Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series • VOLUME 4
Athanasius — Select Works and Letters
SECTION 241
[3491] The Meletian schismatics of Egypt had formed an alliance with the Arians from the first. Cf. Ep. Æg. 22. vid. also Hist. Arian. 31, 7
[3491] The Meletian schismatics of Egypt had formed an alliance with the Arians from the first. Cf. Ep. Æg. 22. vid. also Hist. Arian. 31, 78. After Sardica the Arians attempted a coalition with the Donatists of Africa. Aug. contr. Cresc. iii. 38. [3492] Acacius had written to the Semi-Arian Macedonius of Constantinople in favo…
2,335 wordsSECTION 242For the Blessed Paul said not that he preached Christ, His, that is, God's, own Power' or Wisdom,' but without the article, God's Power and
For the Blessed Paul said not that he preached Christ, His, that is, God's, own Power' or Wisdom,' but without the article, God's Power and God's Wisdom' (1 Cor. i. 24), preaching that the own power of God Himself was distinct, which was con-natural and co-existent with Him unoriginately, generative indeed of Christ, creative of…
2,226 wordsSECTION 24325. Ninety Bishops met at the Dedication under the Consulate of Marcellinus and Probinus, in the 14th of the Indiction [3542] , Constantius
25. Ninety Bishops met at the Dedication under the Consulate of Marcellinus and Probinus, in the 14th of the Indiction [3542] , Constantius the most irreligious being present. Having thus conducted matters at Antioch at the Dedication, thinking that their composition was deficient still, and fluctuating moreover in their own opi…
2,294 wordsSECTION 244And in the Holy Ghost, that is, the Paraclete; which, having promised to the Apostles to send forth after His ascension into heaven, to teac
And in the Holy Ghost, that is, the Paraclete; which, having promised to the Apostles to send forth after His ascension into heaven, to teach and to remind them of all things, He did send; through whom also are sanctified the souls of those who sincerely believe in Him. (1.) But those who say that the Son was from nothing or fr…
2,309 wordsSECTION 245And in the Holy Ghost, whom the Only-begotten Son of God Himself, Christ, our Lord and God, promised to send to the race of man, as Paraclet
And in the Holy Ghost, whom the Only-begotten Son of God Himself, Christ, our Lord and God, promised to send to the race of man, as Paraclete, as it is written, the Spirit of truth' (Joh. xvi. 13), which He sent unto them when He had ascended into the heavens. But the name of Essence,' which was set down by the Fathers in simpl…
2,250 wordsSECTION 246[3532] On aparallaktos eikon kat' ousian, which was synonymous with homoiousios, vid. infr. §38. supr. p. 163, note 9. It was in order to se
[3532] On aparallaktos eikon kat' ousian, which was synonymous with homoiousios, vid. infr. §38. supr. p. 163, note 9. It was in order to secure the true sense of aparallakton that the Council adopted the word homoousion 'Aparallakton is accordingly used as a familiar word by Athan. de Decr. §§20, 24. Orat. iii. §36. contr. Gent…
2,418 wordsSECTION 247[3575] §26, n. 7.
