Athanasius at Jerusalem

Armed with letters like these, Athanasius the bishop passed through Syria and came into Palestine. On arriving at Jerusalem he told Maximus the bishop what had been done at the Council of Sardica, and that the emperor Constantius had confirmed its decision; and he proposed that a synod of the bishops there should be held. So Maximus at once sent for some of the bishops of Syria and Palestine, and having gathered a council, he restored Athanasius to communion and to his former rank. After this the synod informed the Alexandrians, and all the bishops of Egypt and Libya, by letter of what had been decided about Athanasius. [a]

At this the enemies of Athanasius heaped ridicule on Maximus. He had earlier helped to depose Athanasius, and now he had suddenly changed his mind and, as if nothing had happened before, voted to restore him to communion and rank. When Ursacius and Valens, who had been fiery supporters of Arianism, learned of these things, they condemned their former zeal and went to Rome. There they handed their recantation to Julius the bishop and gave their assent to the doctrine that the Son is of one substance with the Father. They also wrote to Athanasius and declared themselves ready to hold communion with him in the future. So at that time Ursacius and Valens were overcome by the good fortune of Athanasius and brought to acknowledge the orthodox faith.

Athanasius passed through Pelusium on his way to Alexandria, and warned the people of every city to beware of the Arians and to receive only those who professed the homoousian faith. In some of the churches he also performed ordinations. This gave another ground for accusing him, because he had taken it upon himself to ordain in other bishops’ dioceses. Such was the course of events concerning Athanasius at that time.