confirmed by the councils cannot be abrogated by some
individuals ... "
After going into the details of the coalition
between the Arians and the Eusebians, and dwelling at
length on the testimonies witnessing to the integrity of
Athanasius, Julius ended his letter with these words:
"Those who have not made known unto us what they have
done, and have behaved according to their own desires,
want us to give them our consent without knowing the
causes. This is contrary to the regulations established by
St. Paul and taught by the Fathers; it is a new regulation.
I pray you take heed of what I have written unto you,
because my sole aim is the common welfare. I notify you
of what we have received of the blessed St. Peter which I
deemed well-known but for the emotion-provoking
incidents actually taking place. Bishops are uprooted
from their Sees, other imposed in their stead, while the
faithful are forced to acknowledge those whom they do
not want. Put an end, I pray you, to such matters, and
write against those who behave in this manner, that the
Churches will not be troubled and the faithful need not act
against their conscience. Give not the pagans occasion to
laugh at us, and bring not the anger of God upon you.
Each one of us, on the day of judgement will have to give
an account of what he has done in this life ... I desire,
dearly beloved brethren, that you will be well in the
Lord".^30
- In spite of the sincerity and goodwill that this
letter portrayed, it produced no effect on its recipients.
They considered it personal and not conciliatory.
Athanasius, aware of that, decided to remain in
exile in spite of the fact that the Council of Rome had
reinstated him. He continued carrying on his spiritual and