Documents of the Early Arian Controversy
Most of what is known about the early development of what is called “Arianism” comes from the sources given below. These texts were collected in the original languages by H.-G. Opitz in the third volume of his edition of Athanasius’ Werke (1934). Information on the revised 2007 edition is available here. We have collected for the first time a complete set of English translations of these early writings.
Patristic scholars today warn against lumping together as “Arians” all the early theologians who had reservations about granting the Son full equality with the Father. They argue that it was the opponents of Arius who created this persona of Arius as the leader and arch-heretic of this theological tendency. Even his role as originator of the open controversy has been questioned, with men such as Eusebius of Caesarea, Asterius the Sophist and Lucian of Antioch offered as the true instigators. Arius and those with similar ideas are seen as continuing an already existent theological trajectory which emphasized the Son as “substantially different” than the Father. On the other hand, the key role of Arius in both the theological and public debate is clearly seen in the writings below. The source designated below as Gelasius is the Anonymous Church History which we have translated here.
Chart: | |
urk.: | provides the document number (Urk.) in Opitz’s Early Arian Documents (German: Urkunden). See the contents of this volume by page number. |
date – Opitz: | the date assigned by Opitz. Click here to see the issues related to chronology. |
ancient source: | gives the location in the sources from which we have taken the document. |
translations: | gives the location of translations. FCC translations may be accessed by clicking the link |
doc: | the document number in the 2007 edition of Athanasius’ Werke. |
CPG: | Clavis Patrum Graecorum reference number. |
urk. | date-Opitz | description | ancient source | translations | doc. | CPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | c. 318 | Arius to Eusebius of Nicomedia | Epiphanius, Panarion 69.6; Theodoret, Historia ecclesiastica 1.5 (1.4 in the NPNF) | FCC; New Eusebius, no. 283;Sections 2-8: Hanson, p. 139, Sections 4-5:Hanson, p. 6; NPNF2 vol. 3, p. 41 |
15 | 2025 |
2 | c. 318 | Fragment of a letter from Eusebius of Nicomedia to Arius | Athanasius, De synodis 17.2 | FCC; Hanson, p. 31; NPNF2 vol. 4, p. 459 |
16 | 2046 |
3 | c. 318 | Eusebius of Caesarea to Euphration of Balanea | Sections 1-3: Council of Nicaea, Session 5: Labbe vol. 7, col. 365; Sections 1-2: 2nd Council of Nicaea, Session 5: in Mansi vol. 13, col.176, 317; Sections 4-5: Eusebius of Caesarea, Contra Marcellum 1.4.40-41, 57; Athanasius, De synodis 17.3 | FCC | 10 | 3500 |
4a | 318/9 | Alexander of Alexandria to his clergy | Athanasius, De decretis 34 | FCC; NPNF2 vol. 4, p. 69 |
2.1 | 2001 |
4b | c. 318 | Alexander of Alexandria’s encyclical letter on Arius’s deposition, to all bishops | Athanasius, De decretis 35; Socrates, Historia ecclesiastica 1.6.; Gelasius, Historia ecclesiastica 2.3.1-21 | FCC; New Eusebius, no. 282; NPNF2 vol. 4, pp. 69-72; NPNF2 vol. 2, pp.3-5; Sections 2-3: Hanson, p. 16 |
