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Values are often elaborated into labyrinthine doctrines. Christianity had existed for over three hundred years and it had been persecuted and repressed for most of its existence. However, it had grown in numbers, especially in urban areas. It had grown so much that the Roman leader Constantine had embraced it and turned it into the official religion of the empire.

Whilst most of its adherents would adhere to the values of Christianity, it was only a select few who would quibble over the minutia of doctrine. There were bishops, presbyters and priests who would familiarise themselves with the abstruse details of Christian theology.

One would not want to transgress doctrine too much, as that would make one a heretic. However, there were many points in theology which were open to interpretation and debate. There was one such rift which arose in Alexandria, after one of its priests, Arius, claimed that God the father preceded the son and created the God from matter. Usually, in Christian doctrine, God and the Son are equal and one does not precede the other. There was a period in time in which the Son did not exist, but God later created him. Arius claimed ‘there was when he was not.’

This was a serious affront to Christian orthodoxy and it created lively debate. Indeed, Arius had attracted a large cohort, who called themselves ‘Arians.’ He had created a whole subset of Christianity which centred itself on his arguments. However, his arguments enraged many Christians, as he seemed to suggest that Jesus was not fully God.

It was a major turning point in the history of Christianity. As such, Constantine attempted to settle the matter by convening councils in Antioch, then in Alexandria, then in Ancrya, but they finally decided to host the definitive council in Nicaea.

The council was held in a large building with colonnades and a circular ceiling. There was an excellent temperature in the air, with a pleasant breeze. There were two-hundred-and-fifty bishops from all over Europe. They were all assembled in seats around the stage, as they gazed down at it with interest. The crucifixes swung around their chests, they were all clad in black and their mitres were placed above their heads.

Constantine, a brash, irascible, assertive, soldier and leader took the podium at the centre of stage. The gaggle of bishops – the omnipresence of black and the gleaming crucifixes and mitres was particularly noticeable – peered down at him. ‘Welcome, friends,’ Constantine. ‘Oh, Paphnutius!’ Constantine exclaimed. He was referring to the bishop who had been blinded during the Great Persecution. He wandered over to him and kissed his eye sockets. ‘I want to kiss that divine void,’ he jokingly stated, as he ambled back to the podium. ‘Dear brothers, we are united today, so as to establish whether Jesus is consubstantial with the father. All of you, great and learned bishops, have come from all over Europe so as to determine an answer to this question. Arius has certainly provoked many people with his views, but he has garnered a loyal following. This has been such a pressing issue for us Christians that we will have to resolve it once and for all. Did God precede Jesus and create him, or are they consubstantial? I make no secret that I believe in the latter argument, but nonetheless we have still convened this council so as to settle this issue. Therefore, so as to settle this monumental issue – let’s welcome our bishops.’

Everyone clapped, as Constantine retreated from the podium. Alexander of Alexandria, Eusthanius of Antioch, Hosius of Corduba came in at one side, arguing in favour of consubstantiality. They outnumbered Arius and Eusebius of Nicomedia, who argued in favour of Arius’ own doctrine.

All of the bishops looked stern, they even seemed to have a fixed scowl on their faces. Eusthanius of Antioch had long white hair and a long bushy beard. There was something gracious about him, even if at this moment in time he looked extremely displeased. Alexander of Alexandria had a bald head and, once more, a long white beard. He had a long nose and black circles under his eyes. Hosius of Coruduba had a weary expression on his, with a few grey hairs, but he had predominantly black hair. They were all confronted on the other side by Arius and Eusebius. Arius had crossed eyes and a somewhat smug expression. Finally, Eusebius had black hair, a long black beard, a large nose, large ears and an amiable countenance.

Alexander paced forward and made the following pronouncement: ‘You scoundrels! You have affronted one of the central pillars of our religion. God and Jesus are, and always have been, equal. One does not precede the other; to claims so is to argue that Jesus is not fully God. You are arguing that Jesus is more human than God. You are arguing that God precedes him. You are even arguing that there was a point in space and time in which Jesus did not exist!’ As he said this, his crucifix swung back and forth across his chest.

Eusthanius now came forward. He did not really make any arguments – emotion superseded his rational faculties, so he recoursed to a series of personal insults. ‘Apostates! Heretics! You are not true Christians! You should be flung into the depths of hell, where you belong!’

Hosius came forward: ‘Christian doctrine is very clear,’ he said, in a calmer and collected manner than Eusthanius, ‘Jesus and God co-eternal. This makes Jesus fully God – you are denying his divinity of his sacrifice. You are also denying the fact that man can become divine,’ claimed Hosius.

Eusebius walked forward: ‘These are all calumnies and distortions. We are not arguing that Jesus is not divine, we are not denying the divinity of his sacrifice. We are simply arguing that God preceded him and created him.’

After Eusebius said this, the audience began to catcall, as the three bishops continued to throw insults at the two bishops.

Arius came forward, as practically the entire building seemed to have turned against him: ‘This is a legitimate theological argument! Many people have accepted my arguments! This, this is a lynch mob, not a serious discussion. You have colluded to turn against us! You have not given us a chance to present our arguments properly! This, this is a disgrace!’ he vociferated, as he pointed his finger across all the directions of the room.

Now Constantine came forward. The endless noise of hisses and boos continued, but this soon died down. ‘We appear to have reached a consensus. God and Jesus are co-eternal – they are consubstantial, a term which you have repeatedly rejected, Arius. I can now confirm that this is the official doctrine of the Roman church. I will exile you, Arius, to Illyricum.’

The entire building once more started to catcall. However, Arius continued to defend himself. ‘I will create a following! You will see! Many people will follow my teachings! You have not defeated me, or my arguments, or my movement! I will not retire into the wilderness! I will continue my work and I will continue to promote my teachings! This is not the last that you will see of me! I promise! I promise!’ He shouted at the top of his voice, as he continued to gesticulate.

The catcalls continued for ten minutes, as Arius and Eusebius disappeared from the building. Constantine stayed quiet, as he surveyed the room with a grin on his face.