(Originally written February 15, 2006 in Book 25)
The Story of Christianity
Volume I: 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 31 32, 33
21: Ambrose of Milan
373 A.D. Auxentius (the bishop of Milan) dies. Auxentius was an Arian bishop appointed by an Arian emperor. At his death the Arian and Orthodox Christians were on the verge of civil war over the next appointee.
Ambrose was Governor of Milan and had ambitions of rising higher in government positions so he had to defuse this potentially disastrous situation. He attended the election meeting and calmed the crowds. Then the crowd insisted he become bishop. Ambrose refused and attempted to escape the city. When the emperor ruled that Ambrose should be bishop he recanted and took the position. Ambrose was a catechumen at the time so he was baptized then made a priest. He rose from the position of priest to bishop in 8 days because to be a bishop one had to go through the Church hierarchy.
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