Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series • VOLUME 4
Athanasius — Select Works and Letters
SECTION 81
10. But these marvellous men, Eusebius and his fellows, to make a show of refuting the truth of the case, and the statements contained in th
10. But these marvellous men, Eusebius and his fellows, to make a show of refuting the truth of the case, and the statements contained in this letter, put forward the name of a Council, and ground its proceedings upon the authority of the Emperor. Hence the attendance of a Count at their meeting, and the soldiers as guards of th…
2,385 wordsSECTION 8217. Now to prove that these things are facts and not mere assertions, we have the testimony [521] of all the Presbyters of the Mareotis [522
17. Now to prove that these things are facts and not mere assertions, we have the testimony [521] of all the Presbyters of the Mareotis [522] , who always accompany the Bishop in his visitations, and who also wrote at the time against Ischyras. But neither those of them who came to Tyre were allowed to declare the truth [523] , …
2,215 wordsSECTION 83[492] Or Theognis; he was, as well as Eusebius, a pupil of Lucian's, and was deposed together with him after the Nicene Council for communic
[492] Or Theognis; he was, as well as Eusebius, a pupil of Lucian's, and was deposed together with him after the Nicene Council for communicating with Arians. [They were not ecclesiastically deposed, but exiled by the Emperor, see Prolegg. ch. ii. §§3 (1) and (2) c, 6 (1).] Constantine banished them to Gaul; they were recalled i…
819 wordsSECTION 84Chapter II.--Letter of Julius to the Eusebians at Antioch.
Chapter II.--Letter of Julius to the Eusebians at Antioch. Eusebius and his fellows wrote also to Julius, and thinking to frighten me, requested him to call a council, and to be himself the judge, if he so pleased [534] . When therefore I went up to Rome, Julius wrote to Eusebius and his fellows as was suitable, and sent moreov…
2,436 wordsSECTION 85But perhaps you were prevented by the time fixed upon for the Council, for you complain in your letter that the interval before the day we a
But perhaps you were prevented by the time fixed upon for the Council, for you complain in your letter that the interval before the day we appointed [552] was too short. But this, beloved, is a mere excuse. Had the day forestalled any when on the journey, the interval allowed would then have been proved to be too short. But when…
2,326 wordsSECTION 8631. I have also thought it necessary to point out to you this circumstance, viz. that Athanasius positively asserted that Macarius was kept
31. I have also thought it necessary to point out to you this circumstance, viz. that Athanasius positively asserted that Macarius was kept at Tyre under a guard of soldiers, while only his accuser accompanied those who went to the Mareotis; and that the Presbyters who desired to attend the inquiry were not permitted to do so, w…
2,208 wordsSECTION 87[535] Vito and Vincentius, Presbyters, had represented Silvester at Nicæa. Liberius sent Vincentius, Bishop, and Marcellus, Bishop, to Const
[535] Vito and Vincentius, Presbyters, had represented Silvester at Nicæa. Liberius sent Vincentius, Bishop, and Marcellus, Bishop, to Constantius; and again Lucifer, Bishop, and Eusebius, Bishop. [The practice was common to all bishops, not peculiar to that of Rome.] S. Basil suggests that Damasus should send legates into the E…
1,522 wordsSECTION 88Chapter III.--Letters of the Council of Sardica to the Churches of Egypt and of Alexandria, and to all Churches.
Chapter III.--Letters of the Council of Sardica to the Churches of Egypt and of Alexandria, and to all Churches. But when, notwithstanding, Eusebius and his fellows proceeded without shame, disturbing the Churches, and plotting the ruin of many, the most religious Emperors Constantius and Constans being informed of this, comman…
2,205 wordsSECTION 89Letter of the Council of Sardica to the Bishops of Egypt and Libya.
Letter of the Council of Sardica to the Bishops of Egypt and Libya. The holy Council, by the grace of God assembled at Sardica, to the Bishops of Egypt and Libya, their fellow-ministers and dearly beloved brethren, sends health in the Lord. 41. We were not ignorant [605] , but the fact was well known to us, even before we rece…
2,444 wordsSECTION 90When they perceived then how matters lay, they were in a strait what course to choose. They were ashamed to confess what they had done, but
When they perceived then how matters lay, they were in a strait what course to choose. They were ashamed to confess what they had done, but were unable to conceal it any longer. They therefore came to the city of Sardica, that by their arrival they might seem to remove suspicion from themselves of such offences. But when they sa…
2,218 wordsSECTION 91[598] Vid. infr. §51, note.
