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Eusebius of Nicomedia

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Arius, after his condemnation by [[Alexander of Alexandria]], took refuge at Caesarea and asked for and received support from Eusebius, whom Arius noted as a “fellow Lucianist.” Arius had also been a pupil of Lucian. Eusebius, taking the lead, wrote many letters supporting Arius. In response to these letters, Alexander sent letters to many bishops warning them of the [[heresy]] taught by Arius and Eusebius. In backing Arius, Eusebius convened a [[synod|council]] of bishops in his province asking them to support Arius and to influence Alexander to support Arius. This council authorized Arius to return to the [[church]] in Alexandria.
After Constantine defeated Licinius in 323, he turned his attention to the doctrinal dispute within the Church. Constantine tried to achieve an understanding between the parties but found this not possible. Then, following the example of the “general” council at Arles that met to settle the case of the [[Donatism|Donatists]], Constantine summoned a council of the bishops from all his dominions to settle the dispute over Arianism. The council, which became known as the [[First Ecumenical Council]], met in Nicea [[Nicaea]] in 325. At the council Eusebius and his friends put forward an Arian confession of faith. However, it was not well received, with only seventeen supporters among the over three hundred bishops attending the council.
Although resisted strongly by the Arians, a creed was adopted eventually. Eusebius of Nicomedia was among the bishops who signed the [[Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed|Nicene Creed]], although he did not agree to the condemnation of Arius, whom Eusebius considered as having been misrepresented. Eusebius continued to preach the Arian view after the council, to the displeasure of the emperor. As a result several months after the council Constantine exiled Eusebius and Arius, Also, he sent Theognis, Bishop of NiceaNicaea, into exile accusing him of supporting Licinius.
However, by 328, Eusebius, as well as Arius, was back from exile, perhaps through the intervention of Constantia, Licinius' widow. By 329, he was again in the good graces of the emperor. While at the imperial court, Eusebius increased his popularity with the members of the imperial family.
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