To the Antiochenes

Athanasius, with bishops from Alexandria, appeals to Antiochian ministers to welcome back those separating from Arian factions, especially those gathered at Palai, on the sole condition that they anathematize Arian doctrine and confess the Nicene faith, including rejection of the idea that the Holy Spirit is a created being or separate from the Son. He instructs pastoral, fatherly reception-demanding no further conditions regarding Paulinus-and warns against adopting or circulating any additional creed (notably a rumored Sardican note), since Sardica reaffirmed that the Nicene confession alone suffices. His goal is unity in the one faith and to prevent further schism and doctrinal confusion.