The Emperor Addresses the Council

The bishops held long consultations. They summoned Arius before them and tested his propositions carefully, taking close care not to come to a vote on either side. When at last the day arrived that had been set for settling the disputed points, they met in the palace, because the emperor had let it be known that he meant to take part in the deliberations. When he had come into the room with the priests, he walked through to the head of the assembly and sat down on the throne that had been prepared for him, and then the synod was told to be seated. Seats had been set out on both sides along the walls of the palace hall, for it was the largest room and finer than the other chambers.

After they were seated, Eusebius Pamphilus rose and gave a speech in honor of the emperor, giving thanks to God on his account. When he had finished speaking and silence had returned, the emperor spoke these words: “I give thanks to God for all things, my friends, but above all for being allowed to see your assembly. What has happened has gone beyond my prayer, in that so many priests of Christ have been brought together in one place. Now it is my desire that you should be of one mind and share one agreeing judgment, for I consider division in the church of God more dangerous than any other evil. “So when it was reported, and I learned that you were at odds, an unwholesome thing to hear, I was deeply pained in my soul. And it profits you least of all, since you are the leaders of divine worship and the judges of peace. That is why I have called you together in a holy synod. As both your emperor and your fellow physician, I ask of you a favor that is pleasing to our common Lord, and as honorable for me to receive as it is for you to grant. “The favor I ask is that you examine the causes of the strife and bring it to an agreed and peaceful end, so that together with you I may triumph over the envious demon. He stirred up this revolt within because it galled him to see our enemies outside and the tyrants under our feet, and he envied our good fortune.” The emperor gave this address in Latin, and a man at his side translated it. [a]