The Arian bishops from the Balkans

Abstract

Arianism, its role and importance for the development of Christianity and the religious policy of emperors, have been the subject of different studies. However, one important aspect of the history of this heresy remains understudied – the role of the Arian bishops from the Balkans in the development and political influence of this heresy. As early as the first half of the 4th century, Arianism spread throughout the Roman Empire. Many of the bishops of the Balkan Roman provinces sided with the Arians from the beginning of the religious conflict and began to take an active part in theological disputes, but so far their history and the role that they played have not been studies. Six Arian bishops from the Balkans are known to be close advisers to emperors, one of the most educated Christians of their time, charismatic leaders who left behind a literary legacy (which has not reached us) and followers. One of them, Demophilus of Augusta Trayana, managed to rise to the patriarch of Constantinople. The purpose of the proposed report is to present the main activities of Bishops Ursakius of Singidunum, Valens of Mursa, Palladius of Ratiaria, Auxentius of Durostorum, Demophilus of Augusta Traiana and Maximinus of Durostorum, as well as their influence on the development of the Arian conflict.

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