The Second Return of Athanasius

When the emperor Constantius learned of the plots that had been made against the bishops, he wrote to the great Athanasius once, and twice, and even three times, urging him to return from the West. I will include the second letter here, because it is the shortest of the three. [a] Constantius Augustus the Conqueror, to Athanasius. “I have already told you in earlier letters that you may come back to our court without fear of being troubled, so that you may be restored to your own bishopric, as I earnestly wish. Even so, I now send yet another letter to Your Gravity, to urge you to take a public carriage at once, without fear or suspicion, and return to us, so that you may receive all that you desire.” [b]

When Athanasius came back, Constantius received him kindly and told him to return to the church of Alexandria. But there were some at court, infected with the errors of Arianism, who insisted that Athanasius ought to give up one church to those who were unwilling to be in communion with him. When this was put to the emperor, and by the emperor to Athanasius, he said that the emperor’s command seemed just, but that he also wished to make a request. The emperor readily promised to grant him whatever he might ask. Then he said that those in Antioch who refused to be in communion with the party now holding the churches wanted buildings to pray in, and that it was only fair that one house of God be assigned to them as well. The emperor thought this request just and reasonable, but the leaders of the Arian faction resisted its being carried out, maintaining that neither party ought to have the churches assigned to it. At this Constantius was struck with great admiration for Athanasius, and he sent him back to Alexandria. Gregory was dead, having met his end at the hands of the Alexandrians themselves. The people kept a great festival in honor of their pastor; they feasted for joy at seeing him again, and praise was given to God. Not long afterward Constans departed this life. [c]