[598] Vid. infr. §51, note. [599] Supr. p. 107, note 9. [600] Vid. supr. §36. infr. §87. [601] Matt. x. 22. [602] Vid. Bingham. Antiqu. V. ii. 5. &c. Gieseler Eccl. Hist. vol. I. p. 242. Bassi. Biblioth. Jur. t. l. p. 276. Bellarm. de C eric. 28. [603] Supr. p. 109. [604] Vid. Encycl. Letter, infr. §46. [605] It will be o…
978 wordsSECTION 92Chapter IV.--Imperial and Ecclesiastical Acts in Consequence of the Decision of the Council of Sardica.
Chapter IV.--Imperial and Ecclesiastical Acts in Consequence of the Decision of the Council of Sardica. 51. When the most religious Emperor Constantius heard of these things, he sent for me, having written privately to his brother Constans of blessed memory, and to me three several times in the following terms. Constantius Vic…
2,228 wordsSECTION 93We cannot give worthy thanks to the God of all, dearly beloved, for the wonderful things which He has done at all times, and especially at t
We cannot give worthy thanks to the God of all, dearly beloved, for the wonderful things which He has done at all times, and especially at this time for your Church, in restoring to you your pastor and lord, and our fellow-minister Athanasius. For who ever hoped that his eyes would see what you are now actually obtaining? Of a t…
1,277 wordsSECTION 94Chapter V.--Documents connected with the charges of the Meletians against S. Athanasius.
Chapter V.--Documents connected with the charges of the Meletians against S. Athanasius. 59. Peter was Bishop among us before the persecution, and during the course of it he suffered martyrdom. When Meletius, who held the title of bishop in Egypt, was convicted of many crimes, and among the rest of offering sacrifice to idols, …
2,239 wordsSECTION 95Letter of Alexander.
65. Notwithstanding this statement of Ischyras, they again spread abroad the same charges against me everywhere, and also reported them to the Emperor Constantine. He too had heard before of the affair of the cup in Psammathia [679] , when I was there, and had detected the falsehood of my enemies. But now he wrote to Antioch to …
2,223 wordsSECTION 96[664] Cf. Orat. i. 2 and notes.
[664] Cf. Orat. i. 2 and notes. [665] Ad. Ep. Æg. §22. supr. §11. [666] [Prolegg. ch. ii. §3 (1) ad fin.] Athan. speaks more openly against this arrangement. infr. §71. [667] [According to the tenses in the original the five months mark the date not of Alexander's death (April 17, 328), but of the renewed Meletian troubles. T…
923 wordsSECTION 97Chapter VI.--Documents connected with the Council of Tyre.
Chapter VI.--Documents connected with the Council of Tyre. 71. Thus ended the conspiracy. The Meletians were repulsed and covered with shame; but notwithstanding this Eusebius and his fellows still did not remain quiet, for it was not for the Meletians but for Arius and his fellows, that they cared, and they were afraid lest, i…
2,343 wordsSECTION 98I, Ingenius Presbyter, pray you health in the Lord, beloved fathers. Theon Presbyter, Ammonas P., Heraclius P., Boccon P., Tryphon P., Peter
I, Ingenius Presbyter, pray you health in the Lord, beloved fathers. Theon Presbyter, Ammonas P., Heraclius P., Boccon P., Tryphon P., Peter P., Hierax P., Sarapion P., Marcus P., Ptollarion P., Gaius P., Dioscorus P., Demetrius P., Thyrsus P. Deacons; Pistus Deacon, Apollos D., Serras D., Pistus D., Polynicus D., Ammonius D., …
2,357 wordsSECTION 99Accordingly the Count Dionysius wrote to Eusebius and his fellows as follows.
Accordingly the Count Dionysius wrote to Eusebius and his fellows as follows. 81. This is what I have already mentioned to my lords, Flacillus [718] and his fellows, that Athanasius has come forward and complained that those very persons have been sent whom he objected to; and crying out that he has been wronged and deceived. A…
2,339 wordsSECTION 100For indeed through my devotion to God, peace is preserved everywhere, and the Name of God is truly worshipped even by the barbarians, who ha
For indeed through my devotion to God, peace is preserved everywhere, and the Name of God is truly worshipped even by the barbarians, who have hitherto been ignorant of the truth. And it is manifest, that he who is ignorant of the truth, does not know God either. Nevertheless, as I said before, even the barbarians have now come …
2,247 wordsSECTION 101[737] Constantinople.
