Alenka CEDILNIK, Dominic MOREAU,
How Ulfilas became an Arian Bishop? Contribution (I) to the Christian Prosopography of the Dioecesis Thraciarum
Keywords: Ulfilas, Eusebius of Nicomedia, Arianism, Constantinople, Church.
Abstract: This paper sheds light on the historical importance taken by Ulfilas, not only among the Tervingi as their bishop, but also as an agent of the Empire, in the context of the initial development of the Constantinopolitan Patriarchate. His role will be shown by analysing the following events: (1) Ulfilas’ first visit to Constantinople and his consecration as a bishop by Eusebius of Nicomedia, (2) Ulfilas’ participation in the Council of Constantinople in 360, and (3) his third visit to Constantinople, in 381, while the Second Ecumenical Council was held. The key to the understanding of Ulfilas’ allegiance to Arianism seems to be closely connected with the rise of Constantinople to the top of the Eastern ecclesiastical hierarchy.