Constantine’s Letter to the Council of Tyre

“Constantine Augustus, to the holy council assembled at Tyre. [a] “In the general prosperity that marks the present time, it seems right that the catholic church too should be free of trouble, and that the servants of Christ should be cleared of every reproach.

“But certain people, driven by a mad love of quarreling, not to say living lives unworthy of their calling, are trying to throw everything into confusion. To me this seems the greatest of all possible calamities. So I urge you to gather with all speed, as the saying goes, without any delay, in a formal synod. Support those who need your help, heal the brothers who are in danger, bring the divided members back to one mind, and set right the disorders of the church while there is still time. In this way you will restore to those great provinces the harmony that, sad to say, the arrogance of a few men has destroyed. “I believe everyone would agree that nothing you could do would be so pleasing in the sight of God, so far beyond all my prayers and your own, or so good for your own reputation, as to restore peace. “So do not delay. When you have come together with all the sincerity and faithfulness that our Savior asks of all his servants, almost in words we can hear, work with twice the eagerness to bring these quarrels to a fitting end.

“Nothing will be left undone on my part to further the interests of our religion. I have done everything you asked in your letters. I have sent word to the bishops you named, directing them to come to the council to deliberate with you on church affairs. I have also sent Dionysius, a man of consular rank, to advise those who are to sit in synod with you, and to see your proceedings for himself, especially the order and good conduct that are kept there. “If anyone should dare, this time too, to disobey our command and refuse to come to the council, which I do not expect, an officer will be sent at once to send him into exile by imperial order. Then he will learn not to oppose the decrees the emperor has made in support of the truth. [b]

“All that is now left for Your Holinesses is to decide with one judgment, without favor or prejudice, according to the rule of the church and of the apostles, and to find fitting remedies for the offenses that may have come from error. Then the church will be free of all reproach, my anxiety will be lightened, peace will be restored to those now at odds, and your own good name will grow. May God keep you, beloved brothers.”

So the bishops came to the Council of Tyre. Among them were some who were accused of holding unsound doctrine, and Asclepas, bishop of Gaza, was one of them. The admirable Athanasius came too. I will first describe the tragic drama of the accusation, and then tell what this celebrated tribunal did.