Atarbius

Atarbius bishop of Neocaesarea, was apparently a relative of St. Basil (Ep. 210); but there had been a long estrangement between them, and Basil writes to him to resume friendly relations for the sake of the Church (Ep. 61). He does not appear to have responded. Betrayed into Sabellianism, he avoided Basil, who endeavored to hold a personal interview with him upon the subject at Nicopolis. At the Council of Constantinople (A.D. 381) we find him subscribing through Cyril the reader. Although Tillemont makes him an Armenian bishop, there can be but little doubt that his see was Neocsesarea; for

(1) he is so designated in some MSS. of Basil's letters;

(2) his character, etc., entirely agree with those of an unnamed bishop of Neocaesarea (Ep. 204, 207, 210);

⇒See also the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia.

(3) he represents the province of Pontus Polimaniacus. of which Neocaesarea was the metropolis.