How Ulfilas became an Arian Bishop? Contribution (I) to the Christian Prosopography of the Dioecesis Thraciarum

Abstract

This paper sheds light on the historical importance taken by Ulfilas, not only among the Tervingi as their bishop, but also as an agent of the Empire, in the context of the initial development of the Constantinopolitan Patriar­chate. His role will be shown by analysing the following events: (1) Ulfilas’ first visit to Constantinople and his consecration as a bishop by Eusebius of Nico­media, (2) Ulfilas’ participation in the Council of Constantinople in 360, and (3) his third visit to Constantinople, in 381, while the Second Ecumenical Council was held. The key to the understanding of Ulfilas’ allegiance to Arianism seems to be closely con­nect­ed with the rise of Constantinople to the top of the Eastern ecclesiastical hierarchy.