Reference Dok. 37, Urk. 32, CPG 2021
Incipit Καὶ νῦν ἆρα ὁ παμμίαρος
Date early 328
Ancient source Anonymous Church History, 3.15.1-5
Modern editions Hanson, GCS N.F. 92 (2002):136-137

The council held at Nicomedia at the very end of 327 or beginning of 328 (see Dok. 36), seems to have re-admitted not only Eusebius of Nicomedia and Theognis of Nicaea, but also Arius, as well as his fellow-priest Euzoius.  Alexander of Alexandria, however, had not attended the council. As a result, Constantine wrote him a letter  (Dok. 37) urging him to accept the council’s decision on Arius (cf. Barnes, Athanasius and Constantius, 18). Only the Anonymous Church History has preserved part of this letter.

The Greek text of this account was preserved only in the Anonymous Church History (CPG 6034), 3.15.1-5. The text below accords with that of Hansen (GCS N.F. 92; Berlin: De Gruyter, 2002), 136-137. The English translation was produced for FCC by Robert Read and Philip Balge. See also the translation of A. Zenos (NPNF2 2:19-20).

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Anonym. Ch. History 3.15.1-5
14.1 Ὁμοίως δὲ καὶ Ἀλεξάνδρῳ τῷ ἐπισκόπῳ ὑπὲρ Ἀρείου τὰ ἴσα ἔγραφεν· 14.1 In a similar way he [Constantine] wrote to Bishop Alexander on behalf of Arius:
Νικητὴς Κωνσταντῖνος Μέγιστος Σεβαστὸς πατρὶ Ἀλεξάνδρῳ ἐπισκόπῳ. “Victor Constantinus Maximus Augustus, to our father, Bishop Alexander.
15.1 Καὶ νῦν ἄρα ὁ παμμίαρος φθόνος ἀνοσίοις ὑπερθέσεως σοφίσμασιν ἀνθυλακτήσει; τί οὖν πρὸς τὸ παρόν; ἕτερα παρὰ τὰ ὑπὸ τοῦ ἁγίου πνεύματος δι ̓ ὑμῶν κεκριμένα δογματίζομεν, ἀδελφὲ τιμιώτατε;15.1 Will malice, always abominable, even now bark back with profane sophisms to cause delay? ‘What, then, is the issue at hand? Do we teach other doctrine, contrary to the verdict decided by the Holy Spirit through you, most honored brother?
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, Augustus, 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.
15.3. παραχρῆμα οὖν οὗτος ἅμα σὺν Εὐζωίῳ, γνόντες δηλονότι τὴν τοῦ βασιλικοῦ προστάγματος βούλησιν, ἀφίκοντο πρὸς ἡμᾶς. διειλέχθην οὖν αὐτοῖς παρόντων πλειόνων περὶ τοῦ λόγου τῆς ζωῆς. Ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ ἄνθρωπος ἐκεῖνος, ὅς τὸν νοῦν τὸν ἑμαυτοῦ μετὰ πίστεως εἰλικρινοῦς ἀνέθηκα τῷ θεῷ· ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ ὑμέτερος συνθεράπων, ὅς πᾶσαν τὴν περὶ τῆς ἡμετέρας εἰρήνης καὶ ὁμονοίας ἐπανῄμαι φροντίδα. 15.3. So he immediately came to us along with Euzoius, for they had learned the purpose of the imperial order. I debated with them in the presence of many others about the word of life. I myself am the one who has dedicated my mind to God with sincere faith; I myself am your fellow servant, who has taken up all concern for our peace and unity.”
Καὶ μεθ ̓ ἕτερα· (And further on:)
15.4. ἐπέστειλα τοιγαροῦν οὐ μόνον ἀναμιμνήσκων, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἀξιῶν ὑποδέξασθαι τοὺς ἀνθρώπους ἱκετεύοντας. 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. ἐὰν γᾶρ τούτων ποιήσητε πρόνοιαν, τά μίση τῃ ὁμονοίᾳ νικήσαιτε ἄν.15.4. Therefore I am writing not only to remind you, but also with the expectation that you receive those who come in supplication. 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. For if you should make provision for them, you could conquer hatred with unity.
15.5. ἐπικουρήσατε οὖν, παρακαλῶ, τῇ ὁμονοίᾳ, συνεισενέγκατε τὰ τῆς φιλίας καλὰ πρὸς τοῦς τὰ τῆς πίστεως μὴ διακρινομένους, ποιήσατέ με ἀκοῦσαι ταῦτα, ἁπερ βούλομαι καὶ ἐπιθυμῶ, τὴν τῶν πάντων ὑμῶν εἰρήνην καὶ ὁμόνοιαν.15.5. Therefore support unity, I urge you; transmit the values of friendship to those not parted from the faith; let me hear what I wish and desire—peace and unity between you all.
Ὁ θεός σε διαφυλάξαι, πάτερ τιμιώτατε. May God preserve you, most honorable father.

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