从阿里乌派领袖优西比乌的地位起伏看君士坦丁大帝的宗教政策

Fall and Rise of the Arian Leader Eusebius and Constantine the Great's Religious Policy

阿里乌派领袖尼科米底亚的优西比乌是君士坦丁一世身边有着重要影响力的人物。由于带有通敌嫌疑和在神学问题上的不妥协,优西比乌曾一度遭到君士坦丁的放逐。此后形势出现了逆转。一方面,尼西亚正统派的强硬态度威胁到君士坦丁的王权决策,另一方面,教会普遍担心狂热的尼西亚派已经走向撒伯里乌主义。此时的优西比乌开始改用柔顺的变通策略,于是便具有了与君士坦丁合作的基础。在政治因素和宗教因素的共同作用下,优西比乌在结束放逐重新回到教会后,受到君士坦丁的重用,并在这位皇帝弥留之际为其施洗。在优西比乌地位转变的过程中,君士坦丁借助神学争端,利用王权协调矛盾以达到制衡各方的目的,这集中体现了他带有明显政治功利性的宗教政策的本质。

Eusebius as the Arian leader was bishop of Nicomedia and exerted a strong influence upon Constantine the Great. He was exiled by Constantine because of the closeness with Constantine's political enemy and his refusal to compromise in theological issues. Later Eusebius resorted to a flexible strategy,thus laying the foundation for cooperation with Constantine. The Orthodox Nicene party's flat refusal to come to terms with the Arians posed a threat to the application of Constantine's royal power and there was spreading in the Church a fear that the frenzy Nicene party had already moved towards Sabellianism. Besides,the Arians regained power in Antioch. Eusebius seized the opportunity to advocate Arianism,and the Nicene party was dealt a heavy blow. Due to the political and religious factors,Eusebius was recalled from exile and returned to Nicomedia.He resumed his influence and increasingly won the favors from Constantine,even conducting baptism for Constantine on his deathbed. In the transitional process of Eusebius' fall and rise,Constantine tried to use his power to keep the religious forces under control and to put the theological disputes to an end by means of councils,which reflected the political utilitarianism in his religious policy.