The death of Valens created a two-year hiatus in Eastern Roman imperial religious policy until Theodosius I inaugurated his pro-Nicene program soon after he entered Constantinople in late 380. Historians often view the period 378 to 380 as preparatory to the Nicene victory over Arianism: without imperial support, the Arians gave way to the Nicenes even before Theodosius began his policy.
This view is contradicted by our sources. Contemporary fourth century authors and the fifth century church historians do not substantiate a developing Nicene ascendancy in the East during these years. The writings of the three Cappadocian Fathers evidence continued strife between the Nicenes and the Arians without a foreseeable winner. The church historians Socrates and Sozomen claim that Arians of all sects developed and openly debated their doctrines amid the suspension of imperial religious policy, and Philostorgius reports the aggressive proselytizing of the Neo-Arians during these years. The church historians reveal the often violent resistance that Nicene prelates suffered from Arians, and the difficulties of Gregory of Nazianzus at Constantinople exemplify the opposition that Nicene missionaries endured at this time.
Our sources also show that the Nicenes made little headway in the East during this period. The East-West Nicene accord signed by the Council of Antioch in 379 did not significantly advance the Nicene cause in the East. Internal divisions, especially over the disputed see of Antioch, undermined Nicene efforts against their opponents. The Nicenes also incurred opposition from other homoousions over the Holy Spirit and Apollinarian doctrines.
Only the support of Theodosius enabled the Nicenes to defeat their opponents. The Nicene victory in the East was not inevitable had ordinary competition with non-Nicenes continued without imperial intervention. 
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