The Index to the Festal Letters

An index of the months of each year and of the days, of the indictions, of the consulships, of the governors in Alexandria, of all the epacts, and of the days called “of the gods”; also the reason any letter was not sent, and the returns from exile. It is drawn from the Festal Letters of Pope Athanasius. [a] These are the Festal Letters of Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria, which he sent year by year to the various cities and to all the provinces under him: from Pentapolis on to Libya, Ammoniaca, the greater and the lesser Oasis, Egypt, and Augustamnica, with the Heptanomis of the upper and middle Thebaid. They begin with the 44th year of the Diocletian era, in which the Paschal festival fell on the 16th of Pharmuthi, the 18th day before the Kalends of May, with the moon 18 days old. Alexander, his predecessor, departed this life on the 22nd of Pharmuthi, and Athanasius succeeded him after the Paschal festival, on the 14th of Payni. It was the first year of the indiction; Januarius and Justus were consuls; the governor Zenius, of Italy, was Prefect of Egypt; the epact was 25, and the gods 1. [c]

Year 1 (the 29th of August in the year 328, to the 28th of August in the year 329). In this year Easter Day was on the 11th of Pharmuthi, the 8th day before the Ides of April, with the moon 22 days old. The consuls were Constantine Augustus for the eighth time and Constantine Caesar for the fourth. The same governor, Zenius, was Prefect of Egypt. The indiction was 2, the epact 6, and the gods 2. This was the first letter he sent; for he had been ordained bishop in the year before, after the Paschal feast, and Alexander, as is known, had sent out the letter for that year before he was released from this life. This was the 45th year of the Diocletian era. [j] Year 2 (329 to 330). In this year Easter Day was on the 24th of Pharmuthi, the 13th day before the Kalends of May, with the moon 15 days old. The consuls were Gallicianus and Symmachus. The governor Magninianus the Cappadocian was Prefect of Egypt. The indiction was 3, the epact 17, and the gods 3. In this year he went through the Thebaid. Year 3 (330 to 331). In this year Easter Day was on the 16th of Pharmuthi, with the moon 18 days old, the 3rd day before the Ides of April. The consuls were Annius Bassus and Ablabius. The governor Hyginus, of Italy, was Prefect of Egypt. The epact was 28, and the indiction 4. He sent this letter while on his journey home from the imperial court. For in this year he went to the imperial court, to the emperor Constantine the Great, having been summoned before him because of an accusation his enemies made, that he had been appointed when he was too young. He appeared, was found worthy of favor and honor, and returned when the fast was half over. [k] Year 4 (331 to 332). In this year Easter Day was on the 17th of Pharmuthi, with the moon 20 days old, the 4th day before the Nones of April. The epact was 9, and the gods 6. The consuls were Pacatianus and Hilarianus. The same governor, Hyginus, was Prefect of Egypt. The indiction was 5. In this year he went through Pentapolis, and was in Ammoniaca. [l] Year 5 (332 to 333). In this year Easter Day was on the 20th of Pharmuthi, with the moon 15 days old, the 17th day before the Kalends of May. The epact was 20, and the gods 7. The consuls were Dalmatius and Zenophilus. The governor Paternus was Prefect of Egypt. The indiction was 6. Year 6 (333 to 334). In this year Easter Day was on the 12th of Pharmuthi, with the moon 17 days old, the 7th day before the Ides of April. The indiction was 7, the epact 1, and the gods 1. The consuls were Optatus and Paulinus. The same governor, Paternus, was Prefect of Egypt. In this year he went through the lower country. In this year he was also summoned to a synod, his enemies having already plotted mischief against him in Caesarea of Palestine; but when he learned of the conspiracy, he excused himself from attending. [m] Year 7 (334 to 335). In this year Easter Day was on the 14th of Pharmuthi, with the moon 20 days old, the 3rd day before the Kalends of April. The indiction was 8, the epact 12, and the gods 2. The consuls were Constantius and Albinus. The same governor, Paternus, was Prefect of Egypt. [n]

