The Presbyters Project

III.7

Τῶν γοῦν ἐκκλησιῶν, αἳ τὴν Εὐρώπην ἃπασαν Λιβύην τε καὶ τὴν Ἀσίαν ἐπλήρουν [...] τῆς δέ γε βασιλευούσης πόλεως ὁ μὲν προεστὼς ὑστερει διὰ γῆρας, πρεσβύτεροι δ᾽αὐτοῦ παρόντες τὴν αὐτοῦ τάξιν ἐπλήρουν.

(ed. Heikel 1902: 80)

III.7

In effect, the most distinguished of God's ministers from all the churches which abounded in Europe, Lybia, and Asia were here assembled. [...] The prelate of the imperial city was prevented from attending by extreme old age; but his presbyters were present, and supplied his place.

(trans. E. Cushing Richardson 1890)

Discussion:

The Council of Nicaea was convoked by Emperor Constantine mainly to settle issues raised by the controversy of Arius. At that time Sylvester I was the bishop of Rome and it was he who sent two presbyters as his vicars. We know their names, Vitus and Vincentius, from other sources (conciliar lists, Socrates Scholasticus, Ecclesiastical History I.13 [739]; Anonymous (Gelasius) of Cyzicus II.28.1, [849]).

Place of event:

Region

East
Rome

City

Nicaea

About the source:

Author: Eusebius of Caesarea
Title: Life of Constantine, De vita Constantini, Vita Constantini, Εἰς τὸν βίον Κονσταντίνου βασίλεως
Origin: Constantinople (East)
Denomination: Arian

Eusebius, bishop of Caesarea Maritima from about AD 314, was a Church historian and an exegete. His most important work was Ecclesiastical History. He wrote the Life of Constantine after the death of the emperor in AD 337. Eusebius died in AD 339.

Edition:

Eusebius Werke, Bd. 1, Über das Leben Constantins, Constantins Rede and die Heilige Versammlung, Tricennatsrede an Constantin, ed. I.A. Heikel, Leipzig 1902

Translation:

Eusebius of Caesarea, Life of Constantine, trans. E. Cushing Richardson [in:] Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, vol. 1, ed. P. Schaff, H. Wace, Buffalo 1890.

Bibliography:

V. Grumel, "Le siège de Rome et le concile de Nicée. Convocation et présidence", Échos d'Orient 24 (1925), 411-423.

Categories:

Travel and change of residence

Described by a title - Presbyter/πρεσβύτερος

Ecclesiastical administration - Participation in councils and ecclesiastical courts

Ecclesiastical administration - Ecclesiastical envoy

Relation with - Bishop/Monastic superior

Please quote this record referring to its author, database name, number, and, if possible, stable URL: M. Szada, Presbyters in the Late Antique West, ER722, http://www.presbytersproject.ihuw.pl/index.php?id=6&SourceID=722