Macedonius

ON SAINT MACEDONIUS,

BISHOP OF CONSTANTINOPLE.

YEAR 516

Macedonius, Bishop of Constantinople (St.)

By G. H.

CHAPTER I.

The Saint purges his less honorable beginnings by a distinguished confession.

In the fifth century of Christ there reigned as Emperors Zeno and Anastasius, perfidious men; of whom the former published a formula of faith, composed by Acacius, the most cunning Bishop of Constantinople, called Henotikon, that is, conciliatory or unitive, Zeno's Henotikon, under which lay hidden the tacit abrogation of the Ecumenical Council of Chalcedon. The latter succeeded Zeno when he died in the year 491, to the exclusion of Longinus, Zeno's brother, who for some years waged grave war against him with the Isaurians, his countrymen, whose ambushes and machinations he imputed to Euphemius, then Bishop of Constantinople. Wherefore after Longinus and other rebels had been slain, Theophanes says, persuaded by the Emperor Anastasius, Saint Macedonius subscribes, "at the Bishops gathered at Constantinople, the Emperor complained about Euphemius: who, to win the Emperor's favor, approved by their votes his prohibition and deposition, both from communion and from his office: in whose place the Emperor designated as Bishop of Constantinople Macedonius (of whom we here treat), who was already custodian of the sacred vessels. But Macedonius, ill-persuaded by Anastasius, subscribed to Zeno's Concord." Theodore Lector in book 2 of the Collectanea has these same things, and helps his predecessor Euphemius to be led into exile: and adds: "This Macedonius was a religious and sacred man, as one reared by Gennadius, of whom also (as rumor has it) he was nephew by a sister. The Emperor ordered Euphemius to be taken into exile. But he through Macedonius sought a pledge that he might be led away from there without treachery. Macedonius, thinking of something praiseworthy, that assurance and reason be given to him, consented. And when Euphemius was in the baptistery, he ordered the Episcopal insignia to be taken off him by the Deacon, and thus approached Euphemius; and after the exchange, he gave him moneys for the support of those who were with him." So Theodore, and with him Theophanes: which happened in 495.

[2] But two years later the same Theophanes hands this down: "This year Macedonius, on the Emperor's counsel, strove to reconcile the monasteries of the City, he tries to bring peace to the church, which were separating themselves from the communion of the principal Church on account of Zeno's Henotikon. But when he could not carry out his purpose, he advised the Emperor to call together the Bishops wandering through the city into one place, and by written document to confirm what the Council of Chalcedon had rightly decreed; which afterward was done by an act of writing sealed. He was again exhorting the monasteries to peace and concord, especially those of Dius and Bassianus and the Acoemetae and Matrona, which had decided to hold their ecclesiastical assemblies separately from those who had accepted the sanction of the Concord, and to leave the quiet monks alone: or rather even to bear exiles of any kind willingly and eagerly. Therefore, when they persistently persevered in the counsel they had once undertaken, Macedonius decided rather to yield to their will than to stir up a harsher persecution against them." So there. The aforesaid monasteries were among the more illustrious that were then at Constantinople. For, as George Codinus testifies in On the Origins of Constantinople page 61, Saint Dius asked Theodosius the Great for a place, and built a monastery in it, which is called of Dius. Which is read more fully in the Menology of Sirleto on 19 July, his feast day. But Saint Bassianus is venerated on 10 October, whose number of disciples grew to three hundred, from among whom Saint Matrona came; but Bassianus himself shone so greatly with virtues and miracles that under his name a temple was built, as is read in the Menaea. Concerning the monastery of the Acoemetae we treated on 15 January, at the Life of Saint Alexander the founder and of Saint John Calybita. But Saint Matrona is inscribed in the Menaea on 9 November.

[3] Afterward Festus, a Roman Senator, sent from Rome on certain public business, to Anastasius at Constantinople; exhorted that the memory of Saints Peter and Paul be celebrated with greater solemnity. Through this Festus, Macedonius wished to send a Synodal letter He is forbidden to send a Synodal letter to the Roman Pontiff: and to give account to Anastasius the Roman Pontiff: but he was prohibited by the Emperor from doing so. So hand down Theodore Lector and Theophanes. Before the return of Festus, Pope Anastasius had departed from life, dead on the 16th day before the Kalends of December of the year 498: and Saint Symmachus was substituted in his place.

