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ABOUT this period Alexander, bishop of Alexandria, when about
to depart this life, left Athanasius as his successor, in
accordance, I am convinced, with the Divine will directing the vote
upon him. It is said that Athanasius at first sought to avoid the
honor by flight, but that he, although unwilling, was afterwards
constrained by Alexander to accept the bishopric. This is testified
by Apolinarius, the Syrian, in the following terms: "In all these
matters much disturbance was excited by impiety, but its first effects
were felt by the blessed teacher of this man, who was at hand as an
assistant, and behaved as a son would to his father. Afterwards this
holy man himself underwent the same experience, for when appointed to
the episcopal succession he fled to escape the honor; but he was
discovered in his place of concealment by the help of God, who had
forecast by Divine manifestations to his blessed predecessor, that the
succession was to devolve upon him. For when Alexander was on the
point of death, he called upon Athanasius, who was then absent. One
who bore the same name, and who happened to be present, on hearing him
call this way, answered him; but to him Alexander was silent, since
he was not summoning this man. Again he called, and as it often
happens, the one present kept still, and so the absent one was
disclosed. Moreover, the blessed Alexander prophetically exclaimed,
'O Athanasius, thou thinkest to escape, but thou wilt not
escape'; meaning that Athanasius would be called to the conflict."
Such is the account given by Apolinarius respecting Athanasius.
The Arians assert that after the death of Alexander, the respective
followers of that bishop and of Melitius held communion together, and
fifty four bishops from Thebes, and other parts of Egypt, assembled
together, and agreed by oath to choose by a common vote, the man who
could advantageously administer the Church of Alexandria; but that
seven a of the bishops, in violation of their oath, and contrary to
the opinion of all, secretly ordained Athanasius; and that on this
account many of the people and of the Egyptian clergy seceded from
communion with him. For my part, I am convinced that it was by
Divine appointment that Athanasius succeeded to the high-priesthood;
for he was eloquent and intelligent, and capable of opposing plots,
and of such a man the times had the greatest need. He displayed great
aptitude in the exercise of the ecclesiastical functions and fitness for
the priesthood, and was, so to speak, from his earliest years,
self-taught. It is said that the following incident occurred to him
in his youth. It was the custom of the Alexandrians to celebrate with
great pomp an annual festival in honor of one of their bishops named
Peter, who had suffered martyrdom. Alexander, who then conducted
the church, engaged in the celebration of this festival, and after
having completed the worship, he remained on the spot, awaiting the
arrival of some guests whom he expected to breakfast. In the meantime
he chanced to cast his eyes towards the sea, and perceived some
children playing on the shore, and amusing themselves by imitating the
bishop and the ceremonies of the Church. At first he considered the
mimicry as innocent, and took pleasure in witnessing it; but when they
touched upon the unutterable, he was troubled, and communicated the
matter to the chief of the clergy. The children were called together
and questioned as to the game at which they were playing, and as to
what they did and said when engaged in this amusement. At first they
through fear denied; but when Alexander threatened them with torture,
they confessed that Athanasius was their bishop and leader, and that
many children who had not been initiated had been baptized by him.
Alexander carefully inquired what the priest of their play was in the
habit of saying or doing, and what they answered or were taught. On
finding that the exact routine of the Church had been accurately
observed by them, he consulted the priests around him on the subject,
and decided that it would he unnecessary to rebaptize those who, in
their simplicity, had been judged worthy of the Divine grace. He
therefore merely performed for them such offices as it is lawful only
for those who are consecrated to initiating the mysteries. He then
took Athanasius and the other children, who had playfully acted as
presbyters and deacons, to their own relations under God as a witness
that they might be brought up for the Church, and for leadership in
what they had imitated. Not long after, he took Athanasius as his
table companion and secretary. He had been well educated, was versed
in grammar and rhetoric, and already when he came to man's estate,
and before he attained the bishopric, he gave proof to those conversing
with him of his being a man of wisdom and intellectuality. But when,
on the death of Alexander, the succession devolved upon him, his
reputation was greatly increased, and was sustained by his own private
virtues and by the testimony of the monk, Antony the Great. This
monk repaired to him when he requested his presence, visited the
cities, accompanied him to the churches, and agreed with him in
opinion concerning the Godhead. He evinced unlimited friendship
towards him, and avoided the society of his enemies and opponents.
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