At this
time The date
of the Council is, however, disputed. Pagi is for 373, Cave
for 367. Hefele and Ceillier are satisfied of the correctness
of 375. cf. D.C.A. i. 813. some short
solace would come to the Catholics in the East in the synodical
letter addressed to the Orientals of the important synod held in
Illyria, under the authority of Valentinian. The letter
which is extant Theod.,
Ecc. Hist. iv. 8. is directed
against the Macedonian heresy. The charge of conveying it to
the East was given to the presbyter Elpidius. Mansi, iii.
386. Hefele, § 90. Valentinian sent with it a letter
to the bishops of Asia in which persecution is forbidden, and the
excuse of submission to the reigning sovereign anticipated and
condemned. Although the letter runs in the names of
Valentinian, Valens, and Gratian, the western brother appears to
condemn the eastern. Theod.,
H.E. iv. 7.