Eustathius

Bishop of Antioch 324-c.326. Prior to his elevation to Antioch he had been bishop of Berea and also a confessor. A prominent and eloquent opponent of Arianism at the Council of Nicea* (325), he attracted the opposition of the Eusebians, the more so because of his strong criticisms of Origen* and because after his return to Antioch he refused to accept Arian clergy and entered into a bitter correspondence with Eusebius of Caesarea.* Perhaps as early as 326 his opponents were able to depose him at a synod in Antioch. Various reasons are given for the deposition. Theodoret's suggestion that it was because of immorality with a prostitute seems very unlikely. His sharp tongue, however, makes more probable Athanasius's statement that he was accused of insulting the emperor's mother, Helena. He may also have been charged with Sabellianism.* Constantine banished him to Thrace, and this further suggests nontheological factors. His followers formed the Eustathian sect which survived for some eighty years. His developed Christology is an anticipation of Nestorianism.* His only complete surviving work is a sermon on the witch of Endor (an attack on Origen).