Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers: Series II/Volume II/Sozomen/Book II/Chapter 20
Chapter XX.—Concerning Maximus, who succeeded Macarius in the See of Jerusalem.
About this time Mark,[1]
who had succeeded Silvester, and who had held the episcopal sway during a short period, died, and Julius was raised to the see of Rome. Maximus succeeded Macarius in the bishopric of Jerusalem.[2]
It is said that Macarius had ordained him bishop over the church of
Diospolis, but that the members of the church of Jerusalem insisted
upon his remaining among them. For since he was a confessor, and
otherwise excellent, he was secretly chosen beforehand in the
approbation of the people for their bishopric, after that Macarius
should die. The dread of offending the people and exciting an
insurrection led to the election of another bishop over Diospolis, and
Maximus remained in Jerusalem, and exercised the priestly functions
conjointly with Macarius; and after the death of this latter, he
governed that church. It is, however, well known to those who are
accurately acquainted with these circumstances, that Macarius concurred
with the people in their desire to retain Maximus; for it is said that
he regretted the ordination of Maximus, and thought that he ought
necessarily to have been reserved for his own succession on account of
his holding right views concerning God and his confession, which had so
endeared him to the people. He likewise feared that, at his death, the
adherents of Eusebius and Patrophilus, who had embraced Arianism, would
take that opportunity to place one of their own views in his see; for
even while Macarius was living, they had attempted to introduce some
innovations, but since they were to be separated from him, they on this
account kept quiet.