Reference:Mel. 33, CPG 2123.30, CPG 8544, FNS 75
Incipit:Φανερὰν ὁρῶ κατὰ Ἀθανασίου
Date:335
Greek Text:Athanasius, Apol. Sec. 80
English Translation(s):NPNF2 vol. 4, p. 142, adapted for FCC by SMT

After giving his support to Athanasius in Mel. 20 after finding out about the Arsenius conspiracy, Bishop Alexander of Thessalonica sent this letter to Flavius Dionysius urging him to not rush through the objections made to the commision to the Mareotis. Bishop Alexander reminds Flavius Dionysius of the dangers of the Melitians and Arians to the church as a whole.

The Greek text below is that of Opitz as found in AW 2.4:80. The English translation has been adapted from NPNF2 vol. 4, p. 142 by SMT for FCC.

Click here to access a downloadable pdf of this document.

The derivative translation below is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.

Τῷ δεσπότῃ μου Διονυσίῳ Ἀλέξανδρος ἐπίσκοπος.The Bishop Alexander to my master Dionysius.
Φανερὰν ὁρῶ κατὰ Ἀθανασίου συσκευὴν γενομένην. πάντας γὰρ οὓς παρῃτήσατο, τούτους οὐκ οἶδα τί πεπονθότες ἀποστεῖλαι ἠθέλησαν μηδὲ σημάναντες ἡμῖν. ἧν γὰρ δόξαν κατὰ τὸ αὐτὸ σκέψασθαι, τίνας δεήσει ἀποσταλῆναι. συμβούλευσον οὖν μή τι προπετὲς γενέσθαι (ἐληλύϑασι γὰρ πρὸς μὲ τεθορυβημένοι λέγοντες ἤδη τὰ θηρία ἐσφρῖχθαι, καὶ μέλλειν ἐξορμᾶν. περιηχήθησαν γὰρ ὡς Ἰωάννου τινὰς ἀποστείλαντος), μὴ προλαβόντες καττύσωσιν, ὡς ἂν ἐθέλοιεν.I see that a conspiracy has evidently been formed against Athanasius; for they have determined, I know not on what grounds, to send all those to whom he has objected, without giving any information to us, although it was agreed that we should consider together who ought to be sent. Take care therefore that nothing be done rashly (for they have come to me in great alarm, saying that the wild beasts have already roused themselves and are going to rush upon them; for they had heard it reported, that John had sent certain), lest they be beforehand with us, and concoct what schemes they please.
οἶδας γὰρ ὅτι καὶ Κολλουϑιανοὶ τῆς ἐκκλησίας ἐχθροὶ ὄντες καὶ Ἀρειανοὶ καὶ Μελιτιανοί, οὗτοι πάντες ἀλλήλοις σύμψηφοι γενόμενοι, δύνανται μεγάλα κακὰ ἐργάσασθαι. σκέψαι οὖν τὸ συμφέρον, ἵνα μὴ ἀνακύψῃ τι σκυθρωπὸν καὶ αἰτίᾳ ὑποβληθῶμεν ὡς οὐ κατὰ τὸ δίκαιον κρίναντες. κἀκεῖνοι μάλιστα ὑφορῶνται, μὴ διοδεύοντες τὰς ἐκκλησίας, ὧν οἱ ἐπίσκοποί εἰσιν ἐνταῦθα, φόβον ἐμποιήσαντες ταράξωσι πᾶσαν τὴν Αἴγυπτον ὡς τοῖς Μελιτιανοῖς παραδόντες. ἐκ τοῦ πλείστου γὰρ τοῦτο συνορῶ γινόμενον.For you know that the Colluthians who are enemies of the Church, and Arians and Melitians are all of them leagued together and are able to work much evil. Consider therefore what is best to be done, lest some mischief arise, and we be subject to censure, as not having judged the matter fairly. Great suspicions are also entertained of these persons, lest, as being devoted to the Melitians, they should go through those churches whose bishops are here, and raise an alarm amongst them, and so disorder the whole of Egypt. For they see that this is already taking place to a great extent.

Back to Documents Concerning the Melitian Schism

Previous Melitian Document – Next Melitian Document

Created by SMT

Last updated 04/16/2025 JTS

No Responses yet