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AFTER these things, Syrian, the military commander, and the
corps of heavy armed soldiers, five thousand in number, conducted
Gregory to Alexandria; and such of the citizens as were of Arian
sentiments combined with them. But it will be proper here to relate by
what means Athanasius escaped the hands of those who wished to
apprehend him, after his expulsion from the church. It was evening,
and the people were attending the vigil there, a service being
expected. The commander arrived, and posted his forces in order of
battle on every side of the church. Athanasius having observed what
was done, considered within himself how he might prevent the people's
suffering in any degree on his account: accordingly having directed the
deacon to give notice of prayer, after that he ordered the recitation
of a psalm; and when the melodious chant of the psalm arose, all went
out through one of the church doors. While this was doing, the troops
remained inactive spectators, and Athanasius thus escaped unhurt in
the midst of those who were chanting the psalm, and immediately
hastened to Rome. Gregory then prevailed in the church: but the
people of Alexandria, being indignant at this procedure, set the
church called that of Dionysius on fire. Let this be sufficient on
this subject. Now Eusebius, having thus far obtained his object,
sent a deputation to Julius, bishop of Rome, begging that he would
himself take cognizance of the charges against Athanasius, and order a
judicial investigation to be made in his presence.
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