[4] But that Saint Macedonius, when he more accurately recognized the fraud underlying the sanction of the Henotikon, adhered with all his strength to the Council of Chalcedon, we will gather sufficiently from what follows. Moreover Cyril the monk, who flourished in the sixth century, in the Life of Saint Sabas the Abbot on 5 December, writes this concerning the expelled Euphemius and the substituted Saint Macedonius: He is received into communion by Saint Elias, Bishop of Jerusalem: "Euphemius indeed on account of his correct opinion of faith is impiously driven from the rule of the See; in his place Macedonius is raised up. Since matters stood thus in the Church, Elias, Bishop of Jerusalem, did not tolerate to consent to those who had expelled Euphemius, as those who had expelled him contrary to the rule. But with Macedonius he did not hesitate to commune and to agree with him, as one who himself also embraced the correct faith: which indeed not a little disturbed the Emperor at first." So there. Saint Elias, Patriarch of Jerusalem, is venerated on 4 July in the Roman Martyrology, who survived beyond the death of the Emperor Anastasius, and under him was driven into exile.

[5] Meanwhile, as Theodore Lector writes, the Persians, roused against the Romans, invaded many cities, especially of Amida. But when the Emperor had made treaties with the Persians, the Banians invaded Pontus. Anastasius, occupied with wars, desisted from harassing the Orthodox. He is harassed by the Emperor Anastasius: But when he received a little rest from warlike occupations, he was again armed against the Church and against Macedonius. So Theodore. Which Theophanes refers to the 16th year of the reign of Anastasius, the 507th of Christ, in these words: "This year Anastasius, freed from war, bent every effort to perverting Macedonius the Patriarch from the right sense of the faith. Therefore he attacked him with guile. he does good to his enemies: For," says Theodore, "the enemies of Macedonius suborned a certain Eucholius to attack him with a sword. But Macedonius, to show his meekness, commanded gifts to be given to Eucholius. He did something similar toward certain sacrilegious men." So there, which are more distinctly narrated by Theophanes in this manner: "Macedonius deemed the Emperor worthy neither of communion nor of the familiarity of conversation; wherefore Anastasius secretly withdrew him from the city. And a certain Acholius, at the suggestion of those opposed to him, drawing a sword over his head, Macedonius ordered to carry away the monthly allowance, being praised for such great clemency toward the man: which liberality he likewise exercised toward certain needy men who had plundered the church."

[6] The same writes this at the 19th year of the reign of Anastasius and the 510th of Christ: "This year certain heretical monks, two hundred in number, crossed over from the East to Byzantium with the impious Severus, were preparing ambushes for Macedonius and the condemnation of the Synod. These Anastasius received with honor, as adversaries of the truth, who had disturbed the whole East, and were likewise about to stir up the same things here. But John, Bishop of Alexandria, promised he would give the Emperor two hundred pounds of gold, if only he would wholly abrogate the Synod celebrated at Chalcedon. He declares as enemies those who do not accept the Council of Chalcedon: The Emperor therefore compelled Macedonius to have communion with John's legates, and to give peace to John himself, who neither received nor rejected the Synod. On the contrary Macedonius set himself, saying that he would impart no communion to them, unless they professed the Council of Chalcedon as mother and teacher … In these things the Emperor was compelling Macedonius to reject the Synod once held at Chalcedon, as also Elias, Bishop of Jerusalem, did. To this Macedonius: he was asserting that he could not do this without a universal Synod, at which the Roman Bishop would first preside. By which the Emperor being exasperated, ordered those fleeing into the church for the sake of seeking immunity to be torn away by force, and granted the rights of such liberty to the shrines of heretics. But whoever, both of the Clergy and of the people, dwelling at Byzantium were heretics, He is attacked by heretics: were giving aid to Severus and those heretics of the East in attacking Macedonius. From which the God-bearing monks of Palestine, moved by divine affection, came together at Constantinople to refute Severus and his follower monks. Dorotheus meanwhile, an Alexandrian monk, presented to Magna, who was betrothed to Anastasius's brother, and who had preserved a right sense of the faith until then, a great volume written by him for the defense of the Council of Chalcedon: He has other protectors: which she gave to Anastasius, hoping by the clarity of doctrine to draw the man from perfidy. He, having read the book, when he perceived that the work was composed beyond his opinion, sent Dorotheus away to Oasis, and took no account of the book, because it bore inscribed, 'Tragedy,' that is, a Prophecy of the present state of affairs, as they narrate that it was pronounced also by the great Basil against Julian. For the rest, Macedonius was striking with the thunderbolt of anathemas Flavian of Antioch, and whoever lightly barked against the Synod, he condemns Flavian, Bishop of Antioch. and removed Flavian's legates, who were meeting him about certain business, placing them under curses." So Theophanes. But Flavian, afterwards driven into exile for the defense of the Council of Chalcedon, is venerated on 4 July; and Severus the heretic, already mentioned, was intruded in his place.