2.2 | 2000 |
5 | c. 320 | Summary of letter of a Council in Bithynia | Sozomen, Historia ecclesiastica 1.15.10 | FCC; NPNF2 vol. 2, p. 252 |
3 | – |
6 | c. 320 | Arius and his followers to Alexander of Alexandria | Athanasius, De synodis 16.2-5; Epiphanius, Panarion 69.7-8; Hilary, De Trinitate 4.12 | FCC; CLA no. 22; Hanson, pp. 7-8; NPNF2 vol. 4, p. 458; NPNF2 vol. 9, p. 74; New Eusebius, no. 284 |
1 | 2026 |
7 | c. 320 | Eusebius of Caesarea to Alexander of Alexandria | 2nd Council of Nicaea: Labbe, vol. 7, col. 496 and Mansi, vol.13, coll. 316-7 | FCC | 9 | 3501 |
8 | c. 320 | Eusebius of Nicomedia to Paulinus of Tyre | Theodoret, Historia ecclesiastica 1.6 (1.5 in the NPNF) | FCC; NPNF2 vol. 3, p. 42 |
4 | 2045 |
9 | c. 320 | Fragment of a letter of Paulinus of Tyre | Eusebius of Caesarea, Contra Marcellum 1.4.18-21, 49-51 | FCC; Hanson, p. 45 |
5 | 2065 |
10 | c. 321/2 | Summary of letter of a council in Palestine reinstating Arius | Sozomen, Historia ecclesiastica 1.15.11 | FCC; NPNF2 vol. 2, p. 252 |
8 | – |
11 | c. 322 | Athanasius of Anazarbus to Alexander of Alexandria | Athanasius, De synodis 17.4 | FCC; NPNF2 vol. 4, p. 458; Discussed Hanson, p. 42 |
11 | 2060 |
12 | c. 322 | Priest George to Alexander of Alexandria | Athanasius, De synodis 17.5 | FCC; Hanson, p. 44; NPNF2 vol. 4, p. 459 |
6 | 3555 |
13 | c. 322 | Priest George to the Arians in Alexandria | Athanasius, De synodis 17.6 | FCC; Hanson, p. 44; NPNF2 vol. 4, p. 459 |
7 | 3556 |
– | – | Part of a letter of Athanasius of Anazarbus | Codex Vaticanus lat. 5750, p. 275 | FCC | 12 | 2061 |
– | – | Parts of 2 letters of Theognis of Nicaea | Codex Vaticanus lat. 5750, p. 275-76 | FCCa, FCCb |
13 | 2070 |
14 | 324 | Alexander of Alexandria to Alexander of Byzantium | Theodoret, Historia ecclesiastica 1.4 (1.3 in the NPNF) | FCC; CLA no. 21; NPNF2 vol. 3, pp. 35-41; Discussed in Hanson, p. 141-2 Discussed on New Eusebius, no. 285 |
17 | 2002 |
15 | 324 | Fragment of a letter from Alexander of Alexandria to all bishops | Greek: Schwartz, pp. 265-7; Syriac: Pitra, vol. 4, pp. 196-7 | FCC | 14 | 2003 |
16 | ? | Fragment a letter of Alexander of Alexandria to Sylvester of Rome | Section 1: Richard, p. 82; Section 2: Hilary: CSEL vol. 65, part 4, pp. 91-92; | FCC | 18 | – |
17 | Oct. 324 | Emperor Constantine to Alexander of Alexandria and Arius | Eusebius of Caesarea, Vita Constantini, 2.64; Sections 6-15: Socrates, Historia ecclesiastica 1.7; Sections 6-15: Gelasius, Historia Ecclesiastica 2.4 | FCC; New Eusebius, no.287; Coleman, no. 47; NPNF2vol. 1, pp. 515-8; Sections 6-15: NPNF2 vol. 2, p. 6-7 |
19 | 2020 |
18 | early 325 | Letter of the Council of Antioch (325) | Greek and Syriac: Schwartz, pp. 271-9; Syriac: Schulthess, pp. 160-2 | FCC; New Eusebius, no. 288; Sections 8-11: Hanson, p. 149 |
20 | 8509 |
19 | 325 | Fragment of a letter of Narcissus of Neronias to Chrestus, Euphronius and Eusebius of Caesarea | Eusebius of Caesarea, Contra Marcellum, 1.4.39 | FCC | 21 | – |
