Valens and Ursacius Write to Athanasius; the Exiled Bishops Return

“The bishops Ursacius and Valens, to Athanasius, our brother in the Lord. [a] “We take the opportunity offered by the journey of Museus, our brother and fellow presbyter, who is going to your esteemed self, beloved brother, to send you our warmest greetings from Aquileia by him. We hope our letter finds you in good health. It will greatly encourage us if you write us a reply to this letter. Know that we are at peace and in church communion with you.” [b] These, then, were the circumstances in which Athanasius returned from the West to Egypt. Paul, Marcellus, Asclepas and Lucius, whom the emperor’s edict had brought back from exile, recovered their own sees. As soon as Paul returned to Constantinople, Macedonius withdrew and held his assemblies in private. There was a great uproar at Ancyra when Basil was removed from the church there and Marcellus was reinstated. The other bishops were restored to their churches without difficulty. [c]