THE EPISTLE.

...the martyrs brought the matter to Eleutherius Pope Eleutherius (reigned c. 174–189 AD). The martyrs of Lyon sent him a letter regarding the Montanist heresy to ensure the peace of the Church., so that through his intervention, as he held the highest authority in the Church, peace might be restored to the Asians. Another example of this concord is provided by the Gallic Council, in which Irenaeus, together with many Bishops of the Gauls, is said by Eusebius to have subscribed to the opinion of Pope Victor concerning the celebration of the Easter feast original: "festi Paschalis." This refers to the Quartodeciman controversy, where the timing of Easter was debated; the Gallic bishops mediated between the Roman and Eastern practices.. This same Irenaeus also strongly rose up against Florinus, who was disturbing the Roman Church with a destructive schism. I pass over Reticius, Maternus, and Marinus, Bishops of Gaul, who, sitting with Pope Miltiades in the Roman Council, delivered a single judgment with him against Donatus Donatus Magnus was the leader of a schism in North Africa; the Council of Rome in 313 AD, involving these Gallic bishops, ruled against his faction.. Since, therefore, so many and such great praises of the Gallic Church have been recorded by Eusebius, it should seem a wonder to no one if, in return for such great proclamations of your predecessors, you have striven to return this favor to him: namely, that his Ecclesiastical History might be published under your auspices as corrected and adorned as possible. Since you have chosen me alone out of all men for this matter, I truly profess that I owe much to you on that account, for thinking so honorably of me. I understand, however, how great a burden has been imposed upon me by you: that after three Latin translators, I should come forward as the fourth, and undergo the same risk of reputation as they did. But because it was a sacrilege for me to refuse this desire and command of yours, I most willingly undertook this labor both for your sake and for Eusebius’s sake; and I have digested every trouble in correcting and translating with long-suffering patience. Others indeed, more equipped in both talent and learning, will provide more and better things. I have endeavored to achieve this: that no one might justly or deservedly find my diligence lacking in this work. Whether I have indeed attained this, you, Most Illustrious Prelates, shall judge according to your fairness. For the rest, if I understand that this labor, undertaken and completed by me, has pleased you, I shall thereafter approach the edition of the remaining writers of ecclesiastical history with a readier and more eager spirit, and with your favor, I shall strive to provide the same for them as I have for Eusebius.