CHAPTER II.

Ambushes prepared, exile.

[7] The same Theophanes at the 20th year of the Emperor Anastasius, that is, of Christ 511, has this: "This year the Emperor prepared ambushes for Macedonius; He suffers ambushes from the Emperor and others, and by the agency of Schismatic monks and Clerics and Julian, once of Caria and afterward of Halicarnassus Bishop, and of the impious Severus still acting as a monk, with foul insults publicly sent forth, he was attacking Macedonius. But the crowded populace of the City, with women and children, he is defended by others: together with the Prefects of the orthodox monks, was crying out: 'The time of martyrdom is here, let us not desert our Father.' And hurled insults at the Emperor, crying that he himself was a Manichaean and wholly unworthy of empire. By which he terrified, closed the gates of the palace, and even kept ships ready for flight; and he who previously had also bound himself by oath never to admit Macedonius to his sight, seized by fear, was eagerly desiring to see him: and when he was setting out to the Emperor, the people with great acclamations turning to the Abbots and monks said: Summoned by the Emperor, 'We have our Father among us.' But also as he passed through, the military Scholae accompanied him with auspicious voices. Finally, being brought in to Anastasius, he reproached him as an enemy of the Church: but he for the present feigned to hold peace and one mind with the Bishop." So Theophanes, which nearly the same things are in Theodore Lector. But let us proceed with what the same Theophanes reports as done in the 21st year of the reign of Anastasius, that is 512 of Christ. "This year," he says, "a commentary having been sent through Celer the Master, the Emperor deceived Macedonius: and he professed to approve indeed the first and second Synod; but he was wholly silent about the Ephesian and Chalcedonian: and deceived by his pretence, by which Macedonius conciliated great hatred to himself. For by a commentary of this kind he approved the sanction of Concord issued by Zeno, to which when he was being ordained he had subscribed. Therefore Macedonius, going to the monastery of Dalmatius, in the monastery of Dalmatius professes the true faith: to the Clerics and monks led by a more fervent zeal, and indignant at the foulness of the deed seen, instituted his defense in a declamatory speech: protesting

that he admitted the Council of Chalcedon, and held as heretics those who rejected it. Having heard these things, they celebrated together with him the sacred solemnities of Mass." So there. George Codinus mentions the said monastery on page 62. Dalmatius or Dalmatas the Patrician, grandson of Constans the Great, had founded it.

[8] What was thereafter done by the Emperor Anastasius Theophanes thus continues: That he be cast down from the See, "Meanwhile the Emperor impelled the Clerics and monks who were of his mind by gifts, that they should substitute another Bishop in his place: which grieved the Empress Ariadne and the chief men of the Senatorial Order. For Macedonius was dear to all, both for the cleanness of his life, and for the right and sincere opinion about the faith, although he afterward suffered deceit. He is attacked by calumnies: To these things the Emperor procured two wicked and profligate men, who should accuse Macedonius of preposterous lust with boys and of heresy, and should offer a written accusation concerning these things to the Prefect and the Master: and he instituted another similar one against Catholic Presbyters and Deacons." So Theophanes: which Evagrius in book 3 of the Ecclesiastical History, chapter 22, explains thus: "Anastasius wished to receive from Macedonius a writing of his confession. 'For it is a disgrace,' he said, 'to the empire if that document be preserved.' When Macedonius strongly resisted this demand, and constantly maintained that he would in no way betray the faith, the Emperor Anastasius began to plot ambushes against him, and he is freed: indeed to this end, that he might drive him from the Bishopric. Therefore at length young accusers come forward, who falsely charge both themselves and Macedonius with a certain shameful crime. But when Macedonius was discovered to lack genitals, they turn themselves to other deceits." So there. But Nicephorus in book 16 chapter 26 adds this: "But after Macedonius, having drawn up his tunic, showed himself to lack the male parts, he refuted their fabricated calumny."