Year 8 (335 to 336). In this year Easter Day was on the 23rd of Pharmuthi, with the moon 20 days old, the 14th day before the Kalends of May. The indiction was 9, the epact 23, and the gods 4. The consuls were Nepotianus and Facundus. The governor Philagrius the Cappadocian was Prefect of Egypt. In this year he went to that synod of his enemies which was assembled at Tyre. He set out from here on the 17th of Epiphi; but when the plot against him was discovered, he left there and fled in an open boat to Constantinople. He arrived there on the 2nd of Athyr, and eight days later he presented himself before the emperor Constantine and spoke plainly. But his enemies, by various secret devices, worked on the emperor, who suddenly condemned him to exile; and on the 10th of Athyr he set out for Gaul, to Constans Caesar, the son of Augustus. For this reason he wrote no festal letter. [o] Year 9 (336 to 337). In this year Easter Day was on the 8th of Pharmuthi, with the moon 16 days old, the 4th day before the Nones of April. The indiction was 10, the epact 4, and the gods 5. The consuls were Felicianus and Titianus. The governor Philagrius the Cappadocian was Prefect of Egypt. He was at Trier in Gaul, and for this reason he could not write a festal letter. [p] Year 10 (337 to 338). In this year Easter Day was on the 30th of Phamenoth, the 7th day before the Kalends of April, with the moon 19 days old. The indiction was 11, the epact 15, and the gods 6. The consuls were Ursus and Polemius. The governor Theodorus, of Heliopolis, was Prefect of Egypt. In this year Constantine died, on the 27th of Pachon, and Athanasius, now set free, returned from Gaul in triumph on the 27th of Athyr. There were many other events in this year too. Antony, the great leader, came to Alexandria; and though he stayed there only two days, he showed himself wonderful in many things and healed many. He went away on the 3rd of Mesori. [q]

Year 11 (338 to 339). In this year Easter Day was on the 20th of Pharmuthi, with the moon 20 days old, the 17th day before the Kalends of May. The epact was 26, the gods 7, and the indiction 12. The consuls were Constantius for the second time and Constans for the first. The governor Philagrius the Cappadocian was Prefect of Egypt. In this year again there were many riots. On the 22nd of Phamenoth he was pursued in the night, and the next day he fled from the Church of Theonas, after he had baptized many. Then, four days later, Gregory the Cappadocian entered the city as bishop. [s] Year 12 (339 to 340). In this year Easter Day was on the 14th of Pharmuthi, with the moon 15 days old, the 3rd day before the Kalends of April. The epact was 7, the gods 2, and the indiction 13. The consuls were Acyndinus and Proclus. The same governor, Philagrius, was Prefect of Egypt. Gregory kept up his acts of violence, and so Athanasius wrote no festal letter. The Arians announced Easter for the 27th of Phamenoth, and were much ridiculed for this error. Then, changing it in the middle of the fast, they kept it with us on the 4th of Pharmuthi, as above. Athanasius gave notice of it to the presbyters of Alexandria in a short note, since he could not send a letter as usual, because of his flight and the treachery. [t] Year 13 (340 to 341). In this year Easter Day was on the 24th of Pharmuthi, with the moon 16 days old, the 13th day before the Kalends of May. The epact was 18, the gods 3, and the indiction 14. The consuls were Marcellinus and Probinus. The governor Longinus, of Nicaea, was Prefect of Egypt. Augustamnica was separated. Because Gregory remained in the city and used violence, although this illness had begun, the pope did not write a festal letter this time either. [u] Year 14 (341 to 342). In this year Easter Day was on the 16th of Pharmuthi, with the moon 20 days old, the 3rd day before the Ides of April. The epact was 29, the gods 4, and the indiction 15. The consuls were Constantius for the third time and Constans for the second. The governor Longinus, of Nicaea, was Prefect of Egypt. Because Gregory was in the city, though severely ill, the pope could not send any letter. [w] Year 15 (342 to 343). In this