[3575] §26, n. 7. [3576] Orat. iv. §13. [3577] §26, n. 4. [3578] §26 (2) n. (2). [3579] The 12th and 13th Anathemas are intended to meet the charge which is alluded to §26 (6), note 2, that Arianism involved the doctrine that our Lord's divine nature suffered. [But see Gwatkin, p. 147.] Athanasius brings this accusation agai…
2,790 wordsSECTION 24836. The Council, then, comprehending this [3613] , and aware of the different senses of the same word, that none should suppose, that the So
36. The Council, then, comprehending this [3613] , and aware of the different senses of the same word, that none should suppose, that the Son was said to be from God' like the creation, wrote with greater explicitness, that the Son was from the essence.' For this betokens the true genuineness of the Son towards the Father; where…
2,565 wordsSECTION 24942. Accordingly, as in saying offspring,' we have no human thoughts, and, though we know God to be a Father, we entertain no material ideas
42. Accordingly, as in saying offspring,' we have no human thoughts, and, though we know God to be a Father, we entertain no material ideas concerning Him, but while we listen to these illustrations and terms, we think suitably of God, for He is not as man, so in like manner, when we hear of coessential,' we ought to transcend a…
2,455 wordsSECTION 25048. Such then, as we confess and believe, being the sense of the Fathers, proceed we even in their company to examine once more the matter,
48. Such then, as we confess and believe, being the sense of the Fathers, proceed we even in their company to examine once more the matter, calmly and with a kindly sympathy, with reference to what has been said before, viz. whether the Bishops collected at Nicæa do not really prove to have thought aright. For if the Word be a w…
2,533 wordsSECTION 25153. Even this is sufficient to dissuade you from blaming those who have said that the Son was coessential with the Father, and yet let us ex
53. Even this is sufficient to dissuade you from blaming those who have said that the Son was coessential with the Father, and yet let us examine the very term Coessential,' in itself, by way of seeing whether we ought to use it at all, and whether it be a proper term, and is suitable to apply to the Son. For you know yourselves…
2,238 wordsSECTION 252[3637] §49.
[3637] §49. [3638] ten tes homoioseos henoteta: and so pp. 163, note 9, 165, 166. And Basil. tautoteta tes phuseos, Ep. 8. 3: [but] tautoteta tes ousias, Cyril in Joan. lib. iii. c. v. p. 302. [cf. tautoousion, p. 315, note 6.] It is uniformly asserted by the Catholics that the Father's godhead, theotes, is the Son's; e.g. infr…
1,630 wordsSECTION 253Introduction to Tomus Ad Antiochenos.
Introduction to Tomus Ad Antiochenos. ------------------------ The word tome' (tomos) means either a section, or, in the case of such a document as that before us, a concise statement. It is commonly applied to synodical letters (cf. the Tome' of Leo, a.d. 450, to Flavian). Upon the accession of Julian (November, 361) the Hom…
2,214 wordsSECTION 2544. The parties at Antioch to unite.
4. The parties at Antioch to unite. But that we, and they who have ever remained in communion with us, hold this faith, we think no one of yourselves nor any one else is ignorant. But since we rejoice with all those who desire re-union, but especially with those that assemble in the Old [church], and as we glorify the Lord exce…
2,241 wordsSECTION 255[3674] Eusebius of Vercellæ, exiled (Hist. Ar. 33; Ap. Fug. 4) after Milan 355. See D.C.B. ii. 374 (93).
[3674] Eusebius of Vercellæ, exiled (Hist. Ar. 33; Ap. Fug. 4) after Milan 355. See D.C.B. ii. 374 (93). [3675] Lucifer of Calaris: cf. Letters 50, 51, below, and Hist. Ar. 33; Apol. Fug. 4. [3676] The following are all the details that can be collected with regard to the bishops named in the text. Asterius (Hist. Ar. 18 note)…
2,039 wordsSECTION 256Introduction to Ad Afros Epistola Synodica.
Introduction to Ad Afros Epistola Synodica. ------------------------ (Written About 369.) The synodical letter which follows was written after the accession of Damasus to the Roman see (366). Whether it was written before any Western synod had formally condemned Auxentius of Milan (see Letter 59. 1) may be doubted: the compla…
841 wordsSECTION 257Letter of Ninety Bishops of Egypt and Libya, including Athanasius.
Letter of Ninety Bishops of Egypt and Libya, including Athanasius. ------------------------ 1. Pre-Eminence of the Council of Nicæa. Efforts to exalt that of Ariminum at its expense. The letters are sufficient which were written by our beloved fellow-minister Damasus, bishop of the Great Rome, and the large number of bishops …
2,320 wordsSECTION 2586. The Nicene test not unscriptural in sense, nor a novelty.
