Quercus, Synod of

Quercus, Synod Of.

In the year 403 a council was held at a place in the neighborhood of Chalcedon. The spot is designated ἐπὶ δρῦν (to the oak), and the council is therefore known as the Concilium cad Quercum. It was presided over by Paul, bishop of Heraclea. Theophilus of Alexandria here succeeded in effecting the deposition of his archenemy St. John Chrysostom, which was decreed by the thirty-six bishops present, among whom were Acacius of Berea, Severianus of Gabala. in Syria, Antiochus of Ptolemais, and Cyprian of Chaicedon. St. Chrvsostom was cited. but refused to appear, unless Theoplilhis, Acacius. Antiochns, and others of his declared foes withdrew. The emperor Arcadius, yielding to the wish of his wife Eudoxia, who had determined thie ruin of Chrysostom, confirmed the judgment of the council, and banished him to Bithynia However, an earthquake, which occurred on the very day of his departure, terrified the empress to such a degree that he was instantly brought back, and re-entered Constantinople in triumph. SEE CHRYSOSTOM.