Constantine’s testimony about the council is found in seven of his surviving letters and edicts, the first written before the council, and the other six written just after the council. Rather than excerpting sections, hotlinks are provided below to the text and translations of these important documents. In addition, there is a reference to his memories of Nicaea in Dok. 37, a letter to Alexander of Alexandria written several years after the council. Its relevant sections are cited below.

Dok. 22  Constantine’s letter changing the council’s venue to Nicaea

Dok. 27  Constantine’s letter to Arius

Dok. 28   The imperial condemnation of Arius

Dok. 29  Constantine’s letter to the Alexandrian church

Dok. 30  Constantine’s letter on the celebration of Easter

Dok. 31  Constantine’s letter to the church of Nicomedia

Dok. 32  Constantine’s letter to Theodotus of Laodicea

Dok. 37  Constantine’s letter to Alexander of Alexandria (327)

Anonym. Ch. History 3.15.1-5

15.2. Ἄρειον, Ἄρειον ἐκεῖνον λέγω πρὸς ἐμὲ τὸν Σεβαστὸν ἐλθεῖν ἐκ παρακλήσεως πλείστων ὅσων, ἐκεῖνα φρονεῖν περὶ τῆς καθολικῆς πίστεως ἡμῶν ἐπαγγελλόμενον, ἅπερ ἐν τῇ κατὰ Νίκαιαν συνόδῳ δι ̓ ὑμῶν ὡρίσθη καὶ ἐκρατύνθη παρόντος καὶ συνορίζοντος κἀμοῦ τοῦ ὑμετέρου συνθεράποντος.15.2 Arius, the famous Arius, I say, has come to me, the emperor, at the request of very many people. He promises that he has the same thoughts concerning our catholic faith as were determined and confirmed through you at the council in Nicaea, where I too was present and joined in the determination as your fellow servant.
15.4. … εἴπερ οῦν τῆς ἐν Νικαίᾳ ἐκτεθείσης ὀρθῆς καὶ εἰς ἀεὶ ζώσης ἀποστολικῆς πίστεως ἀντιποιουμένους αὐτοὺς εὕρητε (τοῦτο γὰρ καὶ ἐφ ̓ ἡμῶν φρονε͂ιν διεβεβαιώσαντο), προνοήσατε πάντων, παρακαλῶ.15.4 If you find that they are seeking the true and ever-living apostolic faith formulated in Nicaea (for they have also assured us that this is their opinion), take care of them all, I urge you.

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Last updated 2025-4-15 by JSW

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