Book I

Ecclesiastical History · Sozomen (Salaminius Hermias Sozomenus)

1. The Preface of the Book, in which he investigates the History of the Jewish Nation; Mention of those who began such a Work; how and from what Sources he collected his History; how he was intent upon the Truth, and what other Details the History will contain.
2. Of the Bishops of the Large Towns in the Reign of Constantine; and how, from fear of Licinius, Christianity was professed cautiously in the East as far as Libya, while in the West, through the Favor of Constantine, it was professed with Freedom.
3. By the Vision of the Cross, and by the Appearance of Christ, Constantine is led to embrace Christianity.--He receives Religious Instruction from our Brethren.
4. Constantine commands the Sign of the Cross to be carried before him in Battle; an Extraordinary Narrative about the Bearers of the Sign of the Cross.
5. Refutation of the Assertion that Constantine became a Christian in consequence of the Murder of his son Crispus.
6. The Father of Constantine allows the Name of Christ to be Extended; Constantine the Great prepared it to Penetrate Everywhere.
7. Concerning the Dispute between Constantine and Licinius his Brother-In-Law about the Christians, and how Licinius was conquered by Force and put to Death.
8. List of the Benefits which Constantine conferred in the Freedom of the Christians and Building of Churches; and other Deeds for the Public Welfare.
9. Constantine enacts a Law in favor of Celibates and of the Clergy.
10. Concerning the Great Confessors who survived.
11. Account of St. Spyridon: His Modesty and Steadfastness.
12. On the Organization of the Monks: its Origin and Founders.
13. About Antony the Great and St. Paul the Simple.
14. Account of St. Ammon and Eutychius of Olympus.
15. The Arian Heresy, its Origin, its Progress, and the Contention which it occasioned among the Bishops.
16. Constantine, having heard of the Strife of the Bishops, and the Difference of Opinion concerning the Passover, is greatly troubled and sends Hosius, a Spaniard, Bishop of Cordova, to Alexandria, to abolish the Dissension among the Bishops, and to settle the Dispute about the Passover.
17. Of the Council convened at Nicæa on Account of Arius.
18. Two Philosophers are converted to the Faith by the Simplicity of Two Old Men with whom they hold a Disputation.
19. When the Council was assembled, the Emperor delivered a Public Address.
20. After having given Audience to both Parties, the Emperor condemned the Followers of Arius and banished them.
21. What the Council determined about Arius; the Condemnation of his Followers; his Writings are to be burnt; certain of the High Priests differ from the Council; the Settlement of the Passover.
22. Acesius, Bishop of the Novatians, is summoned by the Emperor to be present at the First Council.
23. Canons appointed by the Council; Paphnutius, a certain Confessor, restrains the Council from forming a Canon enjoining Celibacy to all who were about to be honored with the Priesthood.
24. Concerning Melitius; the Excellent Directions made by the Holy Council in his Complications.
25. The Emperor prepared a Public Table for the Synod, after inviting its Members to Constantinople, and honoring them with Gifts, he exhorted all to be of One Mind, and forwarded to Alexandria and every other place the Decrees of the Holy Synod.