Letter 4: To the most merciful, Christian, and glorious princes Gratian, Valentinian, and Theodosius — from the Council...

LETTER XII. [Argument:] Thanks are rendered to the emperors for the tranquility restored to the Church, and the prayers of the bishops are promised to them in return. Then, certain dissensions among the Catholics having been reported, these same princes are asked to order that a council assemble at Alexandria, and not to disdain to lend it their assistance as well, whereby they will confer a great benefit upon the bishops. To the most merciful and Christian emperors, and to the glorious and most blessed princes GRATIAN, VALENTINIAN, and THEODOSIUS, the holy Council which has assembled at Aquileia. 1. Even though our renderings of thanks should overflow, we can in no way match the benefits of your devotion, most merciful emperors, and most blessed and most glorious princes Gratian, Valentinian, and Theodosius, beloved of God the Father and of His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. For when, after many seasons and various persecutions which the Arians inflicted upon the Catholics, and most of all [whether it was that Lucius who raged with the impious slaughter of monks and virgins, but also Demophilus, that dread head of perfidy] all the Churches of God, especially those throughout the East, have been restored to the Catholics; while in the western regions scarcely two heretics have been found who could oppose the holy council: who is there who would think himself a fit reporter of your gracious deeds? 2. But nevertheless, even though we cannot set forth your benefits in words, we desire yet to repay them with the prayers of the council; and although, in each and every church, we keep our daily watches before our God on behalf of your empire, nevertheless, gathered into one—than which office we suppose nothing to be more beautiful—we render thanks to our almighty God both for your empire and for your peace and welfare, because through you peace and concord have been so poured back upon us. 3. Indeed, throughout the western regions, the faith seemed to be assailed in only two corners, that is, on the side of Dacia Ripensis and of Moesia; for whom now at last, after the sentence of the council, we suppose that provision must be made at once by the favor of your clemency. But throughout all districts and regions, and the enclosures of the villages even to the ocean, there remains one and undefiled communion of the faithful. In the eastern regions, however, we have learned indeed with the highest joy and gladness that, the Arians who had violently seized the Churches having been cast out, the sacred temples of God are frequented by Catholics alone. 4. But nevertheless, since the envy of the devil is never wont to rest, we hear that among the Catholics themselves there are frequent dissensions and unappeased discord; and we are confounded in our whole affection, because we have learned that very many things have been altered, and that those are now burdened who ought to have been helped—those who always abode in our communion. In short, Timotheus, bishop of the Alexandrine Church, and also Paulinus of the Antiochene Church, who always maintained an undefiled concord of communion with us, are reported to be hard pressed by the dissensions of others whose faith in former times was wavering. These men indeed, if it can be done, and full faith commends them, we desire to be joined to our fellowship: but in such a way that to the associates of the ancient communion their own prerogative may be preserved, of whom our care is not superfluous: first of all, because the society of communion ought to have no offense; and then, because some time ago we received letters from both parties, and especially from those who were at variance in the Antiochene Church. 5. And indeed, had not the enemy's incursion been a hindrance, we had even arranged to direct some of our own number thither, who might stand as intermediaries and arbiters for restoring the peace, if it could be done. But because our efforts could not at that time take effect on account of the public tumults, we suppose that our prayers have been laid before your devotion, by which, in accordance with what the parties had agreed, we asked that, upon the death of one, the rights of the Church should remain in the keeping of the survivor, and that no superordination should be attempted by force. And therefore we petition you, most merciful and Christian princes, that you decree that a council also of all the Catholic priests be held at Alexandria, who may among themselves more fully treat and determine to whom communion is to be granted and by whom it is to be kept. 6. For although we have always upheld the arrangement and order of the Alexandrine Church, and, according to the manner and custom of our forefathers, we preserve communion with it in indissoluble fellowship even to these present times; nevertheless, lest either any should seem to be slighted who, even by the pact which we wish to stand, have asked for our communion, or the advantages of that peace and fellowship of the faithful be neglected—this we beseech, that when they have treated among themselves in fuller assembly, the aids of your devotion may also breathe favor upon the priestly decrees. And that you decree to have it brought to our notice; that we may not waver with hesitating affection, but, glad and secure, may render thanks for your devotion before almighty God, not only because perfidy has been shut out, but because faith and concord have been restored to the Catholics. This the African and Gallican Churches beseech of you through their legates, that is, that you may make the bishops in the whole world your debtors; though no slight be the debt which is owed to your virtue. 7. And to entreat your clemency, and to obtain the things which we ask, we have directed as legates our brothers and fellow-presbyters, whom we petition that you may deign both to hear mercifully, and to decree that they return more speedily.