[9] "Finally the Emperor" (the words are of Theophanes) "commanded Celer the Master, to drive Macedonius by the greatest force from the Episcopal residence, crying out that he was prepared to undertake his defense not only in the Praetorium, but even in the theater. To be sent into exile, Hence many of the Clergy were cast into prison, others, having gained the benefit of flight, were scattered throughout the Roman and Phoenician province. But the impious Emperor was striving to take from Macedonius and tear up, by the aid of the Master, the authentic records of what had been done at Chalcedon: He places the Acts of the Council of Chalcedon on the altar: but these, marked with a seal, Macedonius had laid on the altar: which at last Calepodius the eunuch, the Oikonomos of the great Church, having secretly stolen, brought to the Emperor. At length the Emperor commanded Macedonius, abducted by force by night, to be carried first to Chalcedon, thence to Euchaita; daring to make no inquiry concerning the charges against him, for fear of the people. With Timothy intruded into the See, The following day he declares as Bishop a certain Timothy, Presbyter and Sceuophylax of the Church: who, first entering the Church, put down the images of Macedonius, and thus at length attended to sacred duties. Moreover Anastasius, weighing that Macedonius had been cast into exile without the case being pleaded or any sentence of deposition being passed against him, having sent the Master, appointed him a day beyond Claudiopolis of the province of Honorias. he is deposed from office, But against him already transported before the trial, judges, witnesses, and accusers having been set up, they condemn him in his absence by nullification of his office, and through Bishops and a Presbyter of Cyzicus send the sentence of deposition. Whom when Macedonius saw, even before the beginning of speech he asks whether they accept the Council of Chalcedon? When they answered, 'Who are you?' he said: 'If the Sabbatians or Macedonians should bring me a sentence of deposition, ought I to receive them?' and he is sent to Euchaita: And thus, their business unfinished, they returned: but he himself set out for Euchaita." So there. Concerning the city of Euchaita we treated at greater length on 7 February, at the Life of Saint Theodore the General and Martyr, born at Euchaita and honored with a famous pilgrimage. It is distant from Amasea, the metropolis of Helenopontus, by the journey of one day; and between it and Chalcedon nearly midway is Claudiopolis, the metropolis of the province of Honorias, situated between Bithynia and Paphlagonia. But the Sabbatians and Macedonians, to whom Saint Macedonius compared the bearers of the sentence passed against himself, were famous heretics of an earlier time, followers of Sabbatius the Novatian Bishop (who making a Schism among the Novatians wished Easter to be celebrated after the manner of the Jews) and of Macedonius the First, Bishop of Constantinople, most infestive enemy of the Divinity of the Holy Spirit, against whom the Second Ecumenical Council had been held at Constantinople under Saint Damasus the Pope in the year 381.

[10] Many suffered various things on his account, But let us visit the exile Saint Macedonius, concerning whom Theophanes at the 22nd year of the Emperor Anastasius, of Christ 513, writes this: "Anastasius, the unjust Emperor, and Timothy, the sacrilegious Bishop of Constantinople, inflicted very many evils on monks, laymen, and Clerics, on account of Macedonius and the Council of Chalcedon, so that they drove many of them into exile at Oasis of the Thebaid. And Timothy sent synodal letters and the deposition of Macedonius to all the Bishops throughout the cities to be signed: from whom, those who excelled in fortitude, went opposite to both: those weaker in spirit, from fear of the Emperor, subscribed to both: those who held the middle course, affixed their name and subscription nowhere to the deposition of Macedonius, but only to the Synodal letters of Timothy alone, which however was entirely the same, though they themselves sold the distinction. … The Emperor oppressed with many calamities his own cousin Pompey and his wife, a most adorned woman and accustomed to good works, as well-disposed toward the Synod, and Pompey the Emperor's cousin, and supplying to Macedonius in exile those things which pertain to the necessity of life."

