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CHAP. XV. That Alexander dying after the [Nicene] Synod, Athanasius was consecrated Bishop of the City Alexandria.
a 1.1 SOon after, upon the death of Alexander Bishop of Alexandria, Athanasius was pro∣moted to the presidency over that Church. Ru∣finus relates, that this person, when he was very young, did, together with those that were his equals in age, play at a kind of an holy sport: this play was an imita∣tion of the sacerdotal fun∣ction, and of those persons order that were Clergy men. In this sport therefore A∣thanasius was elected Bishop, and every one of the rest of the children acted either a Presbyter, or a Deacon. This sport the children plaid at on that day, whereon was celebrated the Memory of Peter the Martyr and Bi∣shop. Alexander Bishop of Alexandria accidentally passing by at that time, saw all their play. And, having afterwards sent for the children, he enquir'd of them what place had been allotted to every one of them in the play, supposing that from what had been done some thing might be portended [concerning each of them.] And he gave order, that the children should be educated in the Church and instructed in learning; but most especially A∣thanasius. Afterwards when he was come to a maturity of age, he ordain'd him Deacon, and took him along with him to Nice, that he might assist him in the disputations there, at such time as that Synod was convened. These things Ru∣finus has related concerning Athanasius, in his b 1.2 books [of Ecclesiastick History:] nor is it at all unlikely that these things hapned: for many such like acts are frequently found to have been done. Thus much we have hitherto said con∣cerning Athanasius.