Imperator, Deus by John R. Prann Jr

Author:John R. Prann Jr. [John R. Prann, Jr.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781480837393
Publisher: Archway Publishing
Published: 2016-11-08T05:00:00+00:00

Nicomedia, Asia Minor

Spring 1077 AUC (324 AD)

Arius sat across from Eusebius. Trees along the edges of stone patio next to Eusebius’ Church shaded them from the bright spring sun while they ate lunch. Arius had decided not to speak of Church matters, at least for one day. He’d planned to focus instead on a flock of birds that he’d recently noticed.

And then one of Eusebius’ deacons brought them a letter. Eusebius looked at it quickly, shook his head and then handed it to Arius.

It was a carefully made copy of an original letter between the two Alexanders—Bishop Alexander of Alexandria and Bishop Alexander of Byzantium. It was, nominally, from one bishop to another. But Arius recognized its real author immediately. It was divided into fourteen sections. And strident from the first few words.

“Athanasius has outdone himself,” Arius said.

Eusebius nodded and examined one of the olives on his plate.

“I’ve heard about this letter. I’d hoped I could avoid seeing it.”

“Agreed. Yet here it is. Shall I read it?”

“I suppose. I’ll try not to let it ruin my appetite.”

Arius drank some water and unscrolled the letter to read the first of several pages.

To the most reverend and like-minded brother Alexander, Alexander sends greeting in the Lord.

The ambitious and avaricious will of wicked men is always wont to lay snares against those churches which seem greater, by various pretexts attacking the ecclesiastical piety of such. For incited by the devil who works in them, to the lust of that which is set before them, and throwing away all religious scruples, they trample under foot the fear of the judgment of God. Concerning which things, I who suffer, have thought it necessary to show to your piety, in order that you may be aware of such men, lest any of them presume to set foot in your dioceses, whether by themselves or by others; for these sorcerers know how to use hypocrisy to carry out their fraud; and to employ letters composed and dressed out with lies, which are able to deceive a man who is intent upon a simple and sincere faith.

Arius, therefore, and Achilles, having lately entered into a conspiracy, emulating the ambition of Colluthus, have turned out far worse than he. For Colluthus, indeed, who reprehends these very men, found some pretext for his evil purpose; but these, beholding his battering of Christ, endured no longer to be subject to the Church; but building for themselves dens of thieves, they hold their assemblies in them unceasingly, night and day directing their calumnies against Christ and against us.

Eusebius had stopped eating. But that wasn’t enough. He clicked his tongue. “Here we go again. I do all the work concocting these calumnies and heresies—and Athanasius gives you all the glory.”

Arius laughed, drank more water and continued reading.

For since they call in question all pious and apostolical doctrine, after the manner of the Jews, they have constructed a workshop for contending against Christ, denying the Godhead of our Savior, and preaching that He is only the equal of all others.

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