St. Arsacius (Vulg. Ursacius)
St. Arsacius (Vulg. Ursacius) [1]
Arsacius (Vulg. Ursacius), St.
was a solitary of Bithynia, by nation a Persian, who suffered much for the faith under Licinius, A.D. 320, after which he shut himself up in a tower in Nicomedia, where he was distinguished by the gifts of miracles and prophecy, according to Sozomen (iv, 16). He is said to have been divinely forewarned of the coming destruction of the city of Nicomedia by an earthquake, which happened Aug. 24, 358; before which, according to his own desire, he is said to have died in his tower, and while on his knees at prayer. The Roman martyrology marks his festival on Aug. 16 See Ruinart, p. 522; Baillet, Aug. 16.,
Arsacius was the intruding archbishop OF CONSTANTINOPLE, after the violent expulsion of Chrysostom, A.D. 404, under whom he had served as archpresbyter. Eudoxia and Theophilus, having succeeded in their designs against Chrysostom, found in Arsacius, who had passed his eightieth year, a facile tool. He was consecrated June 27, 404. Notwithstanding the- influence of the court party, it was soon shown that the diocese considered him an intruder. The people of Constantinople refused to worship with him, but gathered in the outskirts of the city. The whole Western episcopate refused to acknowledge him, and pope Innocent strongly condemned his intrusion. His episcopate was short, for he died November 11, 405.
