Eusebius of Caesarea

Eusebius of Caesarea (ysē`bēəs, sĕzərē`ə) or Eusebius Pamphili (păm`fĭlī), c.263–339?, Greek apologist and church historian, b. Palestine. He was bishop of Caesarea, Palestine (314?–339). In the controversy over Arianism, Eusebius favored the semi-Arian views of Eusebius of Nicomedia, and he once gave refuge to Arius. A simple baptismal creed submitted by Eusebius at the First Council of Nicaea (325) formed the basis of what became known as the Nicean Creed; it was amended with the Greek word homoousios [consubstantial, of the same substance] to define the Son's relationship with the Father. Eusebius considered this addition to the creed as reflecting the ideas of Sabellius, which he opposed. Although he signed the formulary, he later did not support it. His works include a universal history entitled the Chronicle, the Ecclesiastical History, and the apologetic works Praeparatio Evangelica and Demonstratio Evangelica.

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Eusebius of Caesarea

(flourished 4th century, Caesarea Palestinae, Palestine) Bishop and historian of early Christianity. Baptized and ordained at Caesarea in Palestine, he may have been imprisoned during the Roman persecutions. His fame rests on his Ecclesiastical History (312–324), which preserves portions of works no longer extant. He became bishop of Caesarea c. 313. Accused of Arianism, he was excommunicated in 325 but was soon exonerated by the Council of Nicaea. He was a staunch supporter of Constantine I's attempts to unify and standardize Christian doctrine, and his writings include the Life of Constantine.

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Eusebius of Caesarea 

(Eusebius Pamphili). Born between 260 and 265 in Caesarea; died in 338 or 339. Roman church writer and historian.

Eusebius, bishop of Caesarea from the year 311, sought to apply the attainments of ancient learning in the interests of the Christian church. His Church History, which recounts events from the origin of Christianity to 324, contains, along with valuable information, many fanciful traditions. He is also the author of the panegyrical Life ofConstantine, which extols the union of church and state. The authenticity of the extant text of the Life is still under discussion in the literature on the subject.

WORKS

Kirchengeschichte, 5th ed. Berlin-Leipzig, 1952.
Werke, vols. 1-8. Berlin, 1954.
In Russian translation:
Sochineniia, 2nd ed., vols. 1-2. St. Petersburg, 1850-58.

REFERENCE

Wallace-Hadrill, D. Eusebius of Caesarea. Westminster, 1961.