Eusebius

Eusebius of Nicomedia, Patriarch of Constantinople, related to the Emperor Julian by the mother's side, was appointed Bishop of Beryta (Beyrouth) in Syria, and afterwards of Nicomedia. He appeared as the defender of Arius at the Council of Nice, and afterwards placed himself at the head of the Arian party. He baptised the Emperor Constantine in 337, became Patriarch of Constantinople in 339, and died in 342. His enemies are our only sources of information as regards his character and opinions; yet, making the ordinary allowance for partisanship, there would seem to be sufficient reason for concluding that Eusebius was cunning and double-tongued when occasion required, and imperious and violent when he had power in his hands. Athanasius considered him not the disciple, but rather the teacher of Arius. See ARIUS.