year Easter Day was on the 1st of Pharmuthi, with the moon 15 days old, the 6th day before the Kalends of April. The epact was 11, the gods 5, and the indiction 1. The consuls were Placidus and Romulus. The same governor, Longinus, of Nicaea, was Prefect of Egypt. In this year the Synod of Sardica was held. When the Arians had arrived, they went back to Philippopolis, for Philagrius gave them this advice there. In truth, they were blamed everywhere, and were even anathematized by the church of Rome; and Ursacius and Valens, having written a recantation to Pope Athanasius, were put to shame. An agreement about Easter was made at Sardica, and a decree was issued, binding for fifty years, which the Romans and the Alexandrians everywhere announced in the usual way. Again he wrote a festal letter. [x]

Year 16 (343 to 344). In this year Easter Day was on the 20th of Pharmuthi, with the moon 19 days old, the 17th day before the Kalends of May. The epact was 21, and the gods 7. The consuls were Leontius and Sallustius. The governor Palladius, of Italy, was Prefect of Egypt. The indiction was 2. Being at Naissus on his way back from the synod, he celebrated Easter there. He gave notice of this Easter Day in a few words to the presbyters of Alexandria, but he could not do so to the country. [z] Year 17 (344 to 345). In this year Easter Day was on the 12th of Pharmuthi, with the moon 18 days old, the 7th day before the Ides of April. The epact was 2, the gods 1, and the indiction 3. The consuls were Amantius and Albinus. The governor Nestorius, of Gaza, was Prefect of Egypt. Having traveled to Aquileia, he kept Easter there. He gave notice of this Easter Day in a few words to the presbyters of Alexandria, but not to the country. Year 18 (345 to 346). In this year Easter Day was on the 4th of Pharmuthi, with the moon 21 days old, the 3rd day before the Kalends of April. The epact was 14, the gods 2, and the indiction 4. The consuls were Constantius Augustus for the fourth time and Constans Augustus for the third. The same governor, Nestorius, of Gaza, was Prefect of Egypt. Gregory having died on the 2nd of Epiphi, Athanasius returned from Rome and Italy, and entered the city and the church. He was found worthy of a grand reception: on the 24th of Paophi the people and all those in authority met him a hundred miles out, and he continued in honor. He had already sent the festal letter for this year, in a few words, to the presbyters. [aa] Year 19 (346 to 347). In this year Easter Day was on the 17th of Pharmuthi, with the moon 15 days old, the day before the Ides of April. The epact was 25, the gods 3, and the indiction 5. The consuls were Rufinus and Eusebius. The same governor, Nestorius, of Gaza, was Prefect of Egypt. He wrote this letter while living here in Alexandria, giving notice of some things he had not been able to do before. Year 20 (347 to 348). In this year Easter Day was on the 7th of Pharmuthi, with the moon 18 days old, the 3rd day before the Nones of April. The epact was 6, the gods 5, and the indiction 6. The consuls were Philippus and Salia. The same governor, Nestorius, of Gaza, was Prefect of Egypt. This letter too he sent while living in Alexandria. [ab] Year 21 (348 to 349). In this year Easter Day was on the 30th of Phamenoth; … the moon 19 days old; … the 7th day before the Kalends of April. The epact was 17, the gods 6, and the indiction 7. But because the Romans refused—for they said they held a tradition from the apostle Peter not to go beyond the 26th day of Pharmuthi, nor … the 30th of Phamenoth, the moon 21 days old, … the 7th day before the Kalends of April. The consuls were Limenius and Catullinus. The same governor, Nestorius, of Gaza, was Prefect of Egypt. He sent this letter too while living in Alexandria. [ac]

