But lest his hiding should become burdensome to anyone, and lest occasion for calumny against innocent persons should be sought, presuming nothing further to be safe for himself within the realm of Constantius, he withdrew as a fugitive to the regions of Constans. By him he was received with much honor and reverence. And Constans, having more diligently inquired into his case, of which he had learned by report, wrote to his brother that he had ascertained for certain that Athanasius, a priest of the Most High God, was suffering exile and flight unjustly. He would therefore act rightly if he restored him to his place without any trouble; but if he refused to do so, Constans would make it his care to accomplish it himself, penetrating into the inmost parts of his brother's realm, and exacting the most fitting penalties from the authors of the crime.
Terrified by this letter, Constantius (since he was conscious that his brother could do what he threatened) ordered Athanasius, with feigned kindness, to come to him of his own accord, and after touching him with a light rebuke, permitted him to go in safety to his own Church. The Emperor, however, prompted by impious counselors, said: 'It is no great thing, Athanasius, that the bishops ask of you—that you grant to the people of those who refuse to be in communion with you one out of the many churches that are at Alexandria.' Then Athanasius, God prompting him, found counsel ready for the moment, and said: 'And what is there, O Emperor, that could be denied to you when you ask, who have the power to command all things?'
'But there is one thing I beg, that you would also graciously grant this little petition of mine.' And when the Emperor promised that he would furnish all that Athanasius wished, however difficult they might be, if only he would willingly yield this one point, Athanasius said: 'This is what I ask, that since here also' (for the matter was being transacted at Antioch) 'there are people of ours who refuse to be in communion with these, one church may be granted them to hold.' The Emperor cheerfully pledged that this seemed to him most equitable and ought greatly to be granted. But when he referred the matter to those whose counsels he was using, they replied that they were willing neither there to accept a church, nor here to give one, because each of them took thought for himself rather than for those who were absent.
Thus the Emperor, marveling at his prudence, ordered him to hasten more quickly to take possession of his own Church. But when, by the crime of Magnentius, the Emperor Constans was deprived of his realm and his life at once, those old instigators of the prince began again to revive their hatred against Athanasius; and having driven him from the Church, they sent in his place a certain George, a partner in their treachery and savagery. For previously they had sent a certain Gregory. Again flight, again hiding places, and again edicts of the prince against Athanasius were posted everywhere, promising rewards and honors to informers.
He too, when he had come to the regions of the West both to avenge his brother's murder and to recover the realm, and when, the tyrant being slain, he held the citadel of the empire alone, set about wearying the Western bishops and, by deception, driving them to consent to the Arian heresy, the condemnation of Athanasius having first been sent ahead, and as it were the obstacle of a most powerful barrier having been removed.