palmgroves by the banks of the Nile under the starry
skies. Thus, all endeavours to find him were fruitless.
One day when for a moment the shadow of
weariness clouded the soul of Athanasius, Piamon, Abbot
of the Arsinoe monasteries, and Tlteodorus, Abbot of
Tabennisi came to see hint. By the way they spoke, he
sensed that they were in an unusually good mood. Asking
for an explanation, Theodorus made haste to answer: "If
we seem happy, beloved father, it is because we are
bringing you some good news. Julian has just been killed
by the Persians, and his successor is a Christian prince
who has heart set on the peace of the world. You need
not remain away from your See now. Rather go to
Antioch where the new monarch will receive you with
great honour".^54 Abba Athanasius, thanking God for the
quick deliverance He had provided, immediately left the
desert and its Cherished inhabitants, and descended the
Nile. He resolved to go first to Alexandria and wait there
for an invitation from the new Emperor to go to Antioch.
The wind sped his boat by, and to their great relief and
joy, his people suddenly saw him in their midst.^54
- Julian the Apostate was succeeded by Emperor
Jovian, a man endowed with piety and gentleness of
character. His advent filled the hearts of the Egyptians
with high expectations.
Jovian entered Antioch after coming to terms with
the Persian conquerors, and as soon as he did so all the
bishops hastened to present their congratulations with the
exception of Abba Athanasius. This did not anger Jovian,
because in his youth he had learned to hold the
Alexandrian Pope in great esteem. Inquiring about him
and hearing that he had settled quietly in his great
metropolis, he sent him the following letter: "To the very