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Translated by Cardinal Newman.
St Athanasius the Great Resources Online and in Print
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This Part: 128 Pages
Page 55
Index.
An Index of the months of each year, and of the days, and of the Indictions, and of the Consulates, and of the Governors in Alexandria, and of all the Epacts, and of those [days] which are named 'of the Gods [3823] ,' and the reason [any Letter] was not sent, and the returns from exile [3824] --from the Festal Letters of Pope Athanasius.
The Festal Letters of Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria, which he sent year by year, to the several cities and all the provinces subject to him; that is, from Pentapolis, and on to Libya, Ammoniaca, the greater and the lesser Oasis, Egypt, and Augustamnica, with the Heptanomis of [3825] the upper and middle Thebais; [commencing] from the 44th [3826] year of the Diocletian Era, in which the Paschal Festival was on xvi [3827] Pharmuthi; xviii Kal. Mai; xviii Moon; when Alexander, his predecessor, having departed this life on xxii Pharmuthi [3828] , he [Athan.] succeeded him after the Paschal festival on xiv Pauni, Indict. i, Januarius and Justus being Consuls, the governor Zenius of Italy being the Praefect of Egypt, Epact xxv; Gods, i.
I. (Aug. 29, 328, to Aug. 28, a.d. 329.) In this year, Easter-day was on xi Pharmuthi; viii. Id. Ap.; xxii Moon; Coss. Constantinus Aug. viii, Constantinus Caes. IV; the same governor Zenius being Praefect of Egypt; Indict. ii; Epact vi; Gods, ii. This was the first Letter he [Athan.] sent; for he was ordained Bishop in the preceding year after the Paschal feast, Alexander, as is known, having despatched one for that year, before he was released from life. This was in the 45th of the Diocletian era.
II. (329-330.) In this year, Easter-day was on xxiv Pharmuthi; xiii Kal. Mai; xv Moon; Coss. Gallicianus, Symmachus; the governor Magninianus the Cappadocian being Praefect of Egypt; Indict. iii; Epact xvii; Gods, iii. In this year he went through the Thebais.
III. (330-331.) In this year, Easter-day was on xvi Pharmuthi; xviii Moon; iii Id. Ap.; Coss. Annius Bassus, Ablavius; the governor Hyginus [3829] of Italy, Praefect of Egypt; Epact xxviii; Indict. iv. He sent this Letter while journeying on his return from the Imperial Court. For in this year he went to the Imperial Court to the Emperor Constantine the Great, having been summoned before him, on account of an accusation his enemies made, that he had been appointed when too young. He appeared, was thought worthy of favour and honour, and returned [3830] when the fast was half finished.
[3823] The 'Gods' correspond to the Concurrentes,' i.e. to the days of the week upon which Mar. 24 occurs in the year in question. (See Table, and Ideler, 2. 261), and so to the 'Sunday letters,' which follow the 'gods' in inverse order, 'a' corresponding to years when there were 6 'gods,' b to 5, &c., f to 1, g to 7.
[3824] The meaning of these words is doubtful. Larslow renders them 'the answers from abroad.'
[3825] Read 'and.'
[3826] i.e. the year beginning Aug. 30, 327 (328 being leap-year). The 'Diocletian' era, or era 'of the martyrs,' was that used by the Egyptian Christians. It is incorrectly described in D.C.A. s.v. Era; see Ideler, ut supr.
[3827] Read xix (April 14). The corruption is easy in Syriac.
[3828] April 17.
[3829] The heading to Ep. 3 gives Florentius.
[3830] This ought to have been placed under iv; but see p. 512, note 7.
Reference address : https://elpenor.org/athanasius/letters.asp?pg=55
