Jovian died on the 17th of February, 364, and was
succeeded by Valentinian, who in the following March gave over the
Eastern provinces of the Empire to his brother Valens. During the
first two years of the new reign we hear nothing of Cyril: but at
the beginning of the year 366, on the death of his old enemy Acacius,
Cyril assumed the right to nominate his successor in the See of
Cæsarea, and appointed a certain Philumenus Epiphanius,
Hær. 73, § 37.. Whether this assumption of authority
was in accordance with the 7th Canon of Nicæa may be
doubted: Cyril’s choice of his nephew was, however, in
after times abundantly justified by the conduct and character of
Gelasius, who is described by Theodoret as a man “distinguished
by the purity of his doctrine, and the sanctity of his life,” and
is quoted by the same historian as “the admirable,” and
“the blessed Gelasius Hist. Eccl.
V. 8; Dialog. i. iii..”