CHAPTER IX

BANISHMENT AND FLIGHT OF ST. ATHANASIUS

AT this juncture Athanasius, that heroic combatant and champion of truth, was again exposed to another perilous conflict. The demons, not being able to resist the power of the teaching, and of the prayers of Athanasius, furnished their own agents with invectives against him. Anions other statements which they laid before the patron of impiety, to induce him to expel Athanasius, they told him, that if the bishop were suffered to remain unmolested, there would not be one Pagan left, for that he led them all to espouse his own sentiments. Julian acceded to their petition, and commanded that Athanasius should not only be banished, but that he should be put to death. The followers of Athanasius were struck with horror at this announcement; but he said to them, “This commotion will quickly terminate: it is a cloud which appears and then vanishes away.” He however retired when he heard of the arrival of those sent to carry the edict into execution; and finding a vessel lying near the bank of the stream, he embarked and sailed to Thebes. Those who had been commanded to kill him, on being apprised of his escape, pursued him with all their might. One of his friends, however, distanced them in the pursuit; and, on his communicating the intelligence, those who were with Athanasius besought him to disembark, and to flee to the desert. He, however, directed the helmsman to steer straight to Alexandria. While they were pursuing this course, the officer who was entrusted with the command of slaying him overtook him, and asked him where Athanasius was. “He is near,” replied he; and passed on. He reached Alexandria, and remained there in concealment during the rest of Julian’s life.