Apology to the Emperor Constantius

Saint Athanasius the Great of Alexandria · c. 357 AD

Ante-Nicene Fathers (Roberts–Donaldson), Roberts, Donaldson, and Coxe (eds.), Ante-Nicene Fathers, Buffalo: Christian Literature Publishing, 1885–1887; digitized by CCEL.

Archbishop of Alexandria; the great defender of the Nicene faith during the long Arian controversy and the chief architect of the Orthodox understanding of the consubstantiality (ὁμοούσιος) of the Son with the Father. Exiled five times by Arianizing emperors. His On the Incarnation of the Word laid the foundation of all subsequent Christological reflection; his Discourses Against the Arians are the locus classicus of the Trinitarian and Christological argument against Arianism; his Life of Antony spread Egyptian monasticism throughout the Christian world. Numbered among the Three Holy Hierarchs and the Pillars of Orthodoxy.

Contents

1. Defence Before Constantius
2. The first charge, of setting Constans against Constantius.
3. He never saw Constans alone.
4. The movements of Athanasius refute this charge.
5. No possible time or place for the alleged offence.
6. The second charge, of corresponding with Magnentius.
7. This charge utterly incredible and absurd.
8. Disproof of It.
9. Athanasius could not write to one who did not even know him.
10. His loyalty towards Constantius and his brother.
11. Challenge to the accusers as to the alleged letter.
12. Truth the defence of Thrones.
13. This charge rests on forgery.
14. The third charge, of using an undedicated Church.
15. Want of room the cause, precedent the justification.
16. Better to pray together than separately.
17. Better to pray in a building than in the desert.
18. Prayers first do not interfere with dedication afterwards.
19. Fourth charge, of having disobeyed an Imperial order.
20. History of his disobeying it.
21. Section 21
22. Arrivals of Diogenes and of Syrianus.
23. A copy of the letter as follows:
24. Why Athanasius did not obey the Imperial Order.
25. The irruption of Syrianus.
26. How Athanasius acted when this took place.
27. Athanasius leaves Alexandria to go to Constantius, but is stopped by the news of the banishment of the Bishops.
28. The news of the intrusion of George.
29. Athanasius has heard of his own proscription.
30. A copy of the letter of Constantius against Athanasius.
31. Letter of Constantius to the Ethiopians against Frumentius.
32. He defends his Flight.
33. Conduct of the Arians towards the consecrated Virgins.
34. He expostulates with Constantius.
35. Section 35