Constantine’s Letter to the People of Antioch

“Victor Constantine, Greatest Augustus, to the people of Antioch. “How pleasing to the wise and understanding part of mankind is the harmony among you! And I myself, brothers, am inclined to love you with a lasting affection, moved both by religion and by your own way of life and your zeal on my behalf. It is by the exercise of right understanding and sound judgment that we are able truly to enjoy our blessings. And what could suit you so well as this good judgment? No wonder, then, if I say that your keeping of the truth has served to secure your safety rather than to bring on you the hatred of others. Indeed, among brothers whom the same disposition to walk in the ways of truth and righteousness promises, by the favor of God, to enroll in his pure and holy family, what can be more honorable than to share gladly in the prosperity of all? Especially since the commands of the divine law point your intended course in a better direction, and we ourselves desire that your judgment be confirmed by proper sanction. [a]

Perhaps you are surprised, and at a loss to understand what this opening to my present letter means. I will not hesitate to explain the reason plainly. I confess, then, that on reading your records I saw, from the very high praise they give to Eusebius, bishop of Caesarea, whom I have myself long known well and respected for his learning and moderation, that you are strongly attached to him and wish to claim him as your own. What thoughts, then, do you suppose I have on this matter, eager as I am to seek out and act on strict principles of right? What anxiety do you imagine this wish of yours has caused me? O holy faith, who give us in our Savior’s words and commands a pattern, as it were, of what our life should be, how hard it would be for you yourself to resist the sins of men, were it not that you refuse to serve the purposes of gain! In my own judgment, the one whose first aim is keeping the peace seems to be greater than Victory herself; and where a right and honorable course lies open to choice, surely no one would hesitate to take it.

I ask, then, brothers, why do we decide in a way that inflicts an injury on others by our choice? Why do we covet things that will destroy the credit of our own good name? I myself highly esteem the man you judge worthy of your respect and affection. Even so, it cannot be right that those principles should be entirely disregarded which ought to be authoritative and binding on all alike, with the result that each would not be content with his own situation, nor all enjoy their proper rights. Nor, in weighing the claims of rival candidates, is it right to suppose anything but that many, not just one, may prove worthy of comparison with this man. For as long as no violence or harshness is allowed to disturb the dignities of the church, they remain on an equal footing and deserve the same respect everywhere. Nor is it reasonable that an inquiry into the qualifications of this one man should be made to the harm of others, since the judgment of all churches, whether counted of greater or lesser importance in themselves, is equally able to receive and maintain the divine ordinances. So one is in no way inferior to another, if we will only state the truth boldly about the standard of practice that is common to all.

If this is so, we must say that you will be guilty, not of keeping this prelate, but of wrongfully taking him away; your conduct will be marked by violence rather than justice. And whatever others may generally think, I dare to say clearly and boldly that this step will give grounds for accusation against you and will provoke factional disturbances of the most harmful kind. For even timid flocks can show the use and power of their teeth when the watchful care of their shepherd fails and they find themselves deprived of his usual guidance. If this is really so, if I am not mistaken in my judgment, let this, brothers, be your first consideration (for many important considerations will at once present themselves): whether, if you persist in your intention, the mutual kindness and affection that ought to exist among you will suffer no loss. Next, remember that he who came among you to offer unselfish counsel now enjoys the reward due to him in the judgment of heaven; for he has received no ordinary recompense in the high testimony you have given to his fair dealing. Finally, in keeping with your usual sound judgment, show fitting care in choosing the person you need, carefully avoiding all factious and noisy clamor; for such clamor is always wrong, and from the clash of discordant elements both sparks and flame will arise.

I declare, as I desire to please God and you, and to enjoy a happiness equal to your kind wishes, that I love you, and the quiet haven of your gentleness, now that you have cast out what defiled you and received in its place both sound morals and harmony, firmly planting the sacred standard in the ship, and steering, as one might say, with a helm of iron on your course toward the light of heaven. Take on board, then, the cargo that cannot perish, since all the bilge water, as it were, has been drained from the ship; and take care from now on so to secure the enjoyment of all your present blessings that you may never seem either to have decided any step on the impulse of thoughtless or misguided zeal, or to have rashly entered on an unwise course in the first place. May God preserve you, beloved brothers!”