POCZĄTEK „KONTROWERSJI ARIAŃSKIEJ”

THE BEGINNING OF THE „ARIAN CONTROVERSY”We know today that the so called „Arian controversy” began with a certain theological dispute; the dispute was initiated by bishop Alexander and presbyter Arius. The argument concerned the interpretation of a certain fragment of the Holy Scripture. It is not known when exactly the dispute took place, but in all likelihood, it occurred at the beginning of the twenties of the IV century. In the article, the author analyzes the three texts which are fundamental to the above controversy, namely: Arius’ Letter to Alexander in which he presents his own credo, Alexander’s Letter to All the Bishops, from which we learn about the condemnation of Arius and his followers by the synod which had gathered specially for this end in Alexandria, and finally Arius’ Letter to Eusebius of Nicomedia. In his letter, Arius appeals to his followers for support in his dispute with the bishop. In the article, the author draws our attention to the fact that the above controversy could not have been the real reason for calling the Nicene Council as Emperor Constantine tended to ignore its significance which is best borne out by his letter to Alexander and Arius sent in the autumn of A.D. 324 and delivered in person by bishop Hosius of Cordoba. When the emperor had learnt about the fiasco of Hosius’ mission, it was already too late to invite the bishops to Nice for July 325, as they would not have received the invitation in time to be able to travel to Nice and attend the Council.