The Innovations of Eudoxius, and the Zeal of Basil and Eustathius

Germanicia is a city on the borders of Cilicia, Syria and Cappadocia, and belongs to the province called Euphratensis. Eudoxius, the head of its church, went off to Antioch the moment he heard of the death of Leontius, and seized the see. There he ravaged the vineyard of the Lord like a wild boar. He did not even try to hide his evil ways, as Leontius had done, but raged in open attack on the apostolic decrees, and brought all kinds of trouble on everyone who had the boldness to oppose him. At this time Basil had succeeded Marcellus and held the helm of the church of Ancyra, the capital of Galatia, while Sebaste, the chief city of Armenia, was under the guidance of Eustathius. As soon as these bishops heard of the wickedness and madness of Eudoxius, they wrote to inform the emperor Constantius of his audacity. Constantius was still staying in the West at this time, and after the death of the tyrants he was trying to heal the harm they had done. Both bishops were well known to the emperor, and because of their high character they had great influence with him. [a]