During Nectarius' episcopate at Constantinople, the disputes continued with the [[AriansismArianism|Arians]] in its variations. In spite of the decrees of bishops and the emperor, the Arians continued to spread their doctrines. Emperor Theodosius summoned all parties to Constantinople for a great discussion in June 383, hoping to reconcile all differences. Before this he had sent for Nectarius and told him that all questions should be fully debated. Returning home, Nectarius, full of anxiety, consulted the [[Novatian|Novationist]] Bishop Agelis, who felt himself unsuited to arbitrate on such a controversy. However, he did have a reader, Sisinnius, a philosopher and theologian, to whom he referred the argument with the Arians. Sisinnius suggested that they should produce the testimonies of the old Fathers of the Church on the doctrine of the Son, and ask the leaders of the several parties whether they accepted these authorities or desired to anathematize them. Both Abp. Nectarius and emperor Theodosius agreed to his suggestion. When the Bishops met, Theodosius asked whether they respected "...the teachers who lived before the Arian division?" The assembled bishops confirmed that they did. He then asked if they acknowledged, "...them sound and trustworthy witnesses of the true Christian doctrine?". This question, however, produced divisions among the bishops and so the emperor ordered each party to draw up a written confession of his doctrine. When this was done, the Bishops were summoned to the Imperial palace where the emperor received them with kindness and then he retired to his study with their written confessions. After considering them Theodosius rejected and destroyed all except that of the orthodox, because he felt that the others introduced a division into the [[Holy Trinity]].