[737] Constantinople. [738] [See Bright, Hist. Writ. p. xii. note 3, and on the date of this letter, Prolegg. ch. v. §3 b, and note 6 below.] [739] June 17. a.d. 337 [see Gwatk. Stud., 136]. [740] epekouse gar haplos. Montfaucon in Onomast. (Athan. t. 2. ad calc.) points out some passages in his author, where epakouein, like …
1,435 wordsSECTION 102Introduction to de Decretis or Defence of the Nicene Definition.
Introduction to de Decretis or Defence of the Nicene Definition. ------------------------ This letter must have been written in the interval between the return of Athanasius in 346 and his flight in 356. Acacius was already (§3) Bishop of Cæsarea 339; Eusebius of Nicomedia is not referred to as though still living (he died 342…
772 wordsSECTION 103Chapter I.--Introduction. The complaint of the Arians against the Nicene Council; their fickleness; they are like Jews; their employment of force instead of reason.
Chapter I.--Introduction. The complaint of the Arians against the Nicene Council; their fickleness; they are like Jews; their employment of force instead of reason. 1. Thou hast done well, in signifying to me the discussion thou hast had with the advocates of Arianism, among whom were certain of the friends of Eusebius, as well…
2,544 wordsSECTION 1044. Are they not then committing a crime, in their very thought to gainsay so great and ecumenical a Council? are they not in transgression,
4. Are they not then committing a crime, in their very thought to gainsay so great and ecumenical a Council? are they not in transgression, when they dare to confront that good definition against Arianism, acknowledged, as it is, by those who had in the first instance taught them irreligion? And supposing, even after subscriptio…
2,640 wordsSECTION 1058. But let us suppose that the other creatures could not endure to be wrought by the absolute Hand of the Unoriginate [792] and therefore th
8. But let us suppose that the other creatures could not endure to be wrought by the absolute Hand of the Unoriginate [792] and therefore the Son alone was brought into being by the Father alone, and other things by the Son as an underworker and assistant, for this is what Asterius the sacrificer [793] has written, and Arius has…
2,228 wordsSECTION 10613. Therefore let them tell us, from what teacher or by what tradition they derived these notions concerning the Saviour? "We have read," th
13. Therefore let them tell us, from what teacher or by what tradition they derived these notions concerning the Saviour? "We have read," they will say, "in the Proverbs, The Lord created me a beginning of His ways unto His works [830] ;'" this Eusebius and his fellows used to insist on [831] , and you write me word, that the pr…
2,203 wordsSECTION 107[812] vid. Eusebius, in his Letter, supr. p. 73 sq.: also Socr. Hist. i. 8. Epiphan. Hær. 69. n. 8 and 15.
[812] vid. Eusebius, in his Letter, supr. p. 73 sq.: also Socr. Hist. i. 8. Epiphan. Hær. 69. n. 8 and 15. [813] One of the characteristic points in Athanasius is his constant attention to the sense of doctrine, or the meaning of writers, in preference to the words used. Thus he scarcely uses the symbol homoousion, one in subst…
2,922 wordsSECTION 108[848] The main argument of the Arians was that our lord was a Son, and therefore was not eternal, but of a substance which had a beginning.
[848] The main argument of the Arians was that our lord was a Son, and therefore was not eternal, but of a substance which had a beginning. [Prolegg. ch. ii. §3 (2) a.] Accordingly Athanasius says, Having argued with them as to the meaning of their own selected term "Son," let us go on to others, which on the very face make for …
2,792 wordsSECTION 10921. Therefore if they, as the others, make an excuse that the terms are strange, let them consider the sense in which the Council so wrote,
21. Therefore if they, as the others, make an excuse that the terms are strange, let them consider the sense in which the Council so wrote, and anathematize what the Council anathematized; and then if they can, let them find fault with the expressions. But I well know that, if they hold the sense of the Council, they will fully …
2,267 wordsSECTION 110[879] Herm. Mand. 1. vid. ad Afr. 5.
