The Orthodox party prevailed; in 337 Paul was elected and consecrated by bishops who happened to be at Constantinople in the Church of Peace, close to what was afterwards the Hagia Sophia.

He summoned a synod of Arian bishops, declared Paul I quite unfit for the bishopric, banished him, and transported Eusebius of Nicomedia to Constantinople.

Paul I, seeing himself rendered useless to his flock, while Arianism reigned in the East under the protection of Constantius II, took shelter in the West, in the dominions of Constans.

Athanasius and Paul I recovered their sees; the Eastern bishops replied to Pope Julius I altogether declining to act on his advice.

They met him, however, on their knees with tears and entreaties, and he contented himself with depriving them of half their allowance of corn but ordered Paul I to be driven from the city.

Constantius II, in Antioch, ordered Philippus, prefect of the East, to once more expel Paul I and to put Macedonius I of Constantinople in his place.

When Paul I arrived, he showed him the emperor's letter and ordered him to be quietly taken through the palace to the waterside, placed on board ship, and carried off to Thessalonica, his native town.