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Apology to the Emperor

St. Athanasius of Alexandria

1h 18m read
Nicene

Apologia ad Constantium, Athanasius's personal defense before the emperor against the political charges brought against him — including alleged intrigue with Constans and Magnentius and the use of the Caesareum for Easter worship.

Table of Contents

1Defence Before Constantius2The first charge, of setting Constans against Constantius3He never saw Constans alone4The movements of Athanasius refute this charge5No possible time or place for the alleged offence6The second charge, of corresponding with Magnentius7This charge utterly incredible and absurd8Disproof of It9Athanasius could not write to one who did not even know him10His loyalty towards Constantius and his brother11Challenge to the accusers as to the alleged letter12Truth the defence of Thrones13This charge rests on forgery14The third charge, of using an undedicated Church15Want of room the cause, precedent the justification16Better to pray together than separately17Better to pray in a building than in the desert18Prayers first do not interfere with dedication afterwards19Fourth charge, of having disobeyed an Imperial order20History of his disobeying it21Section 2122Arrivals of Diogenes and of Syrianus23A copy of the letter as follows:24Why Athanasius did not obey the Imperial Order25The irruption of Syrianus26How Athanasius acted when this took place27Athanasius leaves Alexandria to go to Constantius, but is stopped by the news of the banishment of the Bishops28The news of the intrusion of George29Athanasius has heard of his own proscription30A copy of the letter of Constantius against Athanasius31Letter of Constantius to the Ethiopians against Frumentius32He defends his Flight33Conduct of the Arians towards the consecrated Virgins34He expostulates with Constantius35Section 35