Ursacius of Singidunum
Encyclopedia
Ursacius was bishop of Singidunum
, (the ancient Illyria
n city which was to become Belgrade
), during the middle of the Fourth Century. Ursacius played an important role during the evolving controversies surrounding the legacies of the Council of Nicaea
and the theologian Arius
, acting frequently in concert with his fellow Illyrian bishops, Germinius of Sirmium
and Valens of Mursa. Found at various times during their episcopal careers staking positions on both sides of the developing theological debate and internal Church politicking, Ursacius and his fellows were seen by contemporaneous and later Church Historical sources to vacillate according to the political winds, being 'always inclined to side with the dominant party.'
to investigate the veracity of accusations of impropriety made against Athanasius of Alexandria
. The endorsement by the group of the fabricated charges made against Athanasius is generally attributed to their partisanship for the theology of Arius. The association of Ursacius (and his fellow Illyrian bishops) with Arius is postulated by Wace
to have begun during the period of Arius' exile in Illyria in the period immediately after the Council of Nicaea. Ursacius and Valens next appear in 342 at Constantinople
assisting with the consecration of Macedonius
as bishop of the metropolis.
On the restoration of Athanasius of Alexandria
to his see in 346, Ursacius, along with his confederate Valens, recanted both of their previous hostility to Athanasius and to his Trinitarian theology. Accordingly, they journeyed to Rome, presenting a written recantation to its bishop, Julius
, and wrote to Athanasius, expressing their willingness to hold communion with him in the future.
Singidunum
Singidunum is the name for the ancient city in Serbia which became Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. It was recorded that a Celtic tribe Scordisci settled the area in the 3rd century BC following the Gallic invasion of the Balkans. The Roman Empire conquered the area in 75 BC and later garrisoned...
, (the ancient Illyria
Illyria
In classical antiquity, Illyria was a region in the western part of the Balkan Peninsula inhabited by the Illyrians....
n city which was to become Belgrade
Belgrade
Belgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, where the Pannonian Plain meets the Balkans. According to official results of Census 2011, the city has a population of 1,639,121. It is one of the 15 largest cities in Europe...
), during the middle of the Fourth Century. Ursacius played an important role during the evolving controversies surrounding the legacies of the Council of Nicaea
Council of Nicaea
Council of Nicaea can refer to:* First Council of Nicaea in AD 325* Second Council of Nicaea in AD 787* The Council of Nicaea * The Council of Nicaea...
and the theologian Arius
Arius
Arius was a Christian presbyter in Alexandria, Egypt of Libyan origins. His teachings about the nature of the Godhead, which emphasized the Father's divinity over the Son , and his opposition to the Athanasian or Trinitarian Christology, made him a controversial figure in the First Council of...
, acting frequently in concert with his fellow Illyrian bishops, Germinius of Sirmium
Germinius of Sirmium
Germinius was bishop of Sirmium and a supporter of Homoian theology, which is often labelled as a form of Arianism. Along with Valens of Mursa and Ursacius of Singidunum he was responsible for drafting the theological statement known as the Blasphemy of Sirmium in 357...
and Valens of Mursa. Found at various times during their episcopal careers staking positions on both sides of the developing theological debate and internal Church politicking, Ursacius and his fellows were seen by contemporaneous and later Church Historical sources to vacillate according to the political winds, being 'always inclined to side with the dominant party.'
Early life
Little is known of Ursacius' early career, but he appears already to have become bishop of Singidunum by 335, in which capacity he formed part of the group of bishops empanelled at the Synod of TyreSynod of Tyre
Synod of Tyre may refer to:* The First Synod of Tyre, in 335, which judged the cause of St. Athanasius* The Second Synod of Tyre, in 449, which dealt with the cause of Ibas, Bishop of Edessa....
to investigate the veracity of accusations of impropriety made against Athanasius of Alexandria
Athanasius of Alexandria
Athanasius of Alexandria [b. ca. – d. 2 May 373] is also given the titles St. Athanasius the Great, St. Athanasius I of Alexandria, St Athanasius the Confessor and St Athanasius the Apostolic. He was the 20th bishop of Alexandria. His long episcopate lasted 45 years Athanasius of Alexandria [b....
. The endorsement by the group of the fabricated charges made against Athanasius is generally attributed to their partisanship for the theology of Arius. The association of Ursacius (and his fellow Illyrian bishops) with Arius is postulated by Wace
Henry Wace
The Very Reverend Henry Wace was Principal of King's College London and Dean of Canterbury...
to have begun during the period of Arius' exile in Illyria in the period immediately after the Council of Nicaea. Ursacius and Valens next appear in 342 at Constantinople
Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
assisting with the consecration of Macedonius
Macedonius I of Constantinople
Macedonius was a Greek bishop of Constantinople from 342 up to 346, and from 351 until 360. He inspired the establishment of the Macedonians, a sect later declared heretical.-Biography:...
as bishop of the metropolis.
On the restoration of Athanasius of Alexandria
Athanasius of Alexandria
Athanasius of Alexandria [b. ca. – d. 2 May 373] is also given the titles St. Athanasius the Great, St. Athanasius I of Alexandria, St Athanasius the Confessor and St Athanasius the Apostolic. He was the 20th bishop of Alexandria. His long episcopate lasted 45 years Athanasius of Alexandria [b....
to his see in 346, Ursacius, along with his confederate Valens, recanted both of their previous hostility to Athanasius and to his Trinitarian theology. Accordingly, they journeyed to Rome, presenting a written recantation to its bishop, Julius
Pope Julius I
Pope Saint Julius I, was pope from February 6, 337 to April 12, 352.He was a native of Rome and was chosen as successor of Mark after the Roman seat had been vacant for four months. He is chiefly known by the part he took in the Arian controversy...
, and wrote to Athanasius, expressing their willingness to hold communion with him in the future.