Paul of Samosata

After Xystus had led the church of the Romans for eleven years, he was succeeded by Dionysius, the namesake of the Dionysius at Alexandria. About this time Demetrianus also departed this life at Antioch, and Paul of Samosata took over the office of bishop there. [a] Since Paul, against the teaching of the Church, held low and groveling views about Christ, that he had been in his nature an ordinary man, Dionysius of Alexandria was urged to come to the synod. Pleading his old age and the weakness of his body, he put off coming, and set out by letter the view he held on the question. But the rest of the shepherds of the churches came together from every quarter, as against a destroyer of Christ’s flock, all hurrying to Antioch. [c]