View source for Demophilus of Constantinople

{{Short description|Archbishop of Constantinople from 370 to 380}}
{{One source|date=December 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox patriarch
| name         = Demophilus of Constantinople
| patriarch_of = [[List of ecumenical patriarchs of Constantinople|Archbishop of Constantinople]]
| image        = 
| caption      = 
| ordination   = 
| consecration = 
| enthroned    = Early 370
| ended        = 27 November 380
| province     = 
| diocese      = 
| see          = 
| church       = 
| predecessor  = [[Eudoxius of Antioch]]
| successor    = [[Evagrius of Constantinople]]
| birth_name   = 
| birth_date   = 
| birth_place  = [[Thessalonica]]
| death_date   = 386
| death_place  = 
| buried       = 
| nationality  = 
| religion     = [[Arian Christianity]]
}}

'''Demophilus of Constantinople''' ({{langx|el|Δημόφιλος}}; died 386) was a bishop of [[Veria|Berea]] and an [[list of ecumenical patriarchs of Constantinople|Archbishop of Constantinople]] from Early 370 until he was expelled on 27 November 380.

== Biography ==
Born of good family in [[Thessalonica]],<ref>{{harvnb|Onslow|1911}} cites Philostorgius, H. E.; ix, 14.</ref> he was elected by the [[Arianism|Arians]] to the bishopric of Constantinople.<ref>{{harvnb|Onslow|1911}} cites Socrates, H. E.; iv, 14; Soz., H. E.; vi, 13.</ref> The opinion of the populace, however, was much divided.<ref>{{harvnb|Onslow|1911}} cites Philostorgius, H. E.; ix, 10.</ref> The orthodox party chose [[Evagrius of Constantinople|Evagrius]] for their bishop, and he was ordained by [[Eustathius of Antioch]], the deposed [[bishop of Antioch]]. This was the signal for a furious outburst from the Arians. Both Eustathius and Evagrius were banished by the [[Roman emperor]] [[Valens]], and their followers bitterly persecuted.<ref>{{harvnb|Onslow|1911}} cites Socrates, H. E.; iv, 14, 16; Soz., H. E.; vi, 13, 14.</ref>

Soon after his accession, Demophilus went to [[Cyzicus]] with Dorotheus, or Theodorus, of [[Heraclea Sintica|Heraclea]] to procure the election of an Arian bishop, which was left vacant since the banishment of [[Eunomius of Cyzicus]]. Nevertheless, the people of Cyzicus refused to acknowledge them until they had anathematized [[Aëtius of Antioch]], Eunomius of Cyzicus, and their followers. They were then permitted to ordain a bishop chosen by the people. The bishop who was ordained straightway and clearly taught the consubstantial faith.<ref>{{harvnb|Onslow|1911}} cites Philostorgius, H. E.; ix, 13.</ref>

In 380 Roman emperor [[Theodosius I]] made the [[patriarchate]] of Demophilus memorable. Theodosius I offered to confirm him in his [[Episcopal see|see]] if he would accept the [[Nicene Creed]]. Demophilus refused and was immediately ordered to give up his church. He then called his followers together and retired, with [[Lucius of Alexandria]] and others, to a church outside of the city walls.<ref>{{harvnb|Onslow|1911}} cites Socrates, H. E.; v, 7.</ref> The churches of Constantinople, which had for forty years been in Arian hands, were now restored to the [[Orthodoxy|orthodox]]; and similarly in other cities. It was in fact a re-establishment of [[Catholic Church|Catholicism]].{{sfn|Onslow|1911}}

[[Philostorgius]]<ref>{{harvnb|Onslow|1911}} cites Philostorgius, H. E.; ix, 19</ref> adds that Demophilus went to his own city, Berea; however this must have been some time afterwards, or he must have returned from exile, for he represented the Arian party at the [[synod]] in Constantinople in 383.<ref>{{harvnb|Onslow|1911}} cites Socrates, H. E.; v, 10; Soz., H. E.; vii, 12.</ref> The same writer says that Demophilus was wont to throw everything into confusion, especially the doctrines of the [[Catholic Church]], and quotes from a sermon at Constantinople, in which he spoke of the human nature of the Saviour as lost in the divine, as a glass of milk when poured into the sea.<ref>{{harvnb|Onslow|1911}} cites Philostorgius, Patrol. Gk., lxv; Soz., and Socr. Patrol. Gk. lxvii.</ref>

== Notes and references ==
{{Reflist}}

=== Attribution ===
{{sfn whitelist|CITEREFOnslow1911}}
* {{DCBL|first=P.|last=Onslow|wstitle=Demophilus}} Onslow used the following sources:
** [[Philostorgius]]. ''H. E.'', ix, 10, 13, 14, 19;
** Philostorgius ''Patrol. Gk.'', lxv;
** [[Socrates Scholasticus]] ''H. E.'', iv, 14, v, 7, 10;
** [[Sozomenus]] ''H. E.'' vi, 13, 14; vii, 12;
** Soz. and Socr. ''Patrol. Gk.'' lxvii.

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{{Succession box
| before = [[Eudoxius of Antioch]]
| title  = [[List of ecumenical patriarchs of Constantinople|Archbishop of Constantinople]]
| years  = 370 – 380
| after  = [[Evagrius of Constantinople|Evagrius]]
}}
{{s-end}}
{{Patriarchs of Constantinople}}

{{Authority control}}
[[Category:386 deaths]]
[[Category:Arian bishops]]
[[Category:4th-century Archbishops of Constantinople]]
[[Category:Roman-era Thessalonians]]
[[Category:Christianity in Roman Macedonia]]
[[Category:4th-century Romans]]
[[Category:Year of birth unknown]]
[[Category:Arian Archbishops of Constantinople]]