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| Constantine's Letter to Eusebius and Other Bishops, respecting the Building of Churches, with Instructions to repair the Old, and erect New Ones on a Larger Scale, with the Aid of the Provincial Governors.
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Chapter XLVI.—Constantine’s Letter to Eusebius and Other
Bishops, respecting the Building of Churches, with Instructions to
repair the Old, and erect New Ones on a Larger Scale, with the Aid of
the Provincial Governors.
“Victor
Constantinus, Maximus Augustus, to Eusebius.
“Forasmuch as the unholy
and willful rule of tyranny has persecuted the servants of our Saviour
until this present time, I believe and have fully satisfied myself,
best beloved brother, that the buildings belonging to all the churches
have either become ruinous through actual neglect, or have received
inadequate attention from the dread of the violent spirit of the
times.
“But now, that liberty is
restored, and that serpent3193
| 3193 [Licinius, thus designated for the subtlety of his
character.—Bag.] More probably for his wickedness, and
perhaps with thought of the “dragon” of the Book of
Revelation. The word is δρ€κων,
not ὄφις. It is the latter
which is used in the LXX, where the English version speaks of the
serpent as the “subtlest.” For historical and symbolical
use of the words, compare Fergusson, Tree and Serpent Worship
(Lond., 1874), and Conway, Demonology and Devil Lore (N.Y.,
1879, 2 v.). | driven from
the administration of public affairs by the providence of the Supreme
God, and our instrumentality, we trust that all can see the efficacy of
the Divine power, and that they who through fear of persecution or
through unbelief have fallen into any errors, will now acknowledge the
true God, and adopt in future that course of life which is according to
truth and rectitude. With respect, therefore, to the churches over
which you yourself preside, as well as the bishops, presbyters, and
deacons of other churches with whom you are acquainted, do you admonish
all to be zealous in their attention to the buildings of the churches,
and either to repair or enlarge those which at present exist, or, in
cases of necessity, to erect new ones.
“We also empower you, and
the others through you, to demand what is needful for the work, both
from the provincial governors and from the Prætorian Præfect.
For they have received instructions to be most diligent in obedience to
your Holiness’s orders. God preserve you, beloved brother.”
A copy of this charge was transmitted throughout all the provinces to
the bishops of the several churches: the provincial governors received
directions accordingly, and the imperial statute was speedily carried
into effect. E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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