Constantine’s Letter to the Churches about the Council of Nicaea

“Constantine Augustus, to the churches. [a]

“I have had full proof, in the general prosperity of the empire, of how great God’s favor toward us has been. So I have judged that the first aim of my efforts should be this: that among the greatly favored multitude who make up the catholic church, unity of faith, sincerity of love, and a common mind about the worship of Almighty God should be preserved. But this aim could not be secured effectively and surely unless all the bishops, or at least the greater number of them, met together and discussed every particular of our most holy religion. For this reason as large an assembly as possible was called together. I myself was present at it as one of you, and far be it from me to deny what is my greatest joy, that I am your fellow servant. Every question received a proper and full examination, until the judgment that God, who sees all things, could approve, and that led toward unity and harmony, was brought to light, so that no room was left for any further discussion or controversy about the faith. [b]