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Those convened at Sardica, as well as those who had formed a separate
council at Philippopolis in Thrace, having severally performed what
they deemed requisite, returned to their respective cities. From that
time, therefore, the Western church was severed from the Eastern;
and the boundary of communion between them was the mountain called
Soucis, which divides the Illyrians from the Thracians. As far as
this mountain there was indiscriminate communion, although there was a
difference of faith; but beyond it they did not commune with one
another. Such was the perturbed condition of the churches at that
period. Soon after these transactions, the emperor of the Western
parts informed his brother Constantius of what had taken place at
Sardica, and begged him to restore Paul and Athanasius to their
sees. But as Constantius delayed to carry this matter into effect,
the emperor of the West again wrote to him, giving him the choice
either of re-establishing Paul and Athanasius in their former
dignity, and restoring their churches to them; or, on his failing to
do this, of regarding him as his enemy, and immediately expecting
war. The letter which he addressed to his brother was as follows:
'Athanasius and Paul are here with me; and I am quite satisfied
after investigation, that they are persecuted for the sake of piety.
If, therefore, you will pledge yourself to reinstate them in their
sees, and to punish those who have so unjustly injured them, I will
send them to you; but should you refuse to do this, be assured, that
I will myself come thither, and restore them to their own sees, in
spite of your opposition.'
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