Syrianus Breaks into the Church, Against His Promise

Everyone demanded that the letters of your Piety be shown. For the bare word of a king carries the same weight and authority as his written command, especially when the one who reports it boldly states in writing that it was given to him. But these men neither declared openly that they had received any command, nor, when they were asked, assured me of it in writing. They acted entirely as if on their own authority. I admit it, and I say it boldly: I was suspicious of them. For there were many Arians around them, who ate at their table and gave them advice. And while they attempted nothing openly, they were preparing to attack me by trickery and treachery. Nor did they act at all as men under the authority of a royal command, but, as their conduct showed, at the urging of enemies. This made me demand all the more urgently that they produce letters from you, since everything they undertook and planned was suspicious, and because it was not fitting that, after entering the church under the authority of so many letters from you, I should leave it without such a sanction. [a]

When Syrianus gave his promise, however, all the people gathered in the churches with joy and a sense of safety. But twenty-three days later he burst into the church with his soldiers while we were busy with our usual services, as those who were inside can testify; for it was a vigil, held in preparation for communion the next day. And that night things were done just as the Arians wished and had threatened against us beforehand. For the general brought them with him, and they were the ones who stirred up and advised the attack. This is no unbelievable tale of mine, most religious Augustus. It was not done in secret, but was talked about everywhere.

So when I saw the attack begin, I first urged the people to withdraw, and then I withdrew myself after them, God hiding and guiding me, as those who were with me at the time can testify. Since then I have stayed by myself. Yet I have every confidence to answer for my conduct, first before God, and also before your Piety: I did not flee and desert my people, but I can point to the general’s attack on us as proof of persecution. His actions have caused the greatest astonishment among everyone, for either he should not have made a promise, or, having made it, he should not have broken it.