I must mention an amazing deed which the all-victorious emperor performed during the council. When all the bishops gathered, as is the custom, some of the bishops introduced investigations and controversies over quarrels they had with each other. When they filed indictments and brought their charges before the pious emperor, he accepted the indictments, sealed them with his signet ring, and ordered that they be put in safekeeping.[1]

Having observed the shared strife between these bishops, he said that they should all meet on a specific day to sort out these issues. When the appointed day came, the emperor took a seat in the middle, and when everyone had fallen silent, as was fitting for the occasion, he had everyone’s indictments brought in. Then he took them and put them on his lap. As he did not want to examine them, he spoke as follows:[2] 

“God appointed you priests and gave you power even to judge us, and for that reason we are rightly judged by you. You, however, are not able to be judged by men.[3] All these accusations will be brought forward in their own time at the great day of judgment, and there they will be judged by the great Judge of all men. It is not right to drag out a hearing like this against each other before me, a man, when the accuser and the accused are both priests. Priests ought to present themselves in a way that never falls under the judgment of others. Imitate, therefore, the divine love and mercy of God, and be reconciled to one another. Withdraw your accusations against each other.[4]

For this reason then, wait for God alone to judge between you and your grievances. Whatever they are, reserve them for that divine examination.[5] For you stand above all people, according to the Scripture, ‘I said, “You are gods; you are all sons of the Most High”’ [Ps. 82:6].[6] You, on the other hand, are given to us by God to be like gods, and it is not fitting for a man to judge gods except that one alone about whom it is written, ‘God has taken his place in the congregation of the gods; he gives judgment among the gods [Ps. 82:1].’ Therefore set these things aside and, without any dispute in your hearts, focus yourself on those things which pertain to the faith of God.”[7] 

After the emperor had delivered this speech in Latin and it was translated into Greek by an interpreter, he then opened the floor to the leaders of the council to speak.[8] After a reconciliation had been effected, he brought out the indictments and burned them in their presence, at the same time declaring under oath that he had not read a word of them. He said that the crimes of priests ought not to be made known to the public, lest they should cause offense, and lead them to have no fear of sinning.[9] Such was the emperor’s reverence for the priests of God. All who think clearly should admire this reverence.[10] The emperor met with the bishops for many days and even years, discussing matters of faith with them and gathering their various opinions.[11]

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Last updated: 12-19-2024 by JSW

[1] Gel. CH f.12b = ACH 2.8.1.

[2] Gel. CH f.12b = ACH 2.8.2.

[3] Ruf. CH 10.2. The parallel accounts make this section confusing, although the subject and general content are common to all. Our reconstruction is tentative.

[4] Soz. CH 1.17.4.

[5] Ruf. CH 10.2.

[6] Gel. CH f.12 = ACH 2.8.3.

[7] Ruf. CH 10.2.

[8] Eus. LC 3.13.

[9] Theod. CH 1.11.4.

[10] Gel. CH f.12b = AHC 2.8.4. AHC 2.8.5-7 records similar accusations brought by laymen to Constantine which he also burned.

[11] Gel. CH f.12c = AHC 2.8.8. Because of the “even years”, this may refer to Constantine’s previous contacts with various bishops, not his actions during the council.

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