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The Acts of the Council of Arles (Acta Concilii Arletansis) mentions the
presence of five churchmen from the British Isles:
Eborius, civitate Eboricensi, Bishop Eborius, from York
Restitutus, civitate Londenensi, Bishop Restitutus, from London
Adelfius, civitate Colonia Londinensium, Bishop Adelfius, from either
Lincoln or Colchester
Sacerdus presbyter, Sacerdus the priest
Arminius diaconus, Arminius the deacon
The Council of Arles was called in 314 by the Emperor to discuss the
Donatist Heresy, and ways of combating it. There are two points to take from
this council in relation to the Church in Roman Britain :
1) The Church must have been well established in Britain before the
conversion of Constantine at Milvian Bridge in 313.
2) British Clergy met their continental colleagues on equal terms, at the
direct command of the emperor himself. The church in Britain was taken as
seriously as that of any other part of the Empire. It had a voice which, if
not distinctive, was at least worthy of attention.
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