6. The Nicene test not unscriptural in sense, nor a novelty. Such was the corrupt mind of the Arians. But here too the Bishops, beholding their craftiness, collected from the Scriptures the figures of brightness, of the river and the well, and of the relation of the express Image to the Subsistence, and the texts, in thy light …
2,297 wordsSECTION 259Letters of Athanasius,
[3714] Prov. xxii. 28. [3715] Ex. xxi. 17. [3716] Matt. xv. 13. [3717] 1 Pet. i. 25. [3718] ii. 13. [3719] Hos. viii. 7, LXX. [3720] Eudoxius was at Seleucia, not at Ariminum. [3721] See note on §10 infr. [3722] Bishop of Beroea in Macedonia Tertia, and from 370-380 successor of Eudoxius as Arian bishop of CP. [3723] Th…
2,263 wordsSECTION 260It remains to notice shortly the two digressions on the doings of Eudoxius and the Anomoeans (§§2, 12 of Migne, paragraphs II, IX of Galland
It remains to notice shortly the two digressions on the doings of Eudoxius and the Anomoeans (§§2, 12 of Migne, paragraphs II, IX of Gallandi). Here the annalist is off his own ground, and evidently less well informed. In §2 we learn nothing of interest: but the Ecthesis' of the Anomoeans in par. IX is of importance, and only to…
2,237 wordsSECTION 261Exposition of Patricius [3801] and Aetius, who communicated with Eunomius, Heliodorus, and Stephen.
Exposition of Patricius [3801] and Aetius, who communicated with Eunomius, Heliodorus, and Stephen. These are the attributes of God, Unbegotten, without origin, Eternal, not to be commanded, Immutable, All-seeing, Infinite, Incomparable, Almighty, knowing the future without foresight; without beginning [3802] . These do not bel…
2,200 wordsSECTION 262[3808] i.e. July 11, 335, to Nov. 23, 337, see above, p. 496.
[3808] i.e. July 11, 335, to Nov. 23, 337, see above, p. 496. [3809] Migne xi. (misprint). [3810] The following 14 words are left out by an error in Sievers. [3811] A short distance east of Alexandria, see Dict. Gr. and Rom. Geog. s.v. B.--The Festal Letters, and Their Index, Or Chronicon Athanasianum. --------------------…
2,200 wordsSECTION 263XVIII
VII Id. April 7 April 17 1 1 F 7 12 VII 51 335 4 Pharm. III Kal. April 30 March 20 12 2 E 8 13 VIII 52 336 23 Pharm. XIV Kal. Mai 18 April 20 23 4 C 9 14 IX 53 337 8 Pharm. III Non. April 3 April 16 4 5 B 10 15 X 54 338 30 Pham^th. VII Kal. April 26 March 18½ 15 6 A 11 16 XI 55…
2,225 wordsSECTION 264XVI. (343-4.) In this year, Easter-day was on xx Pharmuthi; xix Moon; xvii Kal. Mai; Epact xxi; Gods, vi[i], Coss. Leontius, Sallustius; the
XVI. (343-4.) In this year, Easter-day was on xx Pharmuthi; xix Moon; xvii Kal. Mai; Epact xxi; Gods, vi[i], Coss. Leontius, Sallustius; the governor Palladius, of Italy, Præfect of Egypt; Indict. ii. Being at Naissus on his return from the Synod, he there celebrated Easter [3853] . Of this Easter-day he gave notice in few words…
2,210 wordsSECTION 265Letter I.--For 329. Easter-day xi Pharmuthi; viii Id. April; Ær. Dioclet. 45; Coss. Constantinus Aug. VIII. Constantinus Cæs. IV; Præfect. Septimius Zenius; Indict. II.
