CHAPTER XXVIII

ON ACCOUNT OF THE CHARGES AGAINST ATHANASIUS, THE EMPEROR DIRECTS A SYNOD OF BISHOPS TO BE HELD AT TYRE

THE emperor had ordered a Synod of Bishops to be present at the consecration of the church which he had erected at Jerusalem. He therefore directed that before they met there, they should on their way first assemble at Tyre, to examine into the charges against Athanasius; in order that all cause of contention being by this means removed, they might the more peacefully perform the solemnities of religion in the dedication of the church to God. It was in the thirtieth year of Constantine’s reign, that sixty bishops were thus convened at Tyre from various places, on the summons of Dionysius the consul. Macarius the presbyter was conducted from Alexandria in chains, under a military escort. But Athanasius was indeed unwilling to go thither, not so much from a dread of the charges preferred against him, because he was conscious of his own innocence; as that he feared lest any innovations should be made on the decisions of the council of Nice: he was however constrained to be present by the menacing letters of the emperor, in which he was told that if he did not come voluntarily, he should be brought by force.