1 Nicene Parallels: Five Historical Records of the Council of Nicaea in Parallel This table contains five historical records of the Council of Nicaea (325 C.E.), set out in parallel for the reader. The sources are cited and I have divided the material up into sections as indicated here below. This work is an appendix to a larger research project I am conducting on Constantine and the Bishops, and any queries regarding this table or my research can be directed to [email protected]. This table is being made available for researchers or other readers who might find it helpful or interesting. The only comment I will make for the reader on this material is that only two of the authors for these sources, Eusebius of Caesarea and Athanasius of Alexandria, were present at the Council itself. Kind regards, C.G. Bateman Impetus to Council (p. 3) Calling the Council (p. 5) Council of Nicaea: Attendees and Aims (p. 6) Council Deliberations (p. 11) Consequum Nicaea (Consequences) (p. 30) Nicene Statement of Faith: Closing Words (p. 38) 2 Appendix i: Nicene Parallels Eusebius of Caesarea Socrates Scholasticus Salaminius Hermias Theodoret Athanasius Sozomenus (Sozomen) Life of Constantine. Translated Ecclesiastical History, Book 1. Sozomen. The Ecclesiastical The Ecclesiastical History of [1.] Epistola Eusebii, by Averil Cameron and Stuart Translated by A.C. Zenos. Nicene History of Sozomen, Book 1. Theodoret, Council of Nicaea. G. Hall. Oxford: Clarendon and Post-Nicene Fathers. Second Translated & revised by Chester Chapter 6 --General Council Translated and edited by Press, 1999. series, vol. 2. Socrates, D. Hartranft. Nicene and Post- of Nicæa. Nicene and Post- Archibald Robertson. 3.4-3.24, 122-131. Sozomenus: Church Histories. Nicene Fathers, Second series, Nicene Fathers, Second Nicene and Post-Nicene Editors Philip Schaff and Henry vol. 2. Socrates, Sozomenus: series, vol. 3. Theodoret, Fathers, Second series, vol. Wace. Edinburgh: T&T Clark, Church Histories. Editors Philip Jerome, 4. Athansius: Select Works 1886-1900; Grand Rapids: Schaff and Henry Wace. Gennadius, & Rufinus: and Letters. Editors Philip Eerdmans, 1997. 1.8-1.9, 8-17. Edinburgh: T&T Clark, Historical Schaff and Henry Wace. 1886-1900; Grand Writings. Editors Philip Edinburgh: T&T Clark, Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997. 1.17- Schaff and Henry Wace. 1886-1900; Grand Rapids: 1.25, 253-257. Edinburgh: T&T Clark, Eerdmans, 1997. 1-11, 74- 1886-1900; Grand Rapids: 76. Eerdmans, 1997. 1.6, 91-93. [2.] [In Italics] Ibid., De Decretis or Defence of the Nicene Definition. 1.2.1- 1.2.4. 3 Eusebius Socrates Sozomen Theodoret Athanasius Book 3.4-3.24. The Council of Chapter VIII.--Of the Synod Chapter XVII.--Of the Council Book 1.6. The Ecclesiastical 1. Epistola Eusebii, Council Nicaea. which was held at Nicæa in convened at Nicæa on History of Theodoret, of Nicaea. Bithynia, and the Creed there Account of Arius. Chapter 6 General Council Letter of Eusebius of [153] put forth. of Nicæa. Cæsarea to the people of his Diocese [413]. Impetus to Council Impetus to Council Impetus to Council Impetus to Council (Eusebius) (Socrates) (Sozomen) (Theodoret) …But the effects of the Such admirable and wise When it was found that the The emperor, who resentment of Envy dreadfully counsel did the emperor's letter event did not answer the possessed the most agitating the churches of God contain. But the evil had become expectations of the emperor, profound wisdom, having in Alexandria, and the evil too strong both for the but that on the contrary, the heard of these things, schism in Thebaid and Egypt, exhortations of the emperor, and contention was too great for endeavoured, as a first step, disturbed him considerably. the authority of him who was the reconciliation, so that he who to stop up their fountain- The bishop of one city was bearer of his letter: for neither had been sent to make peace head. He therefore attacking the bishop of was Alexander nor Arius returned without having despatched a messenger another, populations were softened by this appeal; and accomplished his mission, renowned for his ready wit rising up against one another, moreover there was incessant to Alexandria with letters, and were all but coming to strife and tumult among the in the endeavour to physical blows with each people. Moreover another local extinguish the dispute, and other, so that desperate men, source of disquietude had pre- expecting to reconcile the out of their minds, were existed there, which served to disputants. But his hopes committing sacrilegious acts, trouble the churches,--the having been frustrated,… even daring to insult the dispute namely in regard to the images of the Emperor. But Passover, which was carried on this did not so much rouse him in the regions of the East only. to anger as to mental anguish, [154] as he