The emperor who wanted unity

Barely arrived in Nicomedia, Ossius was taken to the Imperial residence of Constantinos without even taking the time to admire the imposing monuments of the city. In recent decades, the mother city of the Bithynia region has become the capital of the eastern part of the Roman Empire. On the heights of the city, with a breathtaking view of the Gulf, the imperial building requires it. Ossius goes under the large door, crosses the gardens decorated with splendid sculptures and arrives at the personal apartments of the Emperor.

“Reverend Ossius, my dear advisor, did you take a good trip?” Says Constantinos, tightening her forearms with simplicity. The emperor has kept great familiarity with his relatives and trusted men from his military campaigns. “My friend, I have to make an important announcement today to the officials of the city who are impatient. So be brief. Where is our business? ”

Since the time that Ossius has accompanied Constantinos, he learned the art of synthesis. “I met the so -called AREIOS in Antiokheia, as you asked me. Man is intelligent and endearing; But stubborn. And he knows he is hunted down by his opponents. On your order, I asked him not to come to Nikaia (Nicea, editor’s note)but to write a declaration of faith which should reassure his peers. I have read it again several times and I unfortunately doubt that this could be the case. Bishops in the East love precision in words and hate nothing as long as the innuendo. However, Areios continues to argue that the father and the son have neither the same nature nor the same dignity. The case promises to be complex. ” Constantinos listened with interest.

“- Ossius, what you tell me confirms my desire to hit a big blow to Nikaia. It is time for the rebels going into the row. For the Empire and for the Christian faith, it is the same work of unity which must be carried out!

– May God hear you, replies Ossius. According to my informants, many churches delegates have set out. They will probably be more than two hundred. You did well to give up Ankyra. Nikaia will be a more worthy crown for this great council.

– That’s for faith. As for the Empire … follow me. I’ll show you. “

The two men head towards theAULA maxima where the assembly of notables and members of the various cults sheltered in the city awaits: worshipers of Demeter or Cybele, but also Jews and Christians.

Constantinos enters silence and sits on its imperial curule seat. Then beckoned to Lucius Gratius, his prefect in charge of urban planning, to present the subject of the meeting. In an instant, a map went on the large marble table, in the center of the room. We recognize the bridge (1), the large sea1, and on the strait which brings them together, the plan of a Roman city. “Buzantion!” The name of the city is propagated in an instant in the assembly. Yet in terms of, this is another name that we can read …

“Glory in Byzas, son of Poseidon and founder of this venerable city,” says the prefect in Latin. “And glory at the Augustus Constantinos who knew how to pacify our empire,” he continues in Greek, so that everyone understands. “To unify the East and the West, the Emperor has decided to transform this city into its new capital: Buzantion will soon be called Constantinopolis!” The surprise grabs the audience for a moment. We hear whispers. Constantinos rejoices while looking at the embarrassed faces. An old man then asks for the word. It is Metrophanos, the former Christian primate of Buzantion, respected by all. Silence is coming back. “Very estimated Constantinos, a blessed emperor of God, we welcome this news with joy and the honor that you return to our city. We all want it to become a capital worthy of you and the Empire. This will require long years of developments and work. You can count on our help. And today we invoke the protection of the apostle Andreia (2) which brought the good news to us. But in the meantime, that he watches above all on the learned assembly that you have summoned and that you will soon preside over Nikaia. ” Ossius listened to the old man, pensive. Was the council managed to unify the church?

1. Names given to the Black Sea and the Mediterranean.
2. According to the tradition of the church, Saint André, one of the twelve apostles, Simon-Pierre’s brother, preached the gospel on the banks of the Black Sea.