"The emperor, therefore, invited the bishops to the festival [to which they all came[1]], and he presented suitable gifts to them; and when they were prepared to return home, he called them all together, and exhorted them to be of one mind, and at peace among themselves, so that no dissensions might henceforth creep in among them. After many other similar exhortations, he concluded by commanding them to be diligent in prayer for himself, his children, and the empire, and then bade them farewell."
CONCLUSION.[2]—CONSTANTINE EXPRESSES MUCH JOY AT THE SUCCESS OF THE COUNCIL, AND ORDERS LARGE SUMS OF MONEY TO BE DISTRIBUTED.
"When matters were arranged, the emperor gave them permission to return to their own dioceses. They returned with great joy, and have ever since continued to be of one mind, lacing so firmly united, as to form, as it were, but one body. Constantine, rejoicing in the success of his efforts, made known these happy results, by letter, to those who were at a distance.[3] He ordered large sums of money to be liberally distributed, both among the inhabitants of the provinces and of the cities in order that the twentieth anniversary of his reign might be celebrated with public festivities."[4]
- ↑ This remark I quote from Eusebius' Life of Constantine, book iii. chap. 15.
- ↑ This additional account is from Eusebius Pamphilus.
- ↑ See the epistle of the emperor, pp. 77, 78.
- ↑ Theodoret adds, "Although the Arians impiously gainsay, and refuse to give credit to the statements of the other fathers, yet they ought to believe what has been written by this father [Eusebius], whom they have been accustomed to admire."
because that is known to have been the anniversary day of Constantine's accession to the imperial throne. It could not have been earlier, but might have been a little later, as the emperor might possibly have delayed the vicennalia through deference to the bishops of the great Council.
