(The novel by Nicea 6/7) The opening of the synod

Come, we can go through there. »Demetrios sneaks through the crowd that gathered in the aisles of the immense basilica. Petronia and Simonos have a hard time following it to the wooden barrier which delimits the space reserved for the public, very close to the central apse. ” Look at ! Our master has already found his place, ”says the Ethiopian priest, joining the young scribe. Indeed, in the middle of the imposing nave which served a few years earlier as the city’s commercial affairs center, Alexandros sits among other prelates gathered in a semicircle.

In order not to create unnecessary tensions, everyone’s places were drawn the same morning. Petronia looks at each other for a long time. Some, of an already advanced age, seem exhausted by the long journey that has led them so far. From experience, she also recognizes the more or less visible marks of the persecution carried by several patriarchs or their loved ones: here, a headband on a pierced eye, there, the difficult walking of those to whom we broke the legs or who have known fear and hunger in the jails. Seizure, the Diaconesse cannot control a thrill of dread that crosses its entire body.

“The one who advances, with the white toga and the green overlord, is Eusebios de Kaisareia (1) ! Suddenly exclaims Demetrios. He heard him preach a few days before near the forum, for the Dormition of the Virgin. A clear and dense word, with this somewhat rough accent of the Christians of Palestine. He then seemed to him a captain of a ship that split the raging waves.

“He comes to greet our master!” But who is this man with him?

– It’s Ossius, from Cordoba, the emperor’s advisor, breathes a young man to his ear. Its role will be important in future debates.

– And you, who are you? Request Demetrios, intrigued.

– My name is Cyrion. I’m scribe. I accompany another Eusebios, the bishop of Nicomedia, who comes here, with a few others, to defend the doctrine of Areios. He is absent, but I hope that my master will be able to hear reason for the emperor. As if this word had made it happen, there seems to be Constantinos. Preceded by a prefect and two legionaries, followed by his mother Augusta Hélène (2) a group of leaders from the province and notables from Nikaia, he advances in the nave. An impressive silence falls on the assembly. Contrary to the protocol use, it is not a martial rolling of military drum which marks the opening of the ceremony, but a choir which takes up the hymn that the apostle Paulos had taught the Christians of Philippi: “Be in you the dispositions which are in Christ Jesus, He who, having the condition of God, did not jealously attract him to God. After a few words of welcome, Constantinos sits on his seat and beckons for two Roman lends to start their office. Demetrios does not lose a crumb of the scene. As the long litany of the names of all the prelates present at this synod is proclaimed, he returns to his head the list he had patiently made for his master. “I almost all had them!” He rejoices a little later when he left the basilica, which the assembly of the curious was invited to leave so that the discussions could begin. Petronia smiles with tenderness: there is still childhood in the heart of this teenager who grows so quickly here.

“But … I’m not sure I have understood what the emperor meant …” continues Demetrios. He takes up the wax tablet on which he carefully recorded the words of Constantinos: “You are the bishops responsible for the affairs of the only church of the single God. As for me, I am the bishop wanted by God for all the affairs of the only empire he entrusted to me. So I’m one of you. Let us put ourselves together at work. “Demetrios reflects then adds:” Didn’t Christos tell his disciples that we had to give back to Caesar what is to Caesar and God what belongs to God? ” “Before Petronia tries to answer, Simonos intervenes strongly:” It’s all good, but I’m hungry. What if we were going to eat? “Seeing Cyrion, Nicomedia’s young scribe, Demetrios offers him:” Are you coming with us? ” »»