Letter 50008: You will have heard reports of what has happened here, and I want you to have the truth from me directly, not from...

From: Ambrose, Bishop of Milan To: His sister Marcellina Date: ~386 AD Context: Ambrose reports to his sister Marcellina on the dramatic confrontation with Empress Justina over the basilicas of Milan. The empress, an Arian, demanded that Ambrose surrender one of Milan's churches for Arian worship. Ambrose refused and occupied the basilica with his congregation. Ambrose to his most beloved sister Marcellina — greetings. You will have heard reports of what has happened here, and I want you to have the truth from me directly, not from rumor. The court demanded that I hand over the Portian Basilica [a church outside the walls of Milan] for the use of the Arians. I refused. They then demanded the New Basilica [the main cathedral within the city]. I refused again. "The emperor has the right to the basilicas," they told me. I answered: "The emperor has his palaces; let him leave the churches to the bishop. What belongs to God cannot be claimed by Caesar." They sent soldiers. The people gathered around me and would not leave. For days we held the church. The soldiers surrounded us but could not — or would not — force their way in. Many of the soldiers were themselves Catholics and wept at being placed in this position. During those days of siege, we sang hymns [Ambrose is credited with introducing congregational hymn-singing to the Western church, partly to sustain morale during this very crisis]. The Arians mocked us, saying we had bewitched the people with our songs. If that is sorcery, I confess it freely — there is no spell more powerful than the confession of the Trinity. At last the court relented. The soldiers withdrew. The basilica remained ours. But I do not deceive myself that this is over. Justina [the emperor's mother and an ardent Arian] will try again. The next confrontation may not end so peacefully. Pray for us, sister. And know that whatever comes, we will not surrender what belongs to Christ.

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