strength of it, an attempt was made to fasten a charge of heresy on Chrysostom. But the synod which was to consider the matter could not be safely held in the city, and it was summoned to meet in one of the suburbs of Chalcedon. Strangely enough, one of the charges against Chrysostom was inhospitality, although it was notorious that he had dispensed great sums out of his episcopal revenues in charity. A writer of the time, quoted by Gibbon in a note, explains, by way of defence, that Chrysostom never tasted wine, that he often fasted till sunset, that he disliked the bustle and levity of great dinners, and saved the expense for the relief of the poor. But, notwithstanding the bishop's undoubted piety, notwithstanding his wonderful popularity, he was deposed from his see for contumacy, to be, however, recalled within four months by the empress, who is said to have been terrified by an earthquake, which the public voice pronounced a sure sign of Divine wrath. A riot, too, had broken out; a furious mob had threatened the palace, and Eudoxia herself insisted that he should be restored. We see what strength the Church must have already acquired among the masses of the people. It is true, indeed, that he was again banished, and banished finally, through the influence of the empress, whom he exasperated by condemning the honours paid to one of her statues. It was said by his enemies that he began a sermon with the words, "Herodias again rages; once more she dances; once again she requires the head of John." On this occasion the previous sentence of deposition was confirmed at the instigation of the incensed
