Constantine, ecumenist

In 325, Constantine wrote a letter announcing the deposition of Eusebius of Nicomedia. As Timothy Barnes points out, it exemplifies the “pattern of respect tempered with frustration” that characterized Constantine’s relations with the bishops.

One passage is reminiscent of Paul’s rebuke of the Galatians: “it was truly worthy of wonder to bring into concord so many nations who were recently said not to know God. Yet what were these nations with no part in the conflict likely to perceive? What, beloved brothers, do you think is my complaint against you? We are Christians, and we quarrel in a pitiful state of mind. Is this our faith, this the teaching of our law? What is the cause by which the disaster of the present evil has been aroused? What perversity! What hatred, which far exceeds the measure of righteous indignation!”