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WHEN it was found that the event did not answer the expectations of
the emperor, but that on the contrary, the contention was too great
for reconciliation, so that he who had been sent to make peace returned
without having accomplished his mission, Constantine convened a synod
at Nicaea, in Bithynia, and wrote to the most eminent men of the
churches in every country, directing them to be there on an appointed
day. Of those who occupied the apostolic sees, the following
participated in this conference: Macarius of Jerusalem,
Eustathius, who already presided over the church of Antioch on the
Orontes; and Alexander of Alexandria near Lake Mareotis.
Julius, bishop of Rome, was unable to attend on account of extreme
old age; but his place was supplied by Vito and Vicentius,
presbyters of his church. Many other excellent and good men from
different nations were congregated together, of whom some were
celebrated for their learning, their eloquence, and their knowledge of
the sacred books, and other discipline; some for the virtuous tenor of
their life, and others for the combination of all these
qualifications. About three hundred and twenty bishops were present,
accompanied by a multitude of presbyters and deacons. There were,
likewise, men present who were skilled in dialectics, and ready to
assist in the discussions. And as was usually the case on such
occasions, many priests resorted to the council for the purpose of
transacting their own private affairs; for they considered this a
favorable opportunity for rectifying their grievances, and in what
points each found fault with the rest, he presented a document to the
emperor, wherein he noted the offenses committed against himself. As
this course was pursued day after day, the emperor set apart one
certain day on which all complaints were to be brought before him.
When the appointed time arrived, he took the memorials which had been
presented to him, and said, "All these accusations will be brought
forward in their own season at the great day of judgment, and will
there be judged by the Great Judge of all men; as to me, I am but a
man, and it would be evil in me to take cognizance of such matters,
seeing that the accuser and the accused are priests; and the priests
ought so to act as never to become amenable to the judgment of others.
Imitate, therefore, the divine love and mercy of God, and be ye
reconciled to one another; withdraw your accusations against each
other; let us be persuaded, and let us devote our attention to those
subjects connected with the faith on account of which we are
assembled." After this address, in order to make the document of
each man nugatory, the emperor commanded the memorials to be burnt,
and then appointed a day for solving the doubtful points. But before
the appointed time arrived, the bishops assembled together, and having
summoned Arius to attend, began to examine the disputed topics, each
one amongst them advancing his own opinion. As might have been
expected, however, many different questions started out of the
investigation: some of the bishops spoke against the introduction of
novelties contrary to the faith which had been delivered to them from
the beginning. And those especially who had adhered to simplicity of
doctrine argued that the faith of God ought to be received without
curious inquiries; others, however, contended that ancient opinions
ought not to be followed without examination. Many of the bishops who
were then assembled, and of the clergy who accompanied them, being
remarkable for their dialectic skill, and practiced in such rhetorical
methods, became conspicuous, and attracted the notice of the emperor
and the court. Of that number Athanasius, who was then a deacon of
Alexandria, and had accompanied his bishop Alexander, seemed to have
the largest share in the counsel concerning these subjects.
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