[11] At the 23rd year of the Emperor, 514 of Christ, this Theophanes suggests. "This year Vitalian, having occupied all Thrace, Scythia, and Mysia, leading with him a huge number of Huns and Bulgars, captured Anchialus and Odessopolis (fortified places of Thrace on the Euxine Sea) and the very Master of the Thracian army, Cyril himself, with spoils driven everywhere as far as Byzantium, seized. But as he spared the City, he pitched his camp at Sosthenium, near the Bosphorus. For him to be restored to the See, the General Vitalian acts, Anastasius in desperate affairs sent some of the Senatorial Order, who should ask him about making peace: and he swore together with the whole Senate to recall the exiled Bishops to Heraclea of Thrace. To these Vitalian wished it to be added, that the Chiefs of each Schola should assert the same by oath: and that Macedonius and Flavian, unjustly expelled from their own thrones, should receive them, and likewise the rest of the Bishops their own; and thus at length a Synod would be convoked, to which the Roman Pontiff and the rest of the Bishops would come. With the Emperor and the whole Senate and the rest of the Magistrates and people interposing an oath, and affirming with pledged faith that things should be done according to the order set forth, peace was concluded: and he himself returned home … But the impious Emperor violated the pacts."

* others Celerem * others Celeri

CHAPTER III.

Death, miracles, sacred cult.

[12] In the 25th year of the Emperor, of Christ 516, the death of Saint Macedonius, with the events that preceded, Theophanes thus describes: "This year the Huns, who have the appellation Sabir, having crossed the limits of the Caspian Gates, harassed Armenia with their incursions: and having depopulated Cappadocia, Galatia, and Pontus, On account of an incursion of the Huns, advanced as far as the city of Euchaita, which they nearly subdued: whence fleeing, the holy Macedonius, everywhere on the road endangering his life, at length safely retreated to Gangra, he flees to Gangra: metropolis of Paphlagonia. With grief Anastasius heard of the man's safety, and ordered him to be kept under guard: sending also, as they say, one who should remove him out of the way. He dies, perhaps slain; Thus consumed at Gangra, he was laid to rest in the church of Saint Callinicus the Martyr, next to his Relics; where he provides healings of diseases. They narrate that Macedonius, dead and lying, with his hand made the sign of the Cross." These last things are thus expressed in Greek: "Katetethē en tō naō tou hagiou Martyros Kallinikou, engista tōn leipsanōn autou, pollas iaseis epitelōn. Makedoniou nekrou keimenou phasi tē cheiri katasphragisasthai tō staurō." he shines with miracles: Which Anastasius the Librarian in his history thus expressed in Latin: "But dying at Gangra, he was placed in the temple of the holy Martyr Callinicus next to his relics, performing many healings, who when he lay lifeless, is reported to have signed himself with his hand with the sign of the Cross." George Cedrenus in the Compendium of Histories, also at the 25th year of Anastasius, writes nearly the same thus: "Macedonius, dying at Gangra, was laid in the church of the holy Martyr Callinicus, performing many healings. But when he was being placed in the tomb, lifting his right hand he sealed himself with the sign of the Cross." In Greek "aras tēn dexian cheira katesphragisato tō staurō," but it is doubtful what he signed, whether in Episcopal manner the people standing by, or the tomb, or himself — which last Nicephorus in book 16 of the Ecclesiastical History chapter 26 expressed in these words: "Tō neō Kallinikou prosetethē tou Martyros, myria thaumata ektelōn. He signs himself with the sign of the Cross: Hon phasi kai nekron keimenon, heauton tō theiō typō tou staurou tē idia sphragisai cheiri." "He was laid in the church of Callinicus the Martyr, performing innumerable miracles. Whom, they say, even when he lay dead, sealed himself with his own hand with the divine sign of the Cross." Callinicus the Martyr is venerated on 29 July, inscribed in the Roman Martyrology.