20 | Spring 325 | Emperor Constantine’s letter calling the Council of Nicaea | Greek: Schwartz, p. 289; Syriac: Schulthess, p. 1 | FCC; New Eusebius, no. 289; Coleman, no. 48 |
22 | 8511 |
21 | June 325 | Fragment of a letter from Eusebius of Nicomedia to the Council of Nicaea | Ambrose, De fide 3.15 | FCC; Hanson, p. 31; NPNF2 vol. 10, p. 260 |
23 | 2047 |
22 | June 325 | Eusebius of Caesarea to his church explaining his actions at the Council of Nicaea | Athanasius, De decretis 33; Theodoret, Historia ecclesiastica 1.12 (1.11 in NPNF); Gelasius, Historia ecclesiastica 2.35; Socrates, Historia ecclesiastica1.8 (section 16 omitted) | FCC; New Eusebius, no. 291; NPNF2 vol. 4, pp. 74-76; NPNF2 vol. 2, pp. 10; NPNF2 vol. 3 p. 51 (partial); Sections 3-6: Hanson, p. 159; Section 7: Hanson, p. 165; Section 16: Hanson, p. 166 |
24 | 3502 |
23 | June 325 |
Letter of the Council of Nicaea to the Egyptian church
|
Athanasius, De decretis 36; Socrates, Historia ecclesiastica 1.9; Theodoret,Historia ecclesiastica 1.9.2 (1.8.2 in NPNF); Gelasius, Historia ecclesiastica 2.34.2 | FCC; New Eusebius, no. 292; NPNF2vol. 2, p. 12; NPNF2 vol. 3, p. 46 |
25 | 8515 |
24 | 19 June 325 | Creed of the Council of Nicaea | Athanasius, De decretis 37 | FCC; NPNF2 vol. 4, p. 75 |
26 | 8512 |
25 | June 325 | Emperor Constantine to the church of Alexandria | Athanasius, De decretis 38; Socrates, Historia ecclesiastica 1.9.17; Gelasius,Historia ecclesiastica 2.37; | FCC; Coleman, no. 53; New Eusebius, no. 293; NPNF2 vol. 2, p. 13 |
29 | 8517 |
26 | June 325 | Emperor Constantine to the churches on the Nicene decision concerning Easter | Eusebius of Caesarea, Vita Constantini 3.17-18; Socrates, Historia ecclesiastica 1.9.32; Theodoret, Historia ecclesiastica 1.10 (1.9 in NPNF); Gelasius, Historia ecclesiastica 2.37.10 | FCC; Coleman, no. 52; NPNF2 vol. 1, p. 524-5; NPNF2 vol. 2, p. 14-16; NPNF2 vol. 3, p. 47-8 |
30 | 8518 |
27 | Nov. – Dec. 325 | Emperor Constantine to the church of Nicomedia | Athanasius, De decretis 41; Gelasius, Historia ecclesiastica 3. appendix 1; Sections 9-17: Theodoret, Historia ecclesiastica 1.20 (1.19 in NPNF) | FCC; Coleman, no. 50; Sections 9-17: New Eusebius, no. 294; NPNF2 vol. 3, p. 56 |
31 | 2055 |
28 | Nov. – Dec. 325 |
Emperor Constantine to Theodotus of Laodicea
|
Athanasius, De decretis 42; Gelasius, Historia ecclesiastica 3.appendix 2 | FCC; Coleman, no. 51; New Eusebius, no. 305(1957 edition only) |
32 | 2056 |
29 | 27 Nov. 327 | Emperor Constantine to Arius | Socrates, Historia ecclesiastica 1.25.7 | FCC; Coleman, no. 58; NPNF2 vol. 2, p. 28 |
33 | 2040 |
30 | late 327 | Arius and Euzoius to the Emperor Constantine | Socrates, Historia ecclesiastica 1.26.2; Sozomen, Historia ecclesiastica 2.27.6-10 | FCC; New Eusebius, no. 295; NPNF2 vol. 2, p. 28; NPNF2 vol. 2, p. 277 |
34 | 2027 |
31 | late 327 | Eusebius of Nicomedia and Theognis of Nicaea, recanting in order to be reinstated | Socrates, Historia ecclesiastica 1.14.2; Sozomen, Historia ecclesiastica 2.16.3-7; Gelasius, Historia ecclesiastica 3.13 | FCC; New Eusebius, no. 296; NPNF2vol. 2, p. 20, vol. 2, p. 68 |
36 | 2048 |
