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AFTER there had been many synods held in Egypt, and the contest
had still continued to Increase in violence, the report of the
dissension reached the palace, and Constantine was thereby greatly
troubled; for just at this period, when religion was beginning to be
more generally propagated, many were deterred by the difference in
doctrines from embracing Christianity. The emperor openly charged
Arius and Alexander with having originated this disturbance, and
wrote to rebuke them for having made a controversy public which it was
in their power to have concealed, and for having contentiously agitated
a question which ought never to have been mooted, or upon which, at
least, their opinion ought to have been given quietly. He told them
that they ought not to have separated from others on account of
difference of sentiment concerning certain points of doctrine.
For concerning the Divine Providence men ought necessarily to hold
one and the same belief; but the minute researches in this province,
especially if they do not bring them to the one opinion, must be
retained in secret according to all reason. He exhorted them to put
away all loose talk about such points, and to be of one mind; for he
had been not a little grieved, and on this account he had renounced his
intention of visiting the cities of the East. It was in this strain
that he wrote to Alexander and to Arius, reproving and exhorting them
both.
Constantine was also deeply grieved at the diversity of opinion which
prevailed concerning the celebration of the Passover; for some of the
cities in the East differed on this point, although they did not
withhold from communion with one another; they kept the festival more
according to the manner of the Jews, and as was natural by this
divergence, detracted from the splendor of the festal sacrifice. The
emperor zealously endeavored to remove both these causes of dissension
from the church; and thinking to be able to remove the evil before it
advanced to greater proportions, be sent one who was honored for his
faith, his virtuous life, and most approved in those former times for
his confessions about this doctrine, to reconcile those who were
divided on account of doctrine in Egypt, and those who in the East
differed about the Passover.This man was Hosius, bishop of
Cordova.
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