They prayed in all eamestness; they wept; they were under
severe tension. Every soul was a-tremor. Each one felt
that it was the beginning of a sanguine revolution.
In the midst of these growing apprehensions,
Athanasius kept an impassable serenity. He continued to
explain the Holy Writ to his people, endeavouring to
moderate their vehemence and strengthen their faith.
The·Arian faction, in turn, sensed the imminence of
a, collision, and decided to save their forces for the
inevitable hour. They worked and schemed in secret.
They enlisted among their ranks all the discontented
pagans and all the disillusioned rabble.
- Passion Week began. The faithful assembled in the
churches to attend the Services and chant the hymns
appropriate to the occasion. Suddenly a menacing blare
of trumpets resounded throughout the city, together with
the gradually mounting cries and shrieks of the crowds.
The intruder, Gregory, had arrived at Alexandria,
accompanied by priests, soldiers, and a motley multitude,
headed by Philagrius, the city Prefect. It was a signal for
unutterable horrors. They marched into the churches on
horseback, killing the Faithful and trampling over them
with horses' hoofs. It was a massacre. Christian blood
filled churches and streets.
During these tense and dark days, persecutors and
persecuted alike focused all their attention on one man:
Athanasius. The Faithful eagerly sought to save him,
while the Arians desired to destroy him. Notwithstanding
the impending danger, Athanasius remained in his own
Capital: every house in Alexandria became a refuge for
the Great Pope, and every person a shield. He, therefore,
moved throughout the city feeling secure in spite of
danger. And he stayed among his people until Easter