Page "Antipope Laurentius" Paragraph 4

However, Laurentius ' supporters sustained the schism.

Led by Festus, a group of clerics and senators laid charges against Symmachus in an attempt to secure his deposition ; king Theodoric summoned Symmachus to Ariminum answer these charges.

But having gone to Ariminum, Symmachus fled the city in the middle of the night, returning to Rome where he took refuge in St. Peter's.

His flight proved to be a major mistake, for it was widely seen as an admission of guilt.

Many of the clergy withdrew from communion with Symmachus, and entered into communion with Laurentius.