Eustathius of Antioch, a native of Side in Pamphylia, had been bishop of Beroea from around 320, and had become patriarch of Antioch shortly before the Council of Nicaea in 325.

In that assembly he had distinguished himself zealously against the Arians, but his anti–Arian polemic against Bishop Eusebius of Caesarea have made him unpopular among his fellow bishops in the East.

Eustathius opposes the growing influence of Origen and his practice of an allegorical exegesis of scripture, seeing in his theology the roots of Arianism.

Having reproached Eusebius for deviating from the Nicene faith, Eustathius is in turn charged with Sabellianism, and a synod convened at Antioch in 330 accuses him, condemns him, and passes a sentence of deposition, which is confirmed by the emperor.

The people of Antioch rebel against this action, while the anti-Eustathians propose Eusebius as the new bishop, but he declines.

Both parties meet Constantine at Constantinople at the end of 355.

Athanasius is accused of threatening to interfere with the grain supply from Egypt, and without any formal trial Constantine exiles him to the Rhineland.

At the same synod, another opponent is successfully attacked: Marcellus of Ancyra had long opposed the Eusebians and had protested against the reinstitution of Arius.

Accused of Sabellianism, he will be deposed in 336.

The Eusebians, now that Eustathius has been removed, proceed against Athanasius, a much more dangerous opponent.

Athanasius has devoted the first years of his episcopate to visitation of his extensive patriarchate, which includes all of Egypt and Libya.

During this time, …