Flavianus of Constantinople
Flavianus Of Constantinople was chosen bishop of that city, as successor to Proclus, A.D. 446 or 447. The emperor Theodosius was set against him from the beginning of his episcopate. Eutyches and his friends were very strong at court, but at a Home Synod at which Flavian presided (A.D. 448) at Constantinople, Eusebius of Dorylseum presented a formal complaint against Eutyches. Flavian, knowing the danger of attacking persons so powerful in court influence, at first sought to quiet the matter; but, as Eutyches was stubborn, the trial was had, and ended in his condemnation for heresy. The emperor was greatly offended, and, under the advice of Dioscurus, summoned a council at Ephesus (the Robber Council), at which Dioscurus presided, and where the most violent courses were pursued. Flavian was not only deposed, but so brutally beaten by the Egyptian attendants of Dioscurus that he died three days after (A.D. 449). The Council of Chalcedon named him martyr, and his name is to be found in the Roman martyrology, Feb. 18. See Evagrius, Hist. Eccl. i, 8; Neander, Church History, ii, 506 sq.; and arts. SEE EUTYCHES; SEE EUTYCHIANISM; SEE EPHESUS, ROBBER COUNCIL OF; SEE EUSEBIUS OF DORYLLESM.