The end of the heads of the Festal Letters of holy Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria. [3823] The Gods' correspond to the Concurrentes,' i.e. to the days of the week upon which Mar. 24 occurs in the year in question. (See Table, and Ideler, 2. 261), and so to the Sunday letters,' which follow the gods' in inverse order, a' corres…
2,251 wordsSECTION 2665. Behold, my brethren, how much a fast can do, and in what manner the law commands us to fast. It is required that not only with the body s
5. Behold, my brethren, how much a fast can do, and in what manner the law commands us to fast. It is required that not only with the body should we fast, but with the soul. Now the soul is humbled when it does not follow wicked opinions, but feeds on becoming virtues. For virtues and vices are the food of the soul, and it can e…
2,215 wordsSECTION 267Letter II.--For 330. Easter-day xxiv Pharmuthi; xiii Kal. Mai; Æra Dioclet. 46; Coss. Gallicianus, Valerius Symmachus; Præfect, Magninianus; Indict. iii.
[3928] Ps. xlii. 4. [3929] 1 Cor. ii. 9; Is. lxiv. 4. Letter II.--For 330. Easter-day xxiv Pharmuthi; xiii Kal. Mai; Æra Dioclet. 46; Coss. Gallicianus, Valerius Symmachus; Præfect, Magninianus; Indict. iii. Again, my brethren, is Easter come and gladness; again the Lord hath brought us to this season; so that when, according…
2,306 wordsSECTION 268Letter III.--For 331. Easter-day xvi Pharmuthi; iii Id. April; Æra Dioclet. 47; Coss. Annius Bassus, Ablabius; Præfect, Florentius; Indict. iv.
The brethren which are with me salute you. Salute one another with a holy kiss [3974] . Here endeth the second Festal Letter of the holy lord Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria. [3930] 1 Cor. iv. 16. [3931] 1 Tim. ii. 7. Cf. Letter iii. [3932] Prov. iv. 1. [3933] Rom. ii. 21. [3934] Mat. xxv. 21. [3935] We have here the fir…
2,746 wordsSECTION 269Letter IV.--For 332. Easter-day vii Pharmuthi [4023] , iv Non. Apr.; Æra Dioclet. 48; Coss. Fabius Pacatianus, Mæcilius Hilarianus; Præfect, Hyginus [4024] ; Indict. v.
6. The beginning of the fast of forty days is on the fifth of Phamenoth (Mar. 1); and when, as I have said, we have first been purified and prepared by those days, we begin the holy week of the great Easter on the tenth of Pharmuthi (Apr. 5), in which, my beloved brethren, we should use more prolonged prayers, and fastings, and …
2,205 wordsSECTION 270Letter V.--For 333. Easter-day [4050] , Coss. Dalmatius and Zenophilus; Præfect, Paternus [4051] ; vi Indict.; xvii Kal. Maii, xx Pharmuthi; xv Moon; vii Gods; Æra Dioclet. 49.
[4035] Matt. xxvi. 28. [4036] Luke x. 19, Vit. Ant. 30. [4037] John xiv. 6. [4038] Ps. xcvii. 1; cxxxvii. 1. [4039] Ib. lxxvi. 1; xix. 4. [4040] Cf. Rom. xiii. 14. [4041] Cf. Letter i. (beginning) [4042] sun te alethei& 139;. I understand this as referring to Christ. Vid. John xiv. 6. [4043] Matt. xxvi. 17. [4044] Mal. …
2,209 wordsSECTION 271[4051] The Syriac seems to represent Paterius,' not Paternus' as Larsow writes it. A former præfect of Egypt was called Paterius, according
[4051] The Syriac seems to represent Paterius,' not Paternus' as Larsow writes it. A former præfect of Egypt was called Paterius, according to Gelas. Cyz. in Hard. Conc. i. 459. [4052] Cf. Rev. iii. 14, c. Apoll. i. 20. [4053] John vii. 37. The Syriac is rather obscure here. [4054] Vid. note 2, to Letter 1. [4055] Ps. i. 1, …
2,253 wordsSECTION 2728. For thus the patriarch Abraham rejoiced not to see his own day, but that of the Lord; and thus looking forward he saw it, and was glad [4
8. For thus the patriarch Abraham rejoiced not to see his own day, but that of the Lord; and thus looking forward he saw it, and was glad [4105] .' And when he was tried, by faith he offered up Isaac, and sacrificed his only-begotten son--he who had received the promises. And, in offering his son, he worshipped the Son of God. A…
