HOSIUS (ho'shi-us) OF CORDOVA, churchman of the 3d century: b. about 257; d. about 358. Sources concerning his life are limited to two letters, one to Emperor Constantine and one to Julius of Rome, and to allusions by contemporaries. He was probably made bishop about 295, holding the office until his death. He held steadfast in his faith, and was not shaken by the secutions under Maximian. It is not tain what part he played at the Synod of Elvira which he attended. For many years, Hosius was the intimate counsellor of Constantine in ecclesiastical matters, and was sent by him to Alexandria in 324 to settle the disagreements between the bishop there and Arius, and also concerning the celebration of the Easter days. Subsequently, Hosius attended the cil of Niciea, at which he exerted great ence, though probably not in any official ity. There is no doubt that Constantine's nature to the decrees of the council was gained by his religious adviser. The next record of Hosius finds him at the Council of Sardica (343), where, with Athanasius, he formulated the creed of the council. About 10 years later
he was invited by the bishops of the court party to join them in condemning Athanasius. This the loyal Hosius refused to do, and accordingly lost prestige in the favor of Constantine. When he refused for the third time to conform to the Arian creed, he was summoned by the peror to Sirmium, where he was kept cally prisoner for a year, and was finally forced against his will to sign a compromise document formulated by Arian adherents. His signature was widely advertised, and his so-called version to Arianism used as a weighty ment by the king's party. After this he was suffered to return to his office at Cordova. His letters are published in Migne, 'Patrologia ina' (Vol. VIII). Consult Gams, P. B, arid (Kirchengeschichte von (Vols. II a III, Regensburg 1864-79).