Vicar of
Pontus. It is doubtful whether he is the same Demosthenes who
was at Cæsarea with Valens in 371, of whom the amusing story is
told in Theodoret Hist. Ecc. iv. 16, on which see
note. If he is, it is not difficult to understand his looking
with no friendly eye on Basil and his brother Gregory. He
summoned a synod to Ancyra in the close of 375 to examine into
alleged irregularities in Gregory’s consecration and
accusations of embezzlement. The above letter is to apologize
for Gregory’s failing to put in an appearance at Ancyra, and
to rebut the charges made against him. Tillemont would refer
Letter xxxiii. to this period. Maran Vit.
Bas. xii. 5 connects it with the troubles following on the death
of Cæsarius in 369.