2,221 wordsSECTION 2732. When by such faith and knowledge the saints have embraced this true life, they receive, doubtless, the joy which is in heaven; for which
2. When by such faith and knowledge the saints have embraced this true life, they receive, doubtless, the joy which is in heaven; for which the wicked not caring, are deservedly deprived of the blessedness arising from it. For, let the wicked be taken away, so that he shall not see the glory of the Lord [4137] .' For although, w…
2,237 wordsSECTION 2748. For the righteous man, being nurtured in faith and knowledge, and the observance of divine precepts, has his soul always in health. Where
8. For the righteous man, being nurtured in faith and knowledge, and the observance of divine precepts, has his soul always in health. Wherefore it is commanded to receive to ourselves him who is weak in the faith [4184] ,' and to nourish him, even if he is not yet able to eat bread, but herbs, for he that is weak eateth herbs.'…
2,269 wordsSECTION 2753. And that we may not distress you at all, I would now (only) briefly remind you of these things, because it is not becoming in a man to fo
3. And that we may not distress you at all, I would now (only) briefly remind you of these things, because it is not becoming in a man to forget, when more at ease, the pains he experienced in tribulation; lest, like an unthankful and forgetful person, he should be excluded from the divine assembly. For at no time should a man f…
2,205 wordsSECTION 2768. Thus too Paul, while he conducted himself after the example of the Lord, exhorted us, saying, Be ye followers of me, as I also am of Chri
8. Thus too Paul, while he conducted himself after the example of the Lord, exhorted us, saying, Be ye followers of me, as I also am of Christ [4245] .' In this way he prevailed against all the divisions of the devil, writing, I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor th…
2,724 wordsSECTION 2772. Since we are thus circumstanced, my brethren, let us never loiter in the path of virtue; for hereto he counsels us, saying, Be ye followe
2. Since we are thus circumstanced, my brethren, let us never loiter in the path of virtue; for hereto he counsels us, saying, Be ye followers of me, as I also am of Christ [4272] .' For he gave this advice not to the Corinthians only, since he was not their Apostle only, but being a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity […
2,275 wordsSECTION 2787. And whereas, not only in action, but also in the thoughts of the mind, men are moved to deeds of virtue, he afterwards adds, saying, Mine
7. And whereas, not only in action, but also in the thoughts of the mind, men are moved to deeds of virtue, he afterwards adds, saying, Mine eyes prevent the dawn, that I might meditate on Thy words [4314] .' For it is meet that the spiritual meditations of those who are whole should precede their bodily actions. And does not ou…
2,351 wordsSECTION 27915. We begin the fast of forty days on the ninth of the month Phamenoth (Mar. 5); and having, in these days, served the Lord with abstinence
15. We begin the fast of forty days on the ninth of the month Phamenoth (Mar. 5); and having, in these days, served the Lord with abstinence, and first purified ourselves [4350] , we commence also the holy Easter on the fourteenth of the month Pharmuthi (April 9). Afterwards, extending the fast to the seventh day, on the sevente…
1,782 wordsSECTION 280Letter XIII.--(For 341.) Coss. Marcellinus, Probinus; Præf. Longinus; Indict. xiv; Easter-day, xiii Kal. Maii, xxiv Pharmuthi; Æra Dioclet. 57.
Letter XIII.--(For 341.) Coss. Marcellinus, Probinus; Præf. Longinus; Indict. xiv; Easter-day, xiii Kal. Maii, xxiv Pharmuthi; Æra Dioclet. 57. Again, my beloved brethren, I am ready to notify to you the saving feast [4364] , which will take place according to annual custom. For although the opponents of Christ [4365] have oppr…
2,282 wordsSource & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.