Council of Serdica

Here they formed a council of their own, in which they not only excommunicated Athanasius, but had the impudence to excommunicate Pope Julius himself.

The council of Sardica, at which were present the orthodox bishops of Italy, Spain, Gaul, Africa, Greece, Palestine, and Egypt, was very well able to get on without them.

The innocence of Athanasius was finally established, and the Arians and their creed condemned.

A circular letter was then written to all the churches informing them of what had passed, and legates were dispatched to the two emperors, Constans and Constantius.

But since we rejoice with those who desire to be united to us, with all, but principally with those who assemble in the Old City, and have glorified the Lord, as for all things, so above all for their good purpose, we exhort you to let their union take place on these terms, and that nothing beyond this, as we said above, should be demanded by you from those who assemble in the Old City; and that Paulinus and his people should propose nothing different from nor going beyond the decisions of Nicaea.

And, for instance, as for the document which some talk of as if it had been compiled in the Council of Sardica concerning faith, do not allow it to be so much as read or brought forward, for the Synod defined nothing of the sort.

For indeed some requested that some definite formula should be drawn up, as if the Nicene Creed were defective, and indeed rashly attempted this.

But the Holy Council assembled at Sardica was indignant and decreed that no new formulary about the faith should be drawn up, but the faith confessed at Nicaea by the Fathers should be deemed sufficient, because nothing was lacking to it, but on the contrary it was full of true religion, and that no second creed should be put forth, lest that which was written at Nicaea should be regarded as incomplete, and an occasion should be given to those who desired to be often drawing up formularies and definitions about faith.