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Victorious Constantius, great Augustus, to the bishops and presbyters of the Universal Church. The venerable Athanasius was not abandoned by God's mercy, but, although for a short time he was subjected to human temptation, the All-Seeing Providence gave his truthful determination about him, by the will of the All-Good and by our judgment, returning to him both the fatherland and the Church in which, by God's will, he became the primate. In accordance with this, from our meekness it should also follow that all previous determinations against those who were in communication with him were consigned to oblivion, all suspicion on them was henceforth abandoned, and the rights that the clergy who were with him previously enjoyed were duly confirmed by him. But to the mercy shown to him, we considered it fair to add the following: let all those on the lists of the sacred order know that security is granted to all who adhere to Athanasius, both bishops and clergy. A sufficient sign of right-thinking in everyone will be unity with Athanasius. For all those who, guided by the best reasoning and lot, entered into communication with him, imitating the Providence that preceded us, we commanded to use now, by the will of the All-Good, the mercy given to us. May God protect you! You might be interested in: