harmony within the Church. The Arians and Eusebians,
however, were quite alarmed. They could not refuse to
go-as they had refused to go to Rome – since the Council
was being held at the request of the two Emperors. So,
they went in spite of themselves. They did so with
unchanged attitudes, and with the same uncharitable
spirits.
About two hundred bishops converged on the
Sardikan Council, and -as at Nicea – Hosius of Cordova
was elected presiding Bishop.
Sizing the situation, the anti-Athanasians found
that the procedure was going to be purely ecclesiastic:
that all the churches with complaints had sent witnesses
against them, bringing well-authenticated documents; that
Athanasius whom they hoped would be absent, was there
in person and very composed and confident. They
realised that he was surely going to confront them in his
usual powerful manner; and that if they accepted to sit at
the Council, the probability would be that they, rather
than their adversaries, would be indicted. Bearing these
facts in mind, they pretended that they needed time to
deliberate and plan their defence, and so withdrew to hold
secret meetings. What they really wanted to plan was
how best to retreat from Sardika and avoid a
confrontation with the venerable Council. While they
deliberated, Hosius entreated them to come to the council
without delay, and to this entreaty, the Sardikan fathers
added: "We must conform to the desire of the Emperors
and examine the very cause of this deplorable dissension".
Athanasius, himself, in spite of what his Church
had suffered because of their actions, went to see them;
and-forgetting pride and prestige and, in a spirit of true
Christian charity – implored them to acquiesce with the
unanimous desire, and come to deliberate with their
elle
(Elle)
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