grieved at the [83] This arose from some desiring to senseless conduct of the 4 deranged. keep the Feast more in 5 (1) accordance with the custom of There was already another very the Jews; while others preferred dire sickness of longer its mode of celebration by standing than these, which had Christians in general throughout been a nuisance to the churches the world. This difference, for a long time; the however, did not interfere with disagreement over the Feast of their communion, although their the Saviour. Some claimed that mutual joy was necessarily one ought to follow the hindered. practice of the Jews, and some that it was right to observe the exact time of the season and not to err by following those who were outside the grace of the gospel. (2) So in this matter to the congregations everywhere had already for a long time been divided, and the divine ordinances were in disarray, since for one and the same festival the divergence of date caused the greatest difference between asting and mortification, when others were devoting leisure to relaxation. No human being was able to find a cure for the evil, since both parties were equally vehement in their disagreement; but for almighty God alone it was easy to cure even this, and alone of those on earth Constantine appeared 5 as his agent for good. (3) Once he received news of what has been described, and perceived that the letter which he had sent to those in Alexandria had failed, he applied his own mind to the matter, and said that this was another war which he must struggle to win against the invisible enemy disturbing the Church. Calling the Council Calling the Council Calling the Council Calling the Council (Eusebius) (Socrates) (Sozomen) (Theodoret) 6 (1) Then, as if to march When, therefore, the emperor Constantine convened a synod at …he proceeded to summon against him, he marshalled a beheld the Church agitated on Nicæa, in Bithynia, and wrote the celebrated council of legion of God, a world-wide account of both of these causes, [1115] to the most eminent men Nicæa [333] ; and pledged Council, with respectful letters he convoked a General Council, of the churches in every country, his word that the bishops summoning bishops to hasten [155] summoning all the bishops directing them to be there on an and their officials should be from every place. It was not a by letter to meet him at Nicæa in appointed day. [1116] furnished with asses, mules, simple command, but the Bithynia. and horses for their journey Emperor’s reinforced it also at the public expense. with practical action; to some it offered the right to use the public post, to others a generous supply of pack animals. A city was also designated which was appropriate for the Council, one bearing the name of 6 victory, Nicaea in the province of Bithynia. (2) So as the announcement circulated everywhere, they all dashed like sprinters from the starting- line, [84] full of enthusiasm. They were drawn by the hope of good things, the opportunity to share in peace, and the spectacle of that strange marvel, to see such a great Emperor. Council of Nicaea: Council of Council of Council of Nicaea: Council of Nicaea: Attendees & Aim Nicaea: Attendees & Nicaea: Attendees & Attendees & Attendees & (Eusebius) Aim Aim Aim Aim (Socrates) (Sozomen) (Theodoret) (Athanasius) So when all had come together, Accordingly the bishops Of those who occupied the When all those who were [1.] 1. What was transacted what was happening was seen assembled out of the various apostolic sees, the following capable of enduring the concerning ecclesiastical already to be the work of God. provinces and cities; respecting participated in this fatigue of the journey had faith at the Great Council For those who were furthest whom Eusebius Pamphilus thus conference: Macarius of arrived at Nicæa, he went assembled at Nicæa, you separated from each other, not writes, word for word, in his Jerusalem, Eustathius, who thither himself, with both have probably learned, only in spirit but in physical third book of the life of already presided over the church the wish of seeing the Beloved, from other sources, presence and territories and Constantine: [156] Wherefore of Antioch on the Orontes; and multitude of bishops, and rumour being wont to places and provinces, were the most eminent of the Alexander of Alexandria near the yearning desire of precede the accurate account brought together, and one city ministers of God in all the Lake Mareotis. Julius, [1117] maintaining unanimity of what is doing. But lest in received them all: a huge ring churches which have filled bishop of Rome, was unable to amongst them. He at once such reports the of priests was to be seen, a Europe, Africa, and Asia, were attend on account of extreme arranged that all their wants circumstances of the case crown colour-woven with convened.