and were driven out by the violence of that harsh persecution; nor were they even allowed the decorum befitting women. A Many who had received wounds were cast out, the pools were filled with blood, and the sacred waters were reddened with gore. Nor did the evil stop even there: they burst into the places where the holy things were kept—some of whom, as we have learned, were not even initiated—and saw all that was within. And the most holy blood of Christ, in the midst of such a tumult, was poured out upon the garments of the aforementioned, and all things happened as if in a barbarian captivity. B The people were driven out into the wilderness, and the whole population fled outside the city; the churches were left empty of people during such a great feast, and more than forty bishops who were in communion with us, along with the laity, were driven out rashly and for no cause. Everywhere were wailing, lamentations, weeping, and fountains of tears in the marketplaces, in the houses, and in the wildernesses; and every part of the city was filled with these calamities. For because of the magnitude of such iniquity, C not only those who were suffering, but even those who were suffering no such thing, sympathized with us; not only Catholics, but even heretics, Jews, and pagans—and as if the city had been taken by force, so were all things in tumult, perturbation, and outcry. And these things were done contrary to the will of the most religious emperor, while night was falling, arranged by bishops who were not ashamed to have Campiductores going before them like deacons. But when the day dawned, the whole city moved outside the walls, like sheep dispersed, celebrating the feast day under the trees and in the woods. D You may judge from these things all that followed; for, as I said before, it is impossible to relate what was done item by item. And what is most distressing is that such and so great evils have not even now come to an end, nor is there any hope of an end; but the evil is increased day by day, and we have become a laughingstock to many—or rather, no one laughs, even if he were of the utmost wickedness; all weep, as I have said, at the climax of evils, this unheard-of iniquity. Now who could recount the disturbances of the remaining Churches? For this evil did not stop here, but reached even unto the East. A For as the remaining members are corrupted when a foul humor is poured out from the head, so, from the evils that have sprung up in this great city, as from a fountain, the tumults have progressed everywhere, and clergy have risen up against bishops everywhere, and the peoples are some already torn apart, others about to be torn apart very soon; and everywhere there is an expectation of evils and the subversion of the whole world. Therefore, my most venerated and religious lords, when you have learned that these things are so, I beseech you to show the fortitude and zeal that becomes you, so that such great iniquity which has invaded the Churches may be restrained. B For if this custom prevails, and if it shall be allowed to anyone to invade the provinces of others—and that at such great intervals—and to cast out whomsoever one wishes, doing whatever one pleases by one's own authority, you know that all things will go to ruin, and an inexpiable war will descend upon the whole world, with everyone casting out everyone else and being cast out in turn. Lest, therefore, such great confusion should invade all the earth under heaven, I ask that you declare by letter that those things which were done so iniquitously by one part, in our absence and without our declining a trial, have no force, just as they have none by their own nature; and that those who have dared such things be subjected to the penalties of ecclesiastical law. C We, therefore, who have been neither convicted nor accused nor shown to be guilty, ask to be granted the enjoyment of your letters and your charity, as before. But if those who have perpetrated such things wish now also to bring charges for which they have unjustly cast us out, then, by giving us the acts, and when the libels and accusers have appeared, we shall plead our cause before incorrupt judges and show that we are without fault in those matters of which we are accused, as indeed we are. For what was done by them is contrary to all order, contrary to all laws and ecclesiastical canons; neither in the judgments of the pagans, nor truly in any barbarian tribunal, have such things ever been done; D indeed, not even Scythians or Sarmatians have ever judged in such a way, passing judgment from one side, in the absence of the accused, when he was not declining judgment but was calling for countless judges, claiming he was innocent, and was ready to clear himself of the charges before the whole world and to show himself guiltless in all things. Reflecting on all these things, then, when you have clearly learned them from my most pious brothers the bishops, I beseech you to join your zeal to theirs. Thus you will deserve well not only of us, but also of the common state of the Churches, and you will receive a reward from God, who continually does all things for the peace of the Churches. This same letter was also written to Venerius, bishop of Milan, and to Chromatius, bishop of Aquileia. Farewell in the Lord.