A source-book of ancient history - The Search For Mecca

Epeiph,
June 25-
July 24.
526 Early History of Christianity
Gaius Messius Quintus Trajanus Decius Pius Felix
Augustus,
Epeiph 2.
VI. Aurelian's Decision of the Bishopric of Antioch
He decides
which party
is orthodox.
Eusebius,
Ecclesiastical
History, vii.
25-
So then, as Paul had fallen from the bishopric as well
as from the orthodox faith, Domnus, as was said before,
succeeded him as Bishop of the Church of Antioch. But
as Paul entirely refused to leave the church-house, petition
was made to the emperor Aurelian, and he made a
very just decision of the matter, by ordering the house
to be given up to those with whom the bishops of the
religion in Italy and Rome held intercourse.
STUDIES
1. What ideal of life is presented in this selection?
2. What account does Eusebius give of the death and resurrection
of Jesus? Where may we find earlier accounts of these events?
What did the Apostles then do? Where did St. Peter go?
3. What is said to have been Nero's motive for persecuting the
Christians? What is the attitude of Tacitus toward the Christians?
Was this severe treatment a persecution of their religion or an excessive
punishment for an alleged but unproved crime?
4. How does Pliny describe the Christians of his province? What
does he ask Trajan and what is the answer?
5. What account does Lactantius give of the Emperor Decius?
Why should the person mentioned in the certificate wish to prove
himself a pagan?
6. In what way is it significant that a pagan emperor should decide
a question between two rival Christian sects? Whom did he
consider the leading authorities in Christendom?