§ 120. THE COUNCIL OF NIC^A. 625
only such as professed faith in Christ. The moment the approach of the emperor was announced by a given signal, they all rose from tlieir seats, and the emperor appeared like a heavenly messenger of God,' covered with gold and gems, a glorious presence, very tall and slender, full of beauty, strength and majesty. With this external adornment he united the spiritual ornament of the fear of God, modesty, and humility, which could be seen in his downciist eyes, his blusbing fiice, the motion of his body, and his walk. When he reached the golden throne prepared for him, he stopped, and sat not down till the bishops gave him the sign. And after him they all resumed their seats."
How great the contrast between this position of the church and the time of her persecution but scarcely passed ! What a revolution of opinion in bishops who had once feared the Roman emperor as the worst enemy of the church, and who now greeted the same emperor in his half barbarous attire as an angel of God from heaven, and gave him, though not yet even baptized, the honorary presidency of the highest assembly of the church !
After a brief salutatory address from the bishop on the riglit of the emperor, by which we are most probably to understand Eusebius of Ceesarea, the emperor himself delivered with a gentle voice in the official Latin tongue the opening address, which was inniiediately after translated into Greek, and runs thus : '
" It was my highest wish, my friends, that I might be permitted to enjoy your assembly. I must thank God that, in addition to all other blessings, he has shown me this highest one of all : to see you all gathered here in harmony and with one mind. May no malicious enemy rob us of this happiness, and after the tyranny of the enemy of Christ [Licinius and his army] is conquered by the help of the Redeemer, the wicked demon shall not persecute the divine law with new blasphe-
' Ofa Qeov Tis ohpavios S776A05.
^ According to Eusebius, 1. c. iii. c. 12. gozomen, Socrates, and Rufinus also give the emperor's speech, somewhat differently, but in substantial agreement with this.
620 THIRD PERIOD. A.D. 311-590.
mies. Discord in tlie church I consider more fearful and pain fol than an}? otlier war. As soon as I by the help of God had overcome my enemies, I believed that nothing more was now necessary than to give thanks to God in common joy with those whom I had liberated. But when I heard of your division, I was convinced that this matter should by no means be neglected, and in the desire to assist by my service, I have summoned you without delay. I shall, however, feel my desire fulfilled only when I see the minds of all united in that peaceful harmony w^hich yju, as the anointed of God, must preach to others. Delay not therefore, my friends, delay not, servants of God; put away all causes of strife, and loose all knots of discord by the laws of peace. Thus shall yon accomplish the work most pleasing to God, and confer upon me, your fellow servant,' an exceeding great joy.''
After this address he gave way to the (ecclesiastical) presi dent^ of the council,' and the business began. The emperor however, constantly took an active part, and exercised a considerable influence.
Among the fathers of the council, besides a great number of obscure mediocrities, there were several distinguished and venerable men. Eusebius of CjBsarea was most eminent fur learning ; the young archdeacon Athanasius, who accompanied the bishop Alexander of Alexandria, for zeal, intellect, and eloquence. Some, as confessors, still bore in their body the marks of Christ from the times of persecution: Paphnutius of the Upper Thebaid, Potamon of Ileraklea, whose right eye had been put out, and Paul of Neo-Ca3sarea, who had been tortured with red hot iron under Licinius, and crippled in both his hands. Others were distinguished for extraordinary ascetic holiness, and even for miraculous works ; like Jacob ot Nisibis, who had spent years as a hermit in forests and caves, and lived like a wild beast on roots and leaves, and Spyridion (or St. S]>ir()) of Cyprus, the patron of the Ionian isles, who
' Tcf vfjLfTfpif. aiiv^epd-KovTi.
' nop*5i5oi; rhv \6yuv toij t^s (rvr65<iv Trpoe'Spois, says Euseb. iji. IS The que»tior of tlic preaidency in the ecumenical councik bas already been spoken of in §, 65.