It is the
contention of Tillemont that this cannot apply to the great
Athanasius, to whom Meletius is not likely to have refused
communion, but is more probably to be referred to some other unknown
Athanasius. Maran, however, points out (Vit. Bas.
xxii.) not only how the circumstances fit in, but how the statement
that communion was refused by Meletius is borne out by Letter
cclviii. § 3, q.v. Athanasius was in
fact so far committed to the other side in the unhappy Antiochene
dispute that it was impossible for him to recognise Meletius.
cf. Newman, Church of the Fathers, chap.
vii.