Editing Macedonius I of Constantinople

{{Short description|Fourth Century Bishop of Constantinople}}
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{{Infobox patriarch
| name         = Macedonius I of Constantinople
| patriarch_of = [[List of ecumenical patriarchs of Constantinople|Archbishop of Constantinople]]
| image        = 
| caption      = 
| ordination   = 
| consecration = 
| enthroned    = 342<br />351
| ended        = 346<br />360
| province     = 
| diocese      = 
| see          = 
| church       = 
| predecessor  = [[Paul I of Constantinople]]<br />[[Paul I of Constantinople]]
| successor    = [[Paul I of Constantinople]]<br />[[Eudoxius of Antioch]]
| birth_name   = 
| birth_date   = 
| birth_place  = 
| death_date   = 360
| death_place  = 
| buried       = 
| nationality  = 
| religion     = [[Arianism]]
}}

'''Macedonius I of Constantinople''' ([[Greek language|Greek]]: Μακεδόνιος; died after 360) was a Greek<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/354336/Macedonius |title=Macedonius - Greek bishop [flourished 4th century] |website=britannica.com |access-date=15 April 2018}}</ref> [[list of ecumenical patriarchs of Constantinople|bishop of Constantinople]] from 342 up to 346, and from 351 until 360. He inspired the establishment of the [[Pneumatomachi]] (also called Macedonians), a sect later declared [[heresy|heretical]].

== Biography ==
After bishop [[Alexander of Constantinople]]'s death in 336, his [[Orthodoxy|orthodox]] followers supported [[Paul I of Constantinople]]. On the other hand, the [[Arianism|Arians]] rallied round Macedonius I. The former was ordained bishop but did not hold his bishopric long. The Semi-Arian [[Roman emperor]] [[Constantius II]] came to Constantinople, convened a [[synod]] of Arian bishops, banished Paul I, and, to the disappointment of Macedonius I, translated [[Eusebius of Nicomedia]] to the vacant [[Episcopal see|see]]. This was thought to have been in 338.<ref>{{harvnb|Fuller|1911}} cites [[Socrates of Constantinople|Socrates Scholasticus]], II, 7.</ref>

Eusebius's death in 341 restarted hostilities between the partisans of Paul I and Macedonius I. Paul I returned, and was introduced into the Irene church of Constantinople; Arian bishops immediately ordained Macedonius in St. Paul's church. So violent did the tumult become that Constantius II sent his general Hermogenes (died 342) to eject Paul I for a second time. His soldiers met with open resistance; the general was killed and his body dragged through the city.<ref>{{harvnb|Fuller|1911}} cites Socrates, II, 13.</ref>

Constantius II at once left [[Antioch]] and punished Constantinople by depriving the people of half their daily allowance of [[cereal|corn]]. Paul I was expelled; Macedonius I was severely blamed for his part in these disturbances, and for allowing himself to be ordained without imperial sanction; but over all the Arians triumphed. Macedonius I was permitted to officiate the church in which he had been consecrated. Paul I went to Rome, and he and [[Athanasius of Alexandria]] and other orthodox bishops expelled from their sees were sent back by [[Pope Julius I]] with letters rebuking those who had deposed them. Philip the prefect executed the fresh orders of the emperor in hurrying Paul into exile to [[Thessalonica (theme)|Thessalonica]], and in reinstating Macedonius, but not without bloodshed.<ref>{{harvnb|Fuller|1911}} cites Socrates, II, 16.</ref>

Macedonius held the see for about six years, while letters and delegates, the pope and the emperors, synods and counter-synods, were debating and disputing the treatment of Paul I and Athanasius. In 349 the alternative of war offered by [[Constans]], emperor of the West, induced Constantius II to reinstate Paul I; and Macedonius I had to retire to a private church. The murder of Constans in 350 placed the East under the sole control of Constantius II, and Paul I was at once exiled. Imperial edicts followed, which permitted the Arians to claim to be the dominant faction in the church.{{sfn|Fuller|1911}}

Macedonius I is said to have signalled his return to power by acts which, if truly reported, brand him as a cruel bigot. The [[Novatianists]] suffered perhaps even more fearfully than the orthodox and some of them were stung into a desperate resistance: those of Constantinople removing the materials of their church to a distant suburb of the city; those at Mantinium in [[Paphlagonia]] daring to face the imperial soldiers sent to expel them from their home. "The exploits of Macedonius", says [[Socrates of Constantinople|Socrates Scholasticus]], "on behalf of [[Christianity]], consisted of [[murder]]s, [[battle]]s, [[incarceration]]s, and [[civil war]]s".<ref>{{harvnb|Fuller|1911}} cites Socrates, II, 38.</ref>

An act of presumption finally lost him the imperial favor in 358. The Sepulchre containing the body of [[Constantine the Great]] was in danger of falling to pieces, and Macedonius determined to remove them. The question was made a party one. The orthodox assailed as [[sacrilege]] "the disinterment of the supporter of the [[Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers|Nicene]] faith", the Macedonians pleaded the necessities of structural repair. When the remains were conveyed to the church of [[Acacius of Caesarea]], the excited populace met in the church and churchyard; so frightful a carnage ensued that the place was filled with blood and slaughtered bodies.<ref>{{harvnb|Fuller|1911}} cites Socrates, II, 38.</ref> Constantius II's anger was great against Macedonius I because of the slaughter, but even more, because he had removed the body without consulting him.{{sfn|Fuller|1911}}

When Macedonius I presented himself at the [[council of Seleucia]] in 359, it was ruled that being under accusation it was not proper for him to remain (Socrates, II, 40). His opponents, [[Acacius of Caesarea]], [[Eudoxius of Antioch]], and others, followed him to Constantinople, and, availing themselves of the emperor's indignation, deposed him in 360 on the ground of cruelty and canonical irregularities. Macedonius I retired to a suburb of the city and died there.{{sfn|Fuller|1911}}

He is said to have elaborated the views with which his name is connected in his retirement. The "[[Pneumatomachi|Macedonians]]", his followers, did not believe in the divinity of the [[Holy Spirit]].

== Notes and references ==
{{Reflist}}

=== Attribution ===
{{sfn whitelist|CITEREFFuller1911}}
* {{DCBL|first=J. M. |last=Fuller|wstitle=Macedonius, bp. of Constantinople}} Fuller cites:
** [[Socrates Scholasticus]], H. E., II, 7, 13, 16, 38, 40;
** Fuller advises for authorities, consult the scattered notices in Socrates, Sozomen; Hefele, Conciliengeschichte, i; the usual Church histories and HOLY GHOST in D. C. B. (4-vol. ed. 1882).

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{{Succession box
| before = [[Paul I of Constantinople|Paul I]]
| title  = [[List of ecumenical patriarchs of Constantinople|Archbishop of Constantinople]]
| years  = 342 – 346
| after  = [[Paul I of Constantinople|Paul I]]
}}
{{Succession box
| before = [[Paul I of Constantinople|Paul I]] (2)
| title  = [[List of ecumenical patriarchs of Constantinople|Archbishop of Constantinople]]
| years  = 351 – 360
| after  = [[Eudoxius of Antioch|Eudoxius]] (3)
}}
{{s-end}}
{{Patriarchs of Constantinople}}

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[[Category:4th-century Archbishops of Constantinople]]
[[Category:People declared heretics by the first seven ecumenical councils]]
[[Category:4th-century Romans]]