priests, patriarchs, rich and poor, bond and free?
Sozomen, in his Ecclesiastical History, described (in heading to chap. 21) the council of Nicea: “WHAT THE COUNCIL DETERMINED ABOUT ARIUS; THE CONDEMNATION OF HIS FOLLOWERS; HIS WRITINGS ARE TO BE BURNT; CERTAIN OF THE HIGH PRIESTS DIFFER FROM THE COUNCIL; THE SETTLEMENT OF THE PASSOVER.” (NPNF series 2, vol. 2) At the end of chap. 25 of book 1, he wrote, “for this could be nothing else than the judgment of God, since it was established by the Holy Spirit from the concurrence of so many and such illustrious high priests, and approved after accurate inquiry and test of all the doubtful points.” In 2:17, he wrote, “For my part, I am convinced that it was by Divine appointment that Athanasius succeeded to the high-priesthood” Heading to 3:7 speaks of “HIGH PRIESTS OF ROME AND OF CONSTANTINOPLE” in reference to bishops. . . . Gregory of Nazianzen’s “Last Farewell” (Oration 42, delivered “in the presence of the one hundred and fifth bishops” according to heading): “Farewell, my throne, envi
