This council was convened (as we have discovered from the notation of the date prefixed to the record of the council) during the consulate of Paulinus and Julian, on the 20th of May, in the 636th year from the period of Alexander the Macedonian.[1]

The emperor too, after celebrating the festival of his victory over Licinius, met them in person in Nicaea [ June 19].[2]  Now when the appointed day arrived on which the council met to find a final solution to the questions under dispute, each member was present for this in the central building of the palace, which appeared to exceed the rest in magnitude. On each side of the interior the many seats were arranged in order, to be occupied by the invited attendees according to their rank. As soon, then, as the whole assembly sat down in orderly fashion, there arose a general silence in expectation of the emperor’s arrival. First three of his immediate family entered one after another. Others then preceded his arrival, not the usual soldiers or guards who would accompany him, but only friends in the faith. And now, all rising at the signal which indicated the emperor’s entrance, he himself at last processed through the middle of the assembly, like some heavenly messenger of God, his clothes glittering as if they were rays of light, reflecting the glowing radiance of his purple robe, and adorned with the brilliant splendor of gold and precious stones. Such was the external appearance of his person.

With regard to Constantine’s mind, it was evident that he was distinguished by piety and godly fear. This was indicated by his downcast eyes, the blush on his countenance, and his gait. As for the rest of what distinguished him personally, he surpassed all present in the height of his stature and the beauty of his form, as well as in the majestic dignity of his appearance and his invincible strength and vigor. All these united in a graceful demeanor, together with a calmness suitable to his imperial position, proclaimed that the excellence of his mental qualities was beyond all praise. When he had advanced to the upper end of the seats, he remained standing at first. Then, when a low chair made of gold had been set out for him, he still waited until the bishops had signaled to him before he sat down. After him, the entire assembly did the same.[3]

Immediately, before anyone else, the great Eustathius, bishop of Antioch, arose. By the unanimous vote of the bishops, priests, and Christ-loving laity he had been compelled to reluctantly become the successor of the aforementioned Philogonius when the latter passed into the better life. He now crowned the emperor’s head with the flowers of panegyric and commended him for how diligently he had paid attention to church affairs.[4]

When he had resumed his seat, silence ensued, and all regarded the emperor with fixed attention. He looked around the assembly calmly and cheerfully, and, having collected his thoughts, in a relaxed and gentle tone spoke the following words.

 “It was once my chief desire, dearest friends, to enjoy the spectacle of your united presence. Now that this desire is fulfilled, I feel myself bound to give thanks to God the universal King because, in addition to all his other benefits, he has granted me a blessing higher than all the rest in permitting me to see you not only all assembled together, but all united in a common harmony of sentiment. I pray therefore that no malicious adversary may from this time on interfere to disrupt our happy condition. I pray that, now the impious hostility of the tyrants has been forever removed by the power of God our Savior, that spirit who delights in evil may devise no other means for exposing the divine law to blasphemous slander. For, in my judgment, internal strife within the church of God is far more evil and dangerous than any kind of war or conflict, and these our differences appear to me more grievous than any outward trouble.

Accordingly, when by the will and with the cooperation of God I had been victorious over my enemies, I thought that nothing more remained but to render thanks to him and to join in the joy of those whom he had restored to freedom through me. As soon as I heard that news which I least expected to receive, I mean the news of your dissension, I judged it to be of no secondary importance, but with the earnest desire that I might help find a remedy for this evil, I immediately sent to require your presence. And now I rejoice in beholding your assembly!

But I feel that my desires will be most completely fulfilled only when I can see you all united in one judgment, and with that common spirit of peace and concord prevailing among you all. It is fitting that you who are consecrated to the service of God commend this to others. Delay not, then, dear friend! Delay not, you ministers of God and faithful servants of him who is our common Lord and Savior! Begin from this moment to abandon the causes of that disunion which has existed among you and remove the perplexities of controversy by embracing the principles of peace. For by such conduct you will at the same time be acting both in a manner most pleasing to the supreme God, and you will confer a great favor on me, your fellow servant.[5] For the gospels, the apostolic writings, and the oracles of the ancient prophets clearly teach us what we ought to believe concerning the divine nature. Therefore let all contentious disputation be discarded, and let us seek in the divinely inspired Word the solution of the questions at issue.”[6]

The wise emperor offered these and similar words to his fathers the priests like a child who loves his father, trying to understand the apostolic beliefs. Most members of the council, won over by his arguments, established concord among themselves and embraced sound doctrine.[7]

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Last updated: 12-19-2024 by JSW

[1] Soc. CH 1.13.12.  May 20, 325. Rather than counting from the death of Alexander, Socrates is actually using the more common Seuleucid era designation which counts from 311 BC. The chronology is somewhat confused in the sources. It seems that the bishops began gathering in early May and that is when some of the preliminary philosophical debates took place. An official opening took place on May 20, if Socrates is accurate. The emperor did not arrive until June 19 at which time a second ceremony took place. The creed was adopted on June 19, and the council adjourned officially on August 25.

[2] Gel. CH f.11 = ACH 2.6.1.

[3] Eus. LC 3.10.

[4] Theod. CH 1.7.10. Eus. LC 3.11 says “The bishop who occupied the chief place in the right division of the assembly” gave this speech. Soz. CH 1.19.2 indicates Eusebius himself “rose and delivered a speech in honor of the emperor, giving thanks to God because of him.” It would not have been out of place for there to be two initial panegyrical welcome speeches.

[5] Eus. LC 3.11-12.

[6] Theod. CH 1.7.12. ACH 2.7.1-41 gives a much lengthier speech of Constantine, but it has generally been dismissed as an invention. However, it concludes with the same words preserved by Theodoret. The latter also says that Constantine spoke “these and similar words,” indicating that his own account was shortened.

[7] Theod. CH 1.7.13 = ACH 2.7.1-42.

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