Father in the Son through the Holy Spirit; He is the
Speaker by the prophets.
After giving a vivid and clear picture of the
Church's belief in the Holy Spirit, the valiant Pope added:
"Though far in the desert, I was moved to the very depth
of my being at the impudence of the innovators ... I am
sending my refutation of their heresy to your piety
entreating you to correct whatever error you may find
therein and to pardon me for it".
This last phrase expresses the humility of the great
hero, for his letter was a masterpiece worthy of the Holy
Spirit Who had certainly inspired His defender.^48
The letter of Abba Athanasius had the immediate
effect of quieting this new heresy. It also dumbfounded
the Arians who seemed at the time to be in power because
of their great influence at the court. With all the imperial
support they received, however, the Arians were,
nonetheless, baffled by Abba Athanasius and his people
who obstinately refused to bend the knee unto Caesar.
Athanasius foresaw the fall of the anti-Niceans
even in their hour of triumph. Having forced him away
from his Capital, and dispersed all the redoubtable
Orthodox, they dissented among themselves. Proof of
this was afforded by the number of creeds they
promulgated: whenever they assembled, they wrote a
different one.^49
- Amidst all these clashing events, the world was
suddenly shaken by grave news: Emperor Constantius –
on the eve of going to war against Persia-was seized with
a fever which proved fatal-and brought about his death.
At the hour of his hope in a triumphant issue, the
incorrigible persecutor of Athanasius and of the Church
fell.^50