32 | early 328 | Fragment of a letter from Emperor Constantine to Alexander of Alexandria | Gelasius, Historia ecclesiastica 3.15.1 | FCC | 37 | 2021 |
33 | 333 | Part of an edict against Arius and his followers | Athanasius, De decretis 39; Socrates, Historia ecclesiastica 1.9.30; Gelasius,Historia ecclesiastica 2.36.1 Syriac: Schulthess, pp. 1-2 | FCC; Coleman-Norton, no. 66; NPNF2 vol. 2, p. 14 |
28 | 2041 |
34 | 333 | Emperor Constantine to Arius and his followers | Athanasius, De decretis40; Gelasius,Historia ecclesiastica 3.19.1;cf.: Epiphanius, Panarion69.9 | FCC; Coleman-Norton, no. 67; Sections 14-15: Hanson, p. 189 |
27 | 2042 |
The following are not found in Opitz’s Urkunden, but can be found in the 2007 edition:
12 Part of a letter of Athanasius of Anazarbus (listed in chart above)
13 Parts of 2 letters of Theognis of Nicaea (listed in chart above)
35.1 Synod of Antioch (327) on its decisions against Asclepas of Gaza
35.2 Synod of Antioch (327) on its decision against Eustathius
38 Conflicts about the restoration of church unity in Egypt
39 Writings of the Synod of Jerusalem of the year 335
40 Synods in Constantinople against Marcellus of Ancyra
41 Correspondence and synods in Rome and Antioch during the years 340 and 341
41.1 Letter of Julius of Rome to the eastern bishops with the request to appear at a synod in Rome
41.2 Reports on the Dedication Synod of Antioch in the year 341
41.3 Explanation of Theophronius of Tyana (3rd Antiochene formula)
41.4 Confession of the Synod of Antioch in the year 341 (2nd Antiochene formula)
41.5 Fragment of a cyclical letter of the Synod of Antioch in the year 341 (1st Antiochene formula)
41.6 Report on a letter of the Synod of Antioch in the year 341 to Julius of Rome
41.7 Letter and confession of Marcellus of Ancyra to Julius of Rome
41.8 Letter of Julius to the bishops gathered in Antioch
42 Confession of an Antiochene synod (4th Antiochene formula), 341
43 The Synod of Serdica, 343
43.1 Cyclical letters of the western bishops
43.2 The theological explanation of the western bishops
43.3 The list of the signatures under the theological explanation of the western bishops
43.4 Letters of the western bishops to Emperor Constantius
43.5 Letters of the western bishops to Julius of Rome
43.6 Fragments of the letter of Hosias of Cordova and Protogenes of Serdica to Julius of Rome
43.7 Letters of the western bishops to the church of Alexandria
43.8 Letters of Athanasius of Alexandria to the priests and deacons of Alexandria and Parembole
43.9 Letters of the western synod to the priests and deacons in Mareotis
43.10 Letters of Athanasius of Alexandria to the priests, deacons, and church people in Mareotis
43.11 Cyclical letters of the eastern synod
43.12 The theological explanation of the eastern synod
43.13 The list of the signatures under the theological explanation of the eastern synod
44 Macrostich Confession (Ἔκθεσις Μακρόστιχος), Fifth Arian Confession, 344
Three additional pages are devoted to alternative chronologies of the period:
For a simpler table comparing the alternative chronologies side-by-side, click here.
Created by JDW
Last updated: 1-30-2012
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