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 successors of Constantine towards the Church. After Alexander, the previous bishop, died, the Church of Constantinople faced a conflict between two candidates to the Episcopal see, Paul and Macedonius. Emperor Constantius, dissatisfied with both candidates, let the synod offer the see to Eusebius, the bishop of Nicomedia, a follower of Arius. The procedure was not compliant with the canon, as it was a translation, the second one in the case of Eusebius. Paul replaced Alexander in the summer of 337, yet the synod deposed him in the autumn. He was banished to Pont, from where he returned after his successor’s death in 341. The followers of Nicaea reintroduced him to the see, while the Arians again chose Macedonius. Constantinople became a scene of fights and riots. Constantius ordered Hermogenes, his magister equitum, to remove Paul by force and to stop the riots. The attempt of violent action against Paul provoked the people to murder Hermogenes. The Emperor arrived to Constantinople in person, punished the citizens with reduction of their allowance of corn, and banished Paul again, which took place 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 sent an order to Philippus, prefect of the East, to remove Paul from the Church and to introduce Macedonius. Fearing another rebellion, Philippus set a trap, inviting Paul to a public bath and arresting him there. The bishop was placed on board of a ship, prepared earlier, and immediately 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 soon left 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: Paul was 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.