[879] Herm. Mand. 1. vid. ad Afr. 5. [880] [Letter 39, and Prolegg. ch. iv. §4.] He calls it elsewhere a most profitable book. Incarn. 3. [881] Athan. here retorts, as it was obvious to do, the charge brought against the Council which gave occasion for this Treatise. If the Council went beyond Scripture in the use of the word …
2,273 wordsSECTION 111Chapter VI.--Authorities in Support of the Council. Theognostus; Dionysius of Alexandria; Dionysius of Rome; Origen.
[917] vid. de Syn. §41. [918] As of the essence' declared that our Lord was uncreate, so one in essence' declared that He was equal with the Father; no term derived from likeness,' even like in essence' answering for this purpose, for such phrases might all be understood of resemblance or representation. vid. §20, notes 8, 9. …
2,216 wordsSECTION 112[924] From Wisdom vii. 25. and so Origen, Periarch. i. 2. n. 5. and 9. and Athan. de Sent. Dionys. 15.
[924] From Wisdom vii. 25. and so Origen, Periarch. i. 2. n. 5. and 9. and Athan. de Sent. Dionys. 15. [925] It is sometimes erroneously supposed that such illustrations as this are intended to explain how the Sacred Mystery in question is possible, whereas they are merely intended to shew that the words we use concerning it ar…
2,606 wordsSECTION 11329. If these are their sentiments they ought to signify their heterodoxy in their own phrases, and not to hide their perverseness under the
29. If these are their sentiments they ought to signify their heterodoxy in their own phrases, and not to hide their perverseness under the cloke of the Unoriginate. But instead of this, the evil-minded men do all things with craftiness like their father, the devil; for as he attempts to deceive in the guise of others, so these …
2,248 wordsSECTION 114[951] Four senses of ageneton are enumerated, Orat. i. §30. 1. What is not as yet, but is possible; 2. what neither has been nor can be; 3.
[951] Four senses of ageneton are enumerated, Orat. i. §30. 1. What is not as yet, but is possible; 2. what neither has been nor can be; 3. what exists, but has not come to be from any cause; 4. what is not made, but is ever. Only two senses are specified in the de Syn. §46. and in these the question really lies; 1. what is, but…
1,061 wordsSECTION 115Introduction to the de Sententia Dionysii.
Introduction to the de Sententia Dionysii. ------------------------ The following tract, like the last, is a letter to a person engaged in discussion with Arians, who were openly finding fault with the Definition of Nicæa, and especially with the word Co-essential (§19). Montfaucon suggests that both epistles were addressed to…
2,242 wordsSECTION 116On the Opinion of Dionysius.
On the Opinion of Dionysius. ------------------------ Letter of Athanasius concerning Dionysius, Bishop of Alexandria, shewing that he too was against the Arian heresy, like the Synod of Nicæa, and that the Arians in vain libel him in claiming him as on their side. 1. The Arian appeal to Dionysius a slander against him. You …
2,415 wordsSECTION 1178. The Apostles spoke of Christ as man, but also as God.
8. The Apostles spoke of Christ as man, but also as God. Well then, such being the imaginations of these men, did the Apostles, since they used the above language, regard Christ as only a man and nothing more? God forbid. The very idea is out of the question. But here too they have acted as wise master-builders and stewards of …
2,287 wordsSECTION 11814. Object and general method of Dionysius in his Refutation and Defence.'
14. Object and general method of Dionysius in his Refutation and Defence.' And the mere fact of Dionysius having made his defence about the matters on which these people harp suffices completely to condemn the Arians, and to demonstrate their malignity. For he wrote, not in angry controversy, but to defend himself on the points…
2,567 wordsSECTION 11921. In what sense Dionysius said that the Son was made.'
21. In what sense Dionysius said that the Son was made.' Of a truth one that hears this is reminded of the divine oracle which says, whithersoever the impious turns, he is destroyed' (Prov. xii. 7, LXX). For lo! turning subtly in each direction these impious men are destroyed, having even here no excuse as touching Dionysius. F…
2,415 wordsSECTION 12027. Conclusion.
27. Conclusion. Dionysius knew this when he wrote. And by his first letters he silenced Sabellius, and in his others he overcame the heresy of Arius. For just as the human attributes of the Saviour overthrew Sabellius, so against the Arian madmen one must use proofs drawn not from the human attributes but from what betokens the…
924 wordsSource & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.