Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers: Series II/Volume II/Sozomen/Book VI/Chapter 15
Chapter XV.—Disputes between Eusebius, Bishop of Cæsarea, and Basil the Great. Hence the Arians took courage and came to Cæsarea, and were repulsed.
When Valens quitted Nicomedia, he went on to Antioch;[1]
and in passing through Cappadocia he did all in his power, according to custom, to injure the orthodox and to deliver up the churches to the Arians. He thought to accomplish his designs the more easily on account of a dispute[2]
which was then pending between Basil and Eusebius, who then governed
the church of Cæsarea. This dissension had been the cause of
Basil’s departing from Pontus, where he lived conjointly with
some monks who pursued the philosophy. The people and some of the most
powerful and the wisest men in the city began to regard Eusebius with
suspicion, particularly as they considered him the cause of the
withdrawal of one who was equally celebrated for his piety and his
eloquence; and they accordingly began to plan a secession and the
holding of separate church. In the meantime Basil, fearing to be a
source of further trouble to the Church, which was already rent by the
dissensions of heretics, remained in retirement in the monasteries at
Pontus. The emperor and the bishops of the Arian heresy, who were
always attached to his suite, were more inspirited in their designs by
the absence of Basil and the hatred of the people towards Eusebius. But
the event was contrary to their judgment. On the first intelligence of
the intention of the emperor to pass through Cappadocia, Basil quitted
Pontus and returned to Cæsarea, where he effected a reconciliation
with Eusebius, and by his eloquence he opportunely aided the Church.
The projects of Valens were thus defeated, and he returned with his
bishops without having accomplished any of his designs.