[13] Among innumerable miracles this can be reckoned, generally described by all, which Theophanes thus narrates: "A certain Theodore, one of Macedonius's familiars, appearing, he summons Anastasius to the judgment of God, saw him after death in a dream saying to him: 'Receive these things and going read them before Anastasius, and say to him: I indeed go to my Fathers, whose faith I have preserved; but I will not cease to entreat the Lord, until you too come, and we may be placed together to undergo judgment.'" The same then at the last year of Anastasius's life has this: Also terrified by a dream, "This year the Emperor Anastasius saw a terrible man in a vision, holding a book in his hand, which when he had opened and found the Emperor's name, said to him: 'Behold, on account of the perversity of your faith I am blotting out fourteen years.' And he blotted out just so many. Waking, he calls Amantius the Praepositus and relates the vision. He says: 'I also this night was seeing myself standing before your Majesty, and a great pig rushing on, seizing my cloak, cast me to the ground and devoured me utterly.' Having summoned therefore Proclus the interpreter of dreams, they recounted to him what was seen. He replies: 'In a short space both of you will be consumed.' In this same year, in the eleventh Indiction, on the ninth of April, the impious Emperor Anastasius died, killed (as most others hand down) by a stroke of lightning." That year was 518.

[14] The sacred cult paid by the Greeks to Saint Macedonius is indicated by the MS Synaxarion of Paris of the Clermont College of the Society of Jesus, and the MS Greek Menaea of Turin of the Duke of Savoy, and another of Dijon of Peter Francis Chifletius, Saint Macedonius is venerated among the Greeks: in which on this 25 April is read this: "Memory of our holy Father Macedonius, Archbishop of Constantinople." Which are read wholly the same in the printed Menaea and in Maximus, Bishop of Cythera, for the Greek orthodox churches: but in the Menaea this distich is added,

"Ekstas Makedonie tou phthartou thronou Hymneis to theion son Seraphim kai"

"Thronois."

"Driven, Macedonius, from your perishable throne, You chant divine hymns with the Seraphim and Thrones."

Cardinal Sirleti, in inscribing Saints in his Menology, omitted by Sirleti: was not sufficiently diligent on some days — who on yesterday neglected Saint Elizabeth the Wonder-worker, inscribed everywhere in all the ancient Synaxaria, Menaea, and the Menology of the Emperor Basil and the Anthology: indeed concerning whom the Greeks have an Ecclesiastical office, as we set forth on that day. As therefore he passed over her yesterday, so he was content on today with the recital of only Saint Mark the Evangelist, and the following day of only Basileus the Martyr. Deceived by his negligence, Baronius wrote at the year §15 no. 50 that no memory of Saint Macedonius exists among the Greeks, and that the Menologies (namely those alone which he had seen with the eyes of Sirleti) have no trace of him.

[15] Justin succeeded the Emperor Anastasius, an orthodox and religiously distinguished Prince, under whom in the year 518 was held the Constantinopolitan Synod, whose Acts are inserted in the Acts of another Synod held there under Menas: and first the Synodal letter of the Bishops to John the Patriarch is recited, in which the first petition is, that Euphemius and Macedonius of holy memory, Under the Emperor Justin, the Bishops act on behalf of Macedonius, expelled and dead in exile, be justly and canonically recalled, and be handed over to the catalogue of their predecessor Archbishops there resting in the Lord, all things remaining void which were at any time done against them; and that their names be placed in the sacred diptychs, according as all the people and the monastic order have eagerly and much cried out … The second chapter contained that those who for the cause of the aforesaid Fathers, Euphemius we mean and Macedonius, were banished and put to flight, returning be restored to their proper grades. Forty-four Bishops subscribed. There is subjoined the libellus of the monks to the gathered Synod, petitioning, The monks, that "our Fathers of holy memory, who, we know not how, were expelled, namely Euphemius and Macedonius, in the present be justly and canonically recalled, and be handed over to the catalogue of the predecessor Archbishops there resting in the Lord, with all things ceasing which were at any time done against them: and that there be added in the sacred books along with them also the venerable name of Leo, Archbishop of the Romans." Fifty-two Presbyter Archimandrites subscribed. There follows then the title, "How the Synods were proclaimed." The people of Constantinople, In which event among the voices by the people came also these: "Restore the Relics of Macedonius to the Church. Restore those who are in exile for the faith to the Church. Bring now the Relics of Macedonius. Let the name of Macedonius now be entered. With all our voices we supplicate the Emperor. Restore Euphemius and Macedonius to the Church. Restore the Relics of Macedonius to the Church. In these you will always conquer. Let the names of Euphemius and Macedonius now be entered for the perfect festivity of the Church. Cast out the false witnesses of Macedonius …"