Year 22 (349 to 350). In this year Easter Day was on the 13th of Pharmuthi, with the moon 19 days old, at the second hour, the 6th day before the Ides of April. The epact was 28, the gods 7, and the indiction 8. The consuls were Sergius and Nigrianus. The same governor, Nestorius, of Gaza, was Prefect of Egypt. In this year Constans was killed by Magnentius, and Constantius held the empire alone. He then wrote to the pope, Athanasius, telling him to fear nothing because of the death of Constans, but to trust in him as he had trusted in Constans while he lived. [ad] Year 23 (350 to 351). In this year Easter Day was on the 5th of Pharmuthi, with the moon 18 days old, the day before the Kalends of April. The epact was 9, the gods 1, and the indiction 9. The year was dated by the consulship after that of Sergius and Nigrianus. The same governor, Nestorius, of Gaza, was again Prefect of Egypt. Year 24 (351 to 352). In this year Easter Day was on the 24th of Pharmuthi, with the moon 18 days old, the 13th day before the Kalends of May. The epact was 20, the gods 3, and the indiction 10. The consuls were Constantius Augustus for the fifth time and Constantius Caesar for the first. The same governor, Nestorius, of Gaza, was Prefect of Egypt. Gallus was proclaimed Caesar, and his name was changed to Constantius. [ae] Year 25 (352 to 353). In this year Easter Day was on the 16th of Pharmuthi, with the moon 21 days old, the 3rd day before the Ides of April. The epact was 1, the gods 4, and the indiction 11. The consuls were Constantius Augustus for the sixth time and Constantius Caesar for the second. The governor Sebastianus, of Thrace, was Prefect of Egypt. In this year Serapion, bishop of Thmuis, Triadelphus of Nicion, and the presbyters Peter and Astericius, with others, were sent to the emperor Constantius, out of fear of mischief from the Arians. They came back having accomplished nothing. In this year Montanus, a silentiary of the palace, was sent … against the bishop; but when a riot broke out, he withdrew, having failed to accomplish anything. [af] Year 26 (353 to 354). In this year Easter Day was on the 1st of Pharmuthi, with the moon 17 days old, the 6th day before the Kalends of April. The epact was 12, the gods 5, and the indiction 12. The consuls were Constantius Augustus for the seventh time and Constantius Caesar for the third. The same governor, Sebastianus, of Thrace, was Prefect of Egypt. [ag] Year 27 (354 to 355). In this year Easter Day was on the 21st of Pharmuthi, with the moon 18 days old, the 16th day before the Kalends of May. The epact was 23, the gods 6, and the indiction 13. The consuls were Arbetion and Lollianus. The governor Maximus the Elder, of Nicaea, was Prefect of Egypt. In this year Diogenes, the emperor’s secretary, came in with the plan of seizing the bishop. But he too, after raging in vain, went away quietly.

Year 28 (355 to 356). In this year Easter Day was on the 12th of Pharmuthi, with the moon 17 days old, the 7th day before the Ides of April. The epact was 4, the gods 1, and the indiction 14. The consuls were Constantius Augustus for the eighth time and Julian Caesar for the first. The same governor, Maximus the Elder, of Nicaea, was Prefect of Egypt, and he was succeeded by Cataphronius of Byblus. In this year Syrianus the duke stirred up a riot in the church on the 13th of Mechir, and on the 14th, at night, he entered the Church of Theonas with his soldiers. But he could not capture Athanasius, for he escaped in a miraculous way. [ah] Year 29 (356 to 357). In this year Easter Day was on the 27th of Phamenoth, with the moon 17 days old, the 10th day before the Kalends of April. The epact was 15, the gods 2, and the indiction 15. The consuls were Constantius Augustus for the ninth time and Julian Caesar for the second. The same governor, Cataphronius, of Byblus, was Prefect of Egypt, and Parnassius succeeded him. Then George came in on the 30th of Mechir, and acted with excessive violence. But Athanasius the bishop had fled, and he was searched for in the city with much oppression, many being in danger on this account. So no festal letter was written. [ai] Year 30 (357 to 358). In this year Easter Day was on the 17th of Pharmuthi, the day before the Ides of April, with the moon 17 days old. The epact was 26, the gods 3, and the indiction 1. The consuls were Tatianus and Cerealis. The governor Parius, of Corinth, was Prefect of Egypt. Athanasius the bishop lay hidden in the city of Alexandria. But George left on the 5th of Paophi, driven away by the people. For this reason the pope could not send a festal letter this year either. [aj] Year 31 (358 to 