341.

Istros (or Ister) was a River-God of Skythia and northern Europe (the Danube of modern Romania). The most important neighbouring rivers were the Borysthenes (Dnieper) to the east, and Hebros in Thrake to the West. (theoi.com)

According to Philostorgius the parents of Wulfila were taken captives in their home town of Parnassos... Cappadocia Secunda, suffragan of Mocessus. Situated between Ancyra and Archelais, it was formerly important. Another route led to Nyssa. ... Hamilton places it at Kotch Hissar, near Touz Gheul (ancient Lake Tatta), vilayet of Angora; Ramsay ... north-east of this lake on the left bank of Kizil Irmak (ancient Halys), near Tchikin Aghyl.
(Catholic Enc)



EPITOME OF BOOK II


CHAPTER 5

.--He also says that Urphilas brought over as settlers to the Roman territory a large body of persons who had been driven out of their ancient abodes for the sake of their religion. These came from among the Scythians, north of the Ister, and were formerly called Getae, though now they are better known as Goths.

Jesus Christ reaches the Goths
And he asserts that this race of men were brought over to the faith of Christ in the following manner.

While Valerian and Gallienus were administering the empire, a large multitude of Scythians, who lived north of the Ister, made an incursion into the Roman territory, and laid waste a great part of. Europe by their predatory excursions and afterwards having crossed over into Asia, invaded Cappadocia and Galatia. Here they took a large quantity of prisoners, among whom were not a few ecclesiastics; and they returned to their own country laden with spoils and booty.

These pious captives, by their intercourse with the barbarians, brought over a great number of the latter to the true faith, and persuaded them to embrace the Christian religion in the place of heathen superstitions.


Wulfila's background
Of the number of these captives were the ancestors of Urphilas himself, who were of Cappadocian descent, deriving their origin from a village called Sadagolthina, near time city of Parnassus.

This Urphilas, then, was the header of this pious band which came out from among the Goths, and became eventually their first bishop.


Wulfila ordained Bishop of the Goths by Eusebius of Nicomedia
The following was the method of his appointment.

Being sent by the then king of the Goths on an embassy to the court of the emperor Constantine, (for the barbarous tribes in those parts were subject to the emperor,) he was ordained bishop of the Christians among time Goths, by Eusebius and the other prelates that were with him.

Wulfila translated the Bible except for the Book of Kings
Accordingly he took the greatest care of them in many ways, and amongst others, he reduced their language to a written form, and translated into their vulgar tongue all the books of holy Scripture,
with the exception of the Books of Kings, which he omitted, because they are a mere narrative of military exploits, and the Gothic tribes were especially fond of war, and were in more need of restraints to check their military passions than of spurs to urge them on to deeds of war. But those books have the greatest influence in exciting the minds of readers, inasmuch as they are regarded with great veneration, and are adapted to lead the hearts of believers to the worship of God.

Goths in Moesia
This multitude of converts were located by the emperor in the different parts of Moesia, as he thought best, and he held Urphilas himself in such high honour, that he would often speak of him in conversation as the Moses of his day.

but alas, an Arian!
Philostorgius is loud in his praises of this Urphilas and asserts that both he and the Goths who were under his spiritual rule, were followers of his own heretical opinions.