Eusebius Pamphilus
(C. 263 - 340 AD)
Historical Note
Eusebius, the great Father of Church history, was born in Caesarea,
Palestine, around 263 AD. In his early years, Eusebius studied under the
presbyters Dorotheus and Pamphilus, the latter being the distinguished
successor to Origen’s school in Caesarea. It was out of respect for this
teacher that Eusebius took the name of Pamphilus. It was also in Caesarea
that Eusebius received some of the misleading phrases on the Word that
would lead him later into Semi-Arianism.
Eusebius was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Agapius and worked
with Pamphilus to enrich the library of Caesarea with new manuscripts. His
gentle, agreeable and irenic character suited him for this work and his
studies in the future. He survived the Diocletian persecution, however,
Pamphilus was not so fortunate.
In 313 AD, Eusebius was appointed to the see of Caesarea. There then
followed a period of peace lasting over ten years. It was during this period
that Eusebius began writing his most reputable works.
Soon after, he became directly embroiled in the Arian controversy. Despite
signing the Nicene Creed (due to pressure from the Emperor Constantine),
Eusebius adopted openly a middle semi-Arian position for the sake of
compromise and peace within the Church. This position, known
specifically as Homoianism, accepted the likeness of the Father and the Son
without reference to their substance. He also publicly defended his
namesake, the Arian Eusebius of Nicomedia, and took part in the Council
of Antioch in 330 AD which deposed Eustathius, and the Council of Tyre
in 335 AD which excommunicated, deposed and sent St. Athanasius into
exile. Eusebius may have opposed St. Athanasius and his followers also
because of their zeal, which he saw as disturbing the peace of the Church.
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