Page:Early Christianity in Arabia.djvu/132

120 In the reigns of Zeno and Anastasius, the Monophysites had themselves separated into several sects and parties. Anastasius is accused of being himself a Jacobite, and of being instigated by Xenaias of Mabug or Hierapolis, to the persecution of those bishops who were most zealous for the doctrines of the synod of Chalcedon. Euthemius and his successor Macedonius were banished from the see of Constantinople for their opinions. A similar charge was formed against Flavian, bishop of Antioch, and a number of Syrian monks were assembled there to demand his abjuration of the doctrine of the two natures. But the zeal of the people of Antioch in defence of their pastor, afforded a more convenient pretence for his persecution; they rose against the Syrian monks, many of whom were slain or drowned in the Orontes whilst endeavouring to make their escape, and Flavian was accused of sedition, and banished to Petra. Severus, a zealous Monophysite, was called from his monastery at Gaza, raised to the chair of Flavian, ascended the pulpit of Antioch, and pronounced a general anathema against those who acknowledged two natures in Christ.