EPISTOLA XII. Aguntur imperatoribus gratiae ob restitutam Ecclesiae tranquillitatem, eisdemque episcoporum preces promittuntur. Tum nuntiatis quibusdam catholicorum discidiis, rogantur iidem principes, ut Alexandriae jubeant coire concilium, cui et auxilium suum impendere non dedignentur, magnum episcopis collaturi beneficium. Imperatoribus clementissimis christianisque, et gloriosis, beatissimisque principibus GRATIANO, VALENTIANO, et THEODOSIO sanctum Concilium quod convenit Aquileiae. 1. Quamlibet etiam redundantibus gratiarum actionibus, nequaquam tamen possumus beneficia vestrae pietatis aequare, imperatores clementissimi, atque beatissimi et gloriosissimi principes Gratiane, Valentiniane et Theodosi dilecti Deo Patri, et Filio ejus Domino nostro Jesu Christo. Nam cum post multa tempora, et persecutiones varias, quas Catholicis intulerunt Ariani, maximeque [vel Lucius ille monachorum et virginum impia caede grassatus, sed etiam Demophilus dirum perfidiae caput, omnes Ecclesiae Dei, maxime quae per Orientem, Catholicis restitutae sint: in Occidentalibus autem partibus vix duo haeretici, qui obviare possint sancto concilio, sint reperti; quis est qui putet se gratiarum vestrarum fore idoneum relatorem? 2. Sed tamen etsi beneficia vestra verbis explicare non possumus, votis tamen concilii compensare desideramus: qui licet per singulas quasque ecclesias quotidianas apud Deum nostrum pro imperio vestro celebremus excubias; tamen conducti in unum, quo munere 813 nihil esse pulchrius opinamur, Deo nostro omnipotenti et pro imperio, et pro pace ac salute vestra gratias agimus, quod per vos nobis pax et concordia ita sit refusa. 3. Equidem per Occidentales partes duobus in angulis tantum, hoc est, in latere Daciae Ripensis, ac Moesiae, fidei obstrepi videbatur: quibus tandem nunc post concilii sententiam, vestrae favore clementiae opinamur illico consulendum. Per omnes autem tractus atque regiones, et vicorum claustra usque ad oceanum manet una et intemerata fidelium communio. In Orientalibus autem partibus cognovimus quidem summo gaudio atque laetitia, ejectis Arianis qui Ecclesias violenter invaserant, sacra Dei templa per solos catholicos frequentari. 4. Sed tamen quoniam invidia diaboli numquam quiescere solet, inter ipsos catholicos audimus crebras dissensiones esse, impacatamque discordiam; totoque confundimur affectu, quod innovata pleraque comperimus, eosque gravari nunc, quos oportuit adjuvari, qui in nostra semper communione durabant. Denique Alexandrinae Ecclesiae Timotheus episcopus, sed et Antiochenae Paulinus, qui semper communionis nobiscum intemeratam habuere concordiam, dissensionibus aliorum, quorum fides superioribus temporibus haesitabat, feruntur urgeri. Quos quidem, si fieri potest, et fides plena commendat, ad consortia nostra optamus adjungi: sed ita ut vetustae communionis sociis sua praerogativa servetur, quorum nobis non superflua cura est: primo omnium, quia communionis societas nullam debet habere offensam: deinde, quia utriusque partis dudum accepimus litteras, praecipueque illorum, qui in Antiochena Ecclesia dissidebant. 5. Et quidem nisi hostilis impedimento fuisset irruptio, aliquos etiam de nostro numero disposueramus illo dirigere, qui sequestres et arbitri refundendae, si fieri posset, pacis existerent. Sed quia studia nostra tunc temporis habere effectum per tumultus publicos nequiverunt, oblatas pietati vestrae opinamur preces nostras, quibus juxta partium factum poposcimus ut altero decedente, penes superstitem Ecclesiae jura permanerent, nec aliqua superordinatio vi attentaretur. Ideoque petimus vos, clementissimi et christiani principes, ut et Alexandriae sacerdotum catholicorum omnium concilium fieri censeatis, qui inter se plenius tractent atque definiant quibus impertienda communio quibusque servanda sit. 814 6. Nam etsi Alexandrinae Ecclesiae semper dispositionem ordinemque tenuerimus, et juxta morem consuetudinemque majorum, ejus communionem indissolubili societate ad haec usque tempora servemus; tamen ne aut aliqui videantur esse posthabiti, qui etiam pacto, quod stare volumus, communionem nostram rogarunt: aut illius pacis et societatis fidelium neglecta compendia; id obsecramus, ut cum inter se coetu pleniore tractaverint, etiam auxilia decretis sacerdotalibus vestrae pietatis aspirent. Et nobis deferri in notitiam censeatis; ne titubanti nutemus affectu, sed laeti atque securi pietati vestrae apud Deum omnipotentem agamus gratias, non solum quia exclusa perfidia est, sed quia catholicis fides et concordia est restituta. Quod a vobis Africanae et Gallicanae Ecclesiae per legatos obsecrant, hoc est, ut toto vobis faciatis in orbe episcopos debitores; licet non mediocre sit debitum, quod virtuti vestrae debetur. 7. Ad deprecandam autem clementiam vestram, et impetranda quae poscimus, legatos fratres et compresbyteros nostros direximus, quos petimus ut et clementer audire dignemini, et redire maturius censeatis.