Primary source · Koine Greek
The Epistles on the Arian Heresy
Alexander of Alexandria · c. AD 319–324
What this text is
The encyclicals that opened the Arian controversy: Alexander's deposition of Arius and his circular to all bishops — 'they deny the divinity of our Saviour, and preach that he is on a level with all men.'
Profile of Alexander of Alexandria →
Public-domain translations
ANF translation (1886)
The novelties they have invented and put forth contrary to the Scriptures are these: God was not always a Father… the Word of God was not from eternity, but was made out of nothing. Wherefore we have expelled them from the Church which adores the divinity of Christ.
Manuscript witnesses
Socrates I.6 & Theodoret HE I.4 (carriers)
5th c. carriers; medieval copiesThe two great letters — 'to all bishops' and to Alexander of Byzantium — survive in the historians' transcriptions.
Provenance
Alexandria, c. AD 319–324 — the encyclicals that opened the Arian crisis
Editions & scholarship
Critical editions and standard translations behind the text above.
- Athanasius Werke III.1: UrkundenHans-Georg Opitz, 1934Critical edition of the crisis documents (Urk. 4b, 14).
- Arius: Heresy and TraditionRowan Williams, rev. 2001The controversy's opening moves analyzed.