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“Athanasius' flight into exile had not simply been one of reaction. He had carefully thought out the proper response to persecution. He wrote: "To all men generally, even to us, this law is given, to flee when persecuted, and to hide when sought after, and not rashly tempt the Lord . . . but that men should be ready, that, when the time comes, or when they are taken, they may contend for the truth even unto death. This rule the blessed martyrs observed in their several persecutions. When persecuted they fled, while concealing themselves they showed fortitude, and when discovered they summitted to martyrdom.” — Michael E. Molloy
Athanasius' flight into exile had not simply been one of reaction. He had carefully thought out the proper response to persecution. He wrote: "To all men generally, even to us, this law is given, to flee when persecuted, and to hide when sought after, and not rashly tempt the Lord . . . but that men should be ready, that, when the time comes, or when they are taken, they may contend for the truth even unto death. This rule the blessed martyrs observed in their several persecutions. When persecuted they fled, while concealing themselves they showed fortitude, and when discovered they summitted to martyrdom.