Eusebius of Caesarea - Roman historian, writer, theologian

Eusebius of Caesarea is one of the founders of Christian theology. He made a great contribution to the development of Christian history and became the author of the great works that formed the basis of Christian teaching.

Biography

Both the place and date of birth of Eusebius of Caesarea can only be determined approximately. Most likely, this event occurred in Caesarea Palestine tentatively in 260 AD. Preserved his teacher's name, he was presbyter Pamphil, who gave his ward a good education. He took direct part in the formation of his teacher's Christian library and gradually turned into an archivist-researcher, painstakingly studying the works that the ancient Greek historians, Roman philosophers, witnesses of the apostolic times left behind. As a token of gratitude to his teacher, Eusebius attributed the name of his mentor to his own.

Wandering

The beginning of the third century was terrible for all followers of the Christian teaching. The Emperor Diocletian set out to revive pagan beliefs and organized the persecution of Christians throughout the Roman provinces. Running from persecutors, Pamphil's disciple traveled through all the corners of the empire. Later wanderings were regarded by the opponents of the theologian as an evasion of the trials from which Eusebius of Caesarea escaped.

The chronicle of his wanderings covers a large period of time. In his travels, the theologian visited Egypt, Phenicia, Palestine, saw how cruelly the Christians were torturing the authorities. From 307 to 309 he was with his teacher in prison, survived the death of Pamphylus and, after all, was released. In 311, his residence was Tire Phoenician - the capital of the province of the same name. There he became acquainted with the local bishop Peacock and in 313 he was ordained a bishop.

"Church history"

All this time the future bishop selected and sorted the materials for the future book. I wanted to create a voluminous religious work Eusebius of Caesarea. "Church history" is the main work of the theologian. The first eight books were written during the period of wandering and imprisonment. Later, two more final parts were completed.

"Church history" is the first attempt to bring Christian traditions into one harmonious chronological system. For his work, Eusebius of Caesarea processed the works and extracts of various historians and theologians of an earlier period. A considerable role in this was played by the books of his youth. The library of friend and teacher Pamphyla provided an opportunity for the researcher to use the works of immediate witnesses of the apostolic age. Work began with a long time, which preceded the emergence of Christ, and ended with modern acts of Christian society.

The result of a hard work of many years was the ten-volume "Church History", which was so important for Christianity that all theologians of later time used the work of Eusebius to confirm their theories.

Literature

Other literary works of Eusebius are devoted to apologetics. This is the name of science that explains faith in terms of rationality. Simultaneously with "Church history" works were created that later served as the basis for scholasticism and allowing a rational interpretation of the gospel. In the period between 310-315 gg. A whole series of books was written, confirming the phenomenon of the Messiah and proving the divine origin of Christ. Of these, "Evangelical Evidence" and "Gospel Preparation" have reached our time, however, only in translations.

Christian position

The theological works and the Christian zeal with which Eusebius of Caesarea treated his episcopal mission made him a notable figure among religious philosophers. His speech on the opening of the basilica in Tire was marked by his contemporaries. At their request, Eusebius of Caesarea included this sermon in the tenth volume of "Church History". He was closely acquainted with Arius, whose teachings were later recognized as heresy, but did not share the ideas of Arianism. Nevertheless, he opposed the excommunication of Arius. At the Council of Antioch in 325, this position was regarded as a division of the heretical teaching. As a result, Eusebius of Caesarea himself refused to be excommunicated. But the 325 Ecumenical Council not only annulled excommunication, now Eusebius returned to the ranks of church leaders and was able to become the ideological leader of one of the three groups to which the present were divided. Eusebius tried to justify Aria, but he could not do it. Nevertheless, he accepted the canonical interpretation of the gospel, was a direct participant in the discussion of the common symbols of faith and introduced the concept of "consubstantial" in the church language.

Formation of canons

The controversy surrounding the importance of the Son and its relationship with his father threatened to drag on for centuries. In the dispute, the emperor Constantine intervened , summoning bishops to the Council of Nicaea. Perhaps it was there Basileus first saw Eusebius of Caesarea. The chronicles of the meetings, unfortunately, do not allow to find out how the greatest and most educated person of his time met. But there is indirect evidence of such a rapprochement. In the painting depicting the Council of Nicaea, Eusebius occupied one of the most honorable places - at the right hand of Constantine.

Friendship with the Emperor

Why, on the Ecumenical Council, which numbered about three hundred people, was not found closer to the emperor than Eusebius of Caesarea? "Life of Constantine" does not answer this question. This book, written by the hand of the theologian after the death of the emperor, presents us with a biography of the Byzantine ruler, abundantly greased with the oil of Christianity and humility. Perhaps Eusebius saw the opportunity to preach Christianity in a safe environment, as he had seen too many suffering and deaths throughout his life. Thus, Eusebius urged himself, he will serve Christ more than through martyrdom and death.

Meanwhile, historical chronicles say something quite different: the emperor was a calculating and cynical ruler who could first see the advantages of the new faith and instead of fighting with it, decided to accept Christianity itself. This Constantine has achieved a reduction in resistance among the poor.

Christian doctrine preaches humility and obedience to the authorities. In addition, the basileus received recognition and honor from the followers of the Christian faith. Thanks to his power and influence, he was able to offer a key position on a complex theological question, affirmed the unity of God the Father and God the Son.

The authority of Constantine was so great that of the three hundred bishops only two did not sign a new symbol, which later became one of the most important in the Orthodox Christian rite. Whether Eusebius was among these two, there is no answer.

Results

The literary heritage of Eusebius of Caesarea is studied with interest by historians, theologians, philosophers, and researchers of the Christian religion. His works contain many facts that point to the life and customs of that distant time. The books of Eusebius are published in many languages of the world and are a separate subject of the study of Theosophy.