Second Letter to Lucifer

To the most glorious lord and fellow bishop Lucifer, deservedly much longed for, Athanasius sends greeting in the Lord. [a]

I believe that news has reached your holiness too of the persecution that the enemies of Christ have just now tried to stir up, seeking our blood. Still, our own most beloved messengers can tell your piety about it. They dared to carry their madness so far, by means of the soldiers, that they not only banished the clergy of the city, but also went out to the hermits and laid their deadly hands on those who live alone. So I too withdrew far away, so that those who sheltered me would not suffer trouble at their hands. For is there anyone the Arians spare, when they have not spared even their own souls? Or how can they give up their shameful deeds while they persist in denying Christ our Lord, the only Son of God? This is the root of their wickedness. On this foundation of sand they build up their perverse ways, as we find it written in the thirteenth Psalm: “The fool has said in his heart, There is no God,” and then follows, “They are corrupt and have become abominable in their works.” That is why the Jews, who denied the Son of God, deserved to be called “a sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children without law.” Why “without law”? Because you have deserted the Lord. And so the most blessed Paul, once he had begun not only to believe in the Son of God but also to preach that he is God, wrote, “I know nothing against myself.” So we too, in keeping with your confession of faith, desire to hold to the apostolic tradition and to live by the commands of the divine law, so that we may be found together with you in that company in which patriarchs, prophets, apostles and martyrs are now rejoicing. [b]

The Arian madness, helped by outside power, has been so active that because of their fury our brothers and sisters could not even go out into the open air freely. Yet by God’s favor, and in answer to your prayers, I have been able, though with trouble and danger, to see the brother who usually brings me what I need and the letters of your holiness, along with those of others. And so we have received the books of your most wise and religious soul. In them we have seen the image of an apostle, the confidence of a prophet, the teaching of truth, the doctrine of the true faith, the way of heaven, the glory of martyrdom, the triumphs over the Arian heresy, the unbroken tradition of our fathers, and the right rule of the church’s order. Truly you are Lucifer, who, as your name says, bring the light of truth and have set it on a lampstand to give light to all. For who, except the Arians, does not see clearly from your teaching what the true faith is, and what the taint of the Arians is? Forcefully and admirably, like light from darkness, you have separated the truth from the subtlety and dishonesty of the heretics. You have defended the catholic church, proved that the arguments of the Arians are nothing but a kind of hallucination, and taught that the devilish gnashing of teeth is to be despised. How good and welcome are your exhortations to martyrdom! How greatly to be desired you have shown death on behalf of Christ, the Son of the living God, to be! What love you have shown for the world to come and for the heavenly life! You seem to be a true temple of the Savior, who lives in you and speaks these very words through you, and who has given such grace to your discourses.

You were loved by everyone before, but now such passionate affection for you has settled in everyone’s mind that they call you the Elijah of our times. And no wonder. For if those who seem to please God are called sons of God, it is much more fitting to give that name to the companions of the prophets, that is, the confessors, and especially to you. Believe me, Lucifer, it is not you alone who has spoken this, but the Holy Spirit with you. Where does so great a memory for the Scriptures come from? Where does so sound a sense and understanding of them come from? How was so orderly a discourse put together? Where did you get such exhortations to the way of heaven, such confidence against the devil, and such proofs against the heretics, unless the Holy Spirit had made his dwelling in you? So rejoice to see that you are already where your predecessors the martyrs are, that is, among the company of the angels. We rejoice too, having you as an example of courage, patience and freedom. I blush to say anything about what you have written concerning me, so as not to seem a flatterer. But I know and believe that the Lord himself, who has revealed all knowledge to your holy and religious spirit, will reward you for this labor too, with a reward in the kingdom of heaven.

Since you are such a man, then, we ask the Lord in prayer that you will pray for us: that in his mercy he may now deign to look down on the catholic church and deliver all his servants from the hands of their persecutors, so that all those too who have fallen through fear of the things of this passing life may at last be able to rise again and return to the way of righteousness. Led away from it, they are wandering, poor people, not knowing what a pit they are in. In particular I ask that, if I have said anything amiss, you will kindly overlook it. From so great a fountain my lack of skill has not been able to draw what it might have. As for our brothers and sisters, I ask you again to forgive my not having been able to see them. Truth itself is my witness that I wanted and longed to manage it, and was deeply grieved that I could not. My eyes have not stopped weeping, nor my spirit groaning, because we are not allowed even to see the brothers and sisters. God is my witness that because of their persecution I have not been able to see even the parents I have. For what is there that the Arians leave undone? They watch the roads, keep an eye on those who enter and leave the city, search the vessels, go round the deserts, ransack houses, harass the brothers and sisters, and cause unrest to everyone. But thanks be to God, in doing this they are more and more bringing on themselves the curses of all, and coming to be known for what they truly are, what your holiness has called them: slaves of Antichrist. And, poor wretches, hated as they are, they persist in their malice, until they are condemned to the death of their ancestor Pharaoh. Those with me greet your piety. Please greet those who are with you. May the divine grace of God keep you, mindful of us and blessed always, rightly called man of God, servant of Christ, partner of the apostles, comfort of the brotherhood, teacher of truth, and in all things most longed for.