§ 124. Мелетий Антиохийский. Подвиг жизни его.

In the history of the Russian Schism, no one's name is repeated as often as the name of St. Meletius of Antioch. A native of Armenian Melitina, Meletius c. 357 elected bishop of Sebaste. The restless spirit of the Sebastians forced the meek shepherd to leave his pulpit and retire to a solitary life in Sirskaya Beria 282. Meanwhile, the Antioch Church after St. Eustathia, (§ 97), either saw Arians as her shepherds, or was left completely without a shepherd 283. In 361, the orphans of Antioch unanimously, both Orthodox and Arians, decided to call Meletius to their shepherd: St. Eusebius of Samosata, then the authorized guardian of Orthodoxy in the East, sent the written request of the Antiochians to the court; but at the Arian court they also approved the election of Meletius. All the inhabitants of Antioch, even Jews and pagans, came out to meet the new Shepherd. At the same time, an opportunity opened up to see who Meletius was. Emperor Constantius proposed to the Council of Bishops that those well-known among them in enlightenment publicly explain the meaning of the words: The Lord created (ἐκτησε ἐκτησατα) Me the beginning of his ways. One bishop (George of Laodicea) proposed an Arian interpretation; the other (Akaky of Caesarea) is semi-Arian. Meletius's explanation clearly exposed the Arians. The Orthodox celebrated, the Arians were saddened and hastened to improve their situation. Meletius was sent to prison. Euzoos was sent to Antioch, whom St. Alexander (§ 93) excommunicated him as a sworn Arian. The Orthodox did not want to deal with a heretic. The faithful of Meletius gathered in the so-called ancient church. Others, out of zeal for pure faith, but out of unreasonable zeal, did not want to be called the flock of the one who was chosen with the consent of the Arians, and gathered in another church, calling themselves disciples of Eustathius 284. A sad division began. The wise West sanctified and approved the division: its authorized bishop Lucifer dedicated Bishop Paulinus to the Eustathians. Meanwhile, Apollinaris gathered another special society 285. After the death of Constantius, Meletius returned to his flock to see the extravagance of Julian in Antioch, and for the second time was sent to prison 286. Returned by the pious Jovinian, Blessed. Shepherd, wrote a statement of faith in 363, and then many of the Arians turned to Orthodoxy 287. Valens resumed the persecution of Julian in Antioch and in 372 Meletius again decided to send him to prison. Meletiev's flock was so offended by the Shepherd's fate that the people threw stones at the Prefect: but the Shepherd covered the Prefect's head with his clothes 288 . After the death of Valens, Meletius (at the end of 378) returned to Antioch and condemned Photinus at Apollinaris 289 at the Council. The constant concern of Basil the Great to end the Antiochian schism 290, with the meekness of Meletius, also achieved its goal: Paulinus was reconciled with Meletius, so that after the death of one the other would remain bishop of the entire Church 291. In 381, Meletius presided over the Ecumenical Council: but the prudent and meek Shepherd died peacefully during the Council 292. St. Gregory of Nyssa, in front of the Council, honored the memory of St. Meletius with a praiseworthy Word, and St. Chrysostom did the same, upon his entry into the priesthood 293. Jerome, Chronicon. Theodoret, N. E. 2. 31. 5. 31. Socrates says: μετενεχθη ἐις Βερροιαν, but does not say that Meletius should rule the Berry Church. Theodorit N. E. 2. 31. Socrates A. 26. Epiphanius Haeres. 73. § 29. Theodorite 3. 4. 5. 2. Sozomen 5. 11. 12. Socrates 3. 8. 9. Theodoret 3. 4 13. Gregory of Nyssa in the word about St. Meletii. Vetus synodicon ar. Fabricium Bibl, graec. 12. 383. Socrates 3. 25. Sozomen 6. 4. Theodorite 4. 4. 22. 25. Philothea c. 2. 8. Chrysostom in the word about St. Meletii. Basil the Great Er. 187. Vetus synodicon ap. Fabr. 12.388. Letters from St. Vasily 66–69. Sl. below about St. Vasily. Socrates 3. 5. Sozomen 7. 3. Epiphanius Hor. 77. Theodorite 5. 3. His words to one hermit who wore chains are remarkable: “iron is not needed if the intention is enough to place spiritual fetters on the body.” Theodorite Philothea c. 28. Memory of St. Meletia February 12. You might be interested in: