Arsenius, Bishop of Ypseli

ARSENIO bishop of YPSELÈ. - In the fourth century he was bishop of this city in Egypt, on the western bank of the Nile, near Lycopolis; and he is known only for the role which the head of the Meletians, ARCA (v.), induced him to play in the campaign against s. Atanasio. A. was made to hide in a monastery of the Thebaid at Ptemencyris, and once he had disappeared, the Meletians accused Atanasio of having killed him. The matter was brought before Costantino, who entrusted his brother, the Caesar Delmazio, with conducting an inquiry. S. Atanasio thought of defending himself and, through one of his deacons sent in search of A., uncovered the deception. The superior of the monastery, Pinnes, brought before the judge, had to confess that A. was alive. The following year the rumour of A.'s murder began to circulate again; but he, having meanwhile fled from Ptemencyris towards Lower Egypt, unaware of what had happened, appeared at Tiro during the synod. Once discovered, he asked Atanasio's forgiveness, promising obedience to the Church over which he presided; a promise which he kept.