Athanasius Escapes from Alexandria

After this Syrianus, the military commander, with a corps of heavy-armed soldiers five thousand strong, escorted Gregory to Alexandria, and those citizens who held Arian views joined them. But it is right to tell here how Athanasius escaped the hands of those who wanted to seize him after he was driven out of the church. It was evening, and the people were keeping the night vigil there, since a service was expected. The commander arrived and drew up his forces in battle order on every side of the church. Athanasius saw what was being done and considered how he could keep the people from suffering in any way on his account. So he told the deacon to call the people to prayer, and after that he ordered a psalm to be recited. When the tuneful chant of the psalm rose, everyone went out through one of the church doors. While this was going on, the troops stood by and watched, doing nothing, and so Athanasius escaped unhurt among those who were chanting the psalm, and immediately hurried to Rome. [a]

Gregory then took control of the church. But the people of Alexandria, indignant at this conduct, set fire to the church called the church of Dionysius. Let this be enough on this subject. Now Eusebius, having gained his object so far, sent a delegation to Julius, bishop of Rome, asking him to take up the charges against Athanasius himself and to order a trial to be held before him.