enabled them to suffer injuries and even death without
giving in or giving up.
- Antoni, the chief of solitaries and aged saint, was
still alive in the desert. His serene spirit revolted against
these turbulent events. So he descended from his
mountain and once more appeared in the streets of
Alexandria. Standing in its central square, he addressed
the people in simple, sublime language, and the multitudes
thronged to hear him. None dared raise a hand against
this giant man of God, whose age and years of
consecrated saintly service had won him universal
veneration. The Arians trembled while he 'spoke, but
perforce remained silent. When he ended his defence, he
returned to his desert abode, leaving within the city a host
of consoled, re-affirmed souls.^26 - In the meantime, what was Athanasius doing in the
land he chose for self-exile? He was active as ever, and
Christians from many lands had their attentions riveted on
him, while their hearts throbbed with emotions. To them
"this illustrious fighter bore on his shoulders the whole
edifice of Christ's Church."^27
Julius, Bishop of Rome, welcomed him to the city,
and sent out an invitation to all bishops in Christendom to
come and confer with him, and hold a council in which
any differences could be resolved. A good number of the
Occidental bishops immediately responded to his
invitation, but of the Orientalise, only those who were
friendly to Athanasius came. As for his foes-headed by
Eusebius, former bishop of Nicomedia who had become
bishop of Constantinople-they bided their time and
delayed the messengers sent by Julius.