THEOPHILUS, bishop of CASTABALA. — Previously bishop of Eleutheropolis in Palestine before 360, he was transferred to Castabala in Cilicia through the efforts of Silvanus of Tarsus (Sozomen, Hist. eccl., IV, 24).
An adherent of the Homoiousian doctrine, in 363 he subscribed, together with others, to a letter to the Emperor Jovian in which the confirmation of the decisions of Seleucia, the condemnation of the Anomeans, and the convocation of a new council were requested (Socrates, Hist. eccl., III, 25). In 365 he was part of the legation sent to Pope Liberius; in Rome he subscribed to the Nicene faith and condemned the Homoian formula of Rimini. Returning to the East, he took part in the Council of Tyana, at which the conduct of the legates was approved and communion with the West was restored. In 373, adhering to Eustathius of Sebaste, he participated in the bitter controversy against St. Basil; later, however, the Saint wrote him a letter assuring him that he had forgiven the injuries done to him and that he still cared for his communion. Died after 376.