92 Jesus, Prophet of Islam
Eusebius of Nicomedia and Arius were old friends, since both
had been students of Lucian, a man who, as we have already seen,
had been universally respected for his purity and learning. It is
possible that Lucian's martyrdom in 312 AD helped to strengthen
the friendship and the resolve which these two shared,
There is a letter which Arius wrote to Eusebius in Constantino
ple after his excommunication by Alexander, and which still ex
ists. Arius complains of his persecution by Alexander, who was
trying to expel him from Alexandria as an impious atheist because
he and his friends did not subscribe to the outrageous doctrines
which the bishop professed:
'We are persecuted,' wrote Arius, 'because we say that Jesus
had a beginning, while God had no beginning.' 14
As a result, Arius received increased support from Eusebius who
had much influence, not only among the common people, but also
in the imperial palace itself. In spite of this backing, Arius appears
always to have inclined towards reconciliation rather than opposi
tion, so far as discipline within the Church was concerned.
Unfortunately, the records of this dispute which still exist are
very scanty, but there are a few letters in existence which show
thatArius's intentionwassolely to keep the teachingsof Jesus pure
and free from alteration, and not to cause disruption among the
Christians. On the other hand, the letters wrîttenby Alexander show
that the Bishop was always using intemperate language against
Arius and his supporters. In one letter he writes: 'They are pos
sessed of the Devil who dwells in them and goads them to fury;
they are jugglers and tricksters, elever conjurors with seductive
words; they are brigands who have lairs for themselves wherein
day and night they curse Christ ... they make proselytes through
the agency of loose young women of the town.' 15 The use of such
violent and outrageous language by the Patriarch raises the suspi
cion that he too must have been aware of the weakness of his case.
Eusebius hotly resented the tone of the Patriarch of Alexandria.
He summoned the synod of Eastern bishops and laid the whole
matter before them. The result of this gathering was a letter, which
was sent to all the bishops of both the East and the West, begging
them to induce Alexander to accept Arius back into the Church.
Alexander, however, wantedArius's totalsurrender.Arius retumed
to Palestine and continued to hold services for his followers. Alex
ander issued a long letter addressed to ' all his fellow workers of
the Catholic Church,' in which he again attacked Arius. He also
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