359). In this year Easter Day was on the 9th of Pharmuthi, the day before the Nones of April, with the moon 20 days old. The epact was 7, the gods 4, and the indiction 2. The consuls were Eusebius and Hypatius. The same governor, Parius, was Prefect, and he was succeeded for three months by Italicianus of Italy, and after him by Faustinus of Chalcedon. This year too the pope wrote no letter. [ak] Year 32 (359 to 360). In this year Easter Day was on the 28th of Pharmuthi, the 9th day before the Kalends of May, with the moon 21 days old. The epact was 18, the gods 6, and the indiction 3. The consuls were Constantius Augustus for the tenth time and Julian Caesar for the third. The governor Faustinus, of Chalcedon, was Prefect of Egypt. This prefect and Artemius the duke, entering a private house and a small cell in search of Athanasius the bishop, cruelly tortured Eudaemonis, a perpetual virgin. For this reason no letter was written this year. [al] Year 33 (360 to 361). In this year Easter Day was on the 13th of Pharmuthi, the 6th day before the Ides of April, with the moon 17 days old. The epact was 29, the gods 7, and the indiction 4. The consuls were Taurus and Florentius. The same governor, Faustinus, was Prefect of Egypt, and he was succeeded by Gerontius the Armenian. Athanasius could not send a letter. In this year Constantius died, and with Julian holding the empire alone, the persecution of the orthodox came to a stop. For orders went out everywhere from the emperor Julian that the orthodox clergy who had been persecuted in the time of Constantius should be left alone. [am]

Year 34 (361 to 362). In this year Easter Day was on the 5th of Pharmuthi, the day before the Kalends of April, with the moon 25 days old. The epact was 10, the gods 1, and the indiction 5. The consuls were Mamertinus and Nevitta. The same governor, Gerontius, was Prefect, and he was succeeded by Olympus of Tarsus. In this year, in Mechir, Athanasius the bishop returned to the church after his flight, by the command of Julian Augustus, who pardoned all the bishops and clergy in exile, as was said before. This year, then, he wrote a letter. [an] Year 35 (362 to 363). In this year Easter Day was on the 25th of Pharmuthi, the 12th day before the Kalends of May, with the moon 20 days old. The epact was 21, the gods 2, and the indiction 6. The consuls were Julian Augustus for the fourth time and Sallustius. The same governor, Olympus, was Prefect of Egypt. Pythiodorus Trico of Thebes, a philosopher, brought a decree of Julian on the 27th of Paophi; he put it into effect against the bishop first, and uttered many threats. So Athanasius left the city at once and went up to the Thebaid. And when, after eight months, Julian died and his death was announced, Athanasius came back secretly by night to Alexandria. Then, on the 8th of Thoth, he embarked at the eastern Hierapolis, and met the emperor Jovian, who sent him away with honor. He sent this festal letter to all the country while he was being driven by persecution from Memphis to the Thebaid, and it was delivered as usual. Year 36 (363 to 364). In this year Easter Day was on the 9th of Pharmuthi, the day before the Nones of April, with the moon 16 days old. The epact was 3, the gods 4, and the indiction 7. The consuls were Jovian Augustus and Varronianus. The governor Aerius, of Damascus, was Prefect; he was succeeded by Maximus of Rapheotis, and he in turn by Flavianus the Illyrian. In this year the pope returned to Alexandria and the church on the 25th of Mechir. He sent the festal letter, as was the custom, from Antioch to all the bishops in all the province. Year 37 (364 to 365). In this year Easter Day was on the 1st of Pharmuthi, the 6th day before the Kalends of April, with the moon 19 days old. The epact was 14, the gods 5, and the indiction 8. The consuls were Valentinian Augustus for the first time and Valens Augustus. The same Flavianus the Illyrian was governor. We received the Caesareum. But again the pope, being persecuted with accusations, withdrew to the garden of the new river. A few days later, however, Barasides the notary came to him with the prefect and gained him entry into the church. Then, when an earthquake happened on the 27th of Epiphi, the sea came back from the east and destroyed many people, and much damage was done. [ao]