[16] Then the most holy Patriarch John, taking the diptychs, ordered the four holy Synods to be ordered … and he ordered the names of the Archbishops of this royal city departed in holy memory to be entered, His name is inscribed in the diptychs: Euphemius and Macedonius, and also Leo the Roman Pontiff. Then with a loud voice all the people, as with one mouth, cried out: "Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, because he has visited and made redemption for his people." And when at the time of the diptychs the appellations of the four holy Synods and of the Archbishops of holy memory Euphemius and Macedonius and Leo had been read, with a loud voice all cried out: "Glory to thee, Lord." And after this, with all modesty, the divine Mass was completed with God. In the letter of Epiphanius of Tyre and those who are under him to the Constantinopolitan Synod is read this: "Concerning the recall of our holy Fathers Euphemius and Macedonius, and the inscription of their names in the sacred diptychs, since you already have a God-beloved understanding, you have passed a sentence which approves them to be recalled, and their appellations to be inscribed in the sacred books: since nothing at all of what was unjustly done against them in a former time has stained their divine life. We extend a similar supplication concerning these things, that from the judgment of the most holy Patriarch of the royal city and your Holiness, as well as from the supplication made to our most pious Emperor, that the same be done for Flavian of Antioch, the Tyrians ask. he may receive with veneration also the body of our spiritual Father Flavian, Patriarch of Antioch, and cause it to be restored to the catalogue of our Fathers sleeping in the same Apostolic See, and order his venerable appellation in the sacred books. For it is just that he, who was wearied for Christ our God and his right faith, … should participate in those things in which, according to the judgment of your sanctity, participated those who were co-initiates with him, namely Euphemius and Macedonius of holy memory." With Epiphanius four other Bishops subscribed. These Acts took place in the year 518.

[17] But in the following year Apostolic Legates were sent by Pope Hormisdas, when in the libellus of faith, from John, Bishop of Constantinople, to Hormisdas, are anathematized "Nestorius, Eutyches, Dioscorus, Timothy Aelurus, and Peter of Alexandria, and likewise Acacius, former Bishop of the city of Constantinople, made their accomplice and follower; and those who persevere in their communion and participation." Hence in the suggestion of Dioscorus the Deacon to Pope Hormisdas is said: "After the libellus was made, the name of Acacius has been deleted from the diptychs, It seems that Macedonius's name was for a time removed from the diptychs, likewise also of Phravitas, Euphemius, Macedonius, and Timothy, and not only this in that very Church in which the Bishop remains, but also through all the Churches, with great diligence, by God's help, we suggest has been done." These four Bishops sat after Acacius, until the times in which John, of whom we here treat, presided over the said Church: whose zeal and obedience toward the Apostolic See we praise, because he removed these his predecessors indiscriminately all from the diptychs until his judgment, from which the name of Saint Macedonius was restored, as the ancient Menaea themselves and other monuments indicated above confirm. and afterwards restored Let it therefore remain as they testify: "hē mnēmē tou en Hagiois Patros hēmōn Makedoniou Archiepiskopou Patriarchou Kōnstantinoupoleōs." There are not such illustrious testimonies of the veneration of Saint Flavian of Antioch and Elias of Jerusalem among the Greeks: perhaps because, while Saint Macedonius constantly persisted in the orthodox faith, they themselves seem to have wavered. Meanwhile we also venerate them, because if not formerly they were inscribed in the Greek calendars, at least recently they were inscribed in the Roman Martyrology, in its latest revision at the judgment of Cardinal Baronius.