It is uncertain to what year the following Oration belongs.  It was, however, certainly delivered at Constantinople; the Benedictine Editors think in the year 381, in which case the day would be May 16.  An indication tending to establish this date is found in c. 14, in the expression of apprehension of personal danger to himself for his boldness in setting forth the true faith.  In fact, in the earlier part of this year, after the Emperor Theodosius had put him in possession of the Patriarchal Throne, vacant by the expulsion and deposition of the Arian Demophilus, he had narrowly escaped assassination at the hands of the Arians.