Year 38 (365 to 366). In this year Easter Day was on the 21st of Pharmuthi, the 16th day before the Kalends of May, with the moon 20 days old. The epact was 25, the gods 6, and the indiction 9. It was the first year of the consulship of Gratian, the son of Augustus, and Dagalaifus. The same governor, Flavianus, was Prefect. On the 27th of Epiphi the pagans made an attack, and the Caesareum was burned. As a result many of the citizens suffered great distress, while those who caused the disaster were condemned and exiled. After this, Proclianus the Macedonian became chief. [aq] Year 39 (366 to 367). In this year Easter Day was on the 6th of Pharmuthi, the Kalends of April, with the moon 16 days old. The epact was 6, the gods 7, and the indiction 10. The consuls were Lupicinus and Jovinus. The same Proclianus was governor, and he was succeeded by Tatianus of Lycia. In this year Lucius attempted to come in on the 26th of Thoth, and lay hidden by night in a house beside the enclosure of the church. When Tatianus the prefect and Trajanus the duke brought him out, he left the city, and was rescued in a wonderful way while the crowd was trying to kill him. In this year Athanasius wrote, setting out a canon of the Holy Scriptures. [ar] Year 40 (367 to 368). In this year Easter Day was on the 25th of Pharmuthi, the 12th day before the Kalends of May, with the moon 16 days old. The epact was 17, the gods 2, and the indiction 11. The consuls were Valentinian Augustus for the second time and Valens Augustus for the second. The same governor, Tatianus, was Prefect. Athanasius began to rebuild the Caesareum on the 6th of Pachon, having been honored with an imperial command by Trajanus the duke. He also found out the arsonists, and at once cleared away the rubble of the burned ruins, and restored the building in the month of Pachon. Year 41 (368 to 369). In this year Easter Day was on the 17th of Pharmuthi, the day before the Ides of April, with the moon 15 days old. The epact was 28, the gods 3, and the indiction 12. The consuls were Valentinian, the son of Augustus, for the first time, and Victor. The same Tatianus was governor. The pope began to build the church in Mendidium which bears his name, on the 25th of the month of Thoth, at the beginning of the 85th year of the Diocletian era. [as] Year 42 (369 to 370). In this year Easter Day was on the 2nd of Pharmuthi, the 5th day before the Kalends of April, with the moon 15 days old. The epact was 9, the gods 4, and the indiction 13. The consuls were Valentinian Augustus for the third time and Valens Augustus for the third. The same Tatianus was governor, and he was succeeded by Olympius Palladius, of Samosata. The pope finished the church called by his name at the close of the 86th year of the Diocletian era, and in that year he also celebrated its dedication, on the 14th of Mesori. [at] Year 43 (370 to 371). In this year Easter Day was on the 22nd of Pharmuthi, the 15th day before the Kalends of May, with the moon 16 days old. The epact was 20, the gods 5, and the indiction 14. The consuls were Gratian Augustus for the second time and Probus. The same Palladius was governor, and he was succeeded as Prefect of Egypt by Aelius Palladius, of Palestine, who was called Cyrus. Year 44 (371 to 372). In this year Easter Day was on the 13th of Pharmuthi, the 6th day before the Ides of April, with the moon 19 days old. The epact was 1, the gods 7, and the indiction 15. The consuls were Modestus and Arintheus. The same Aelius Palladius, called Cyrus, was governor and Prefect of Egypt. [au] Year 45 (372 to 373). In this year Easter Day was on the 5th of Pharmuthi, the day before the Kalends of April, with the moon 21 days old. The epact was 12, the gods 1, and the indiction 1. The consuls were Valentinian for the fourth time and Valens for the fourth. The same governor, Aelius Palladius, was Prefect of Egypt. At the close of this year, on the 7th of Pachon, Athanasius departed this life in a wonderful manner. [av]

Here end the headings of the Festal Letters of holy Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria.