When a young deacon arrives at the imperial city of Nicaea in 325 CE, he expects to simply record theological debates. Instead, he finds himself entangled in murder and conspiracy that could determine the future of Christianity itself.
As Emperor Constantine convenes the first ecumenical council to resolve disputes over Christ's divine nature, Theophilus of Alexandria serves as a humble scribe to Bishop Alexander. The stakes are high—theological unity is essential for Constantine's vision of a Christianized empire.
But when a bishop is poisoned and evidence of political manipulation emerges, Theophilus stumbles upon a plot reaching far beyond doctrinal disagreement. A powerful faction is manipulating the council's outcome, silencing opponents, and reducing divine truth to a tool of imperial policy.
With unexpected allies—including Arius, the very "heretic" his bishop opposes—Theophilus races to expose the conspiracy before more lives are lost. As imperial power collides with ecclesiastical independence, he must choose between safety...