Helasius of Kizic ( Greek Γελάσιος ὁ Κυζικηνός ) or Helasius of Kizik ( Γελάσιος Κυζίκου ) is a Greek historian of the 2nd half of the 5th century, the author of "Church History" dedicated to the reign of the reign of Emperor Constantine the Great , mainly the Universe .
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In all surviving manuscripts of Church History, this work is anonymous. The name of the author - Gelasius - was indicated only in the "Library" of the Patriarch of Constantinople Photius I. Insignificant information about the author is contained only in the text of his "History". He was the son of a priest from Kizik and wrote History in the Roman province of Bithynia in Asia Minor around 475, in order to prove to the supporters of Eutyches that the Nicene fathers did not teach Monophysitism . In addition, nothing is known about his personality.
The original title of the book “Church History”, apparently, was later replaced by “The Narrative of the Acts of the Council in Nicaea” (Τῶν κατὰ τὴν ἐν Νικαίᾳ σύνοδον πραχθέντων σύνταγμα). This compilation, compiled on the basis of the works of Eusebius of Caesarea , Rufin of Aquileia , Socrates Scholastic , Sozomen , Blessed Theodoret and acts of the Council of Nicaea, which Gelasius read “in a very ancient” manuscript, once owned by archbishop Dalmatia of Kisic , and later transferred to it not entirely reliable, although it contains a lot of unique information and is therefore important for historians. A significant part of the materials of the meetings of the council is occupied by the debate of Orthodox bishops with the philosopher Fedon, hired for money by Arians. Rufin wrote about a dispute with a certain “dialectic” during the Council of Nicaea, but he did not say that this dialectic defended the teachings of Arius. This debate raises doubts about its authenticity, since it raises the question of the Divine Spirit of the Holy Spirit, which was not discussed at that time. Gelasius does not write anything about the fact that the Arian confession of faith, compiled by Eusebius of Nicomedia , was read at the cathedral, as Theodorite mentions. Also, Gelasius does not mention some events known from other sources.
Literature
- Zaitsev D.V. Gelasius of Kizic // Orthodox Encyclopedia . - M .: Church and Scientific Center "Orthodox Encyclopedia" , 2005. - T. X. - S. 546-547. - 752 s. - 39,000 copies. - ISBN 5-89572-016-1 .
- Gelasius of Kisic // Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary : 86 volumes (82 volumes and 4 additional). - SPb. , 1890-1907.