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THE emperor went to Antioch, and entirely ejected from the churches
of that city and of the neighboring cities all those who adhered to the
Nicene doctrines; moreover, he oppressed them with manifold
punishments; as some affirm, he commanded many to be put to death in
various ways, and caused others to be cast into the river Orontes.
Having heard that there was a magnificent oratory at Edessa, named
after the Apostle Thomas, he went to see it. He beheld the members
of the Catholic Church assembled for worship in the plain before the
walls of the city; for there, too, they had been deprived of their
houses of prayer. It is said that the emperor reproached the prefect
thoroughly and struck him on the jaw with his fist for having permitted
these congregations contrary to his edict. Modestus (for this was the
name of the prefect), although he was himself a heretic, secretly
warned the people of Edessa not to meet for prayer on the accustomed
spot the next day; for he had received orders from the emperor to
punish all who should be seized. He uttered such threats with the
forethought that none, or at least but a few, would incur danger, and
with the desire to appease the wrath of the monarch. But the people of
Edessa, totally disregarding the threat, ran together with more than
their customary zeal, and filled the usual place of meeting.
Modestus, on being apprised of their proceedings, was undecided as to
what measures ought to be adopted, and repaired in embarrassment to the
plain with the throng. A woman, leading a child by the hand, and
trailing her mantle in a way unbefitting the decency of women, forced
her way through the files of the soldiers who were conducted by the
prefect, as if bent upon some affair of importance. Modestus remarked
her conduct, ordered her to be arrested, and summoned her into his
presence, to inquire the cause of her running. She replied that she
was hastening to the plain where the members of the Catholic Church
were assembled. "Know you not," replied Modestus, "that the
prefect is on his way thither for the purpose of condemning to death all
who are found on the spot?" "I have heard so," replied she, "and
this is the very reason of my haste; for I am fearful of arriving too
late, and thus losing the honor of martyrdom for God." The governor
having asked her why she took her child with her, she replied, "In
order that he may share in the common suffering, and participate in the
same reward." Modestus, struck with astonishment at the courage of
this woman, went to the emperor, and, acquainting him with what had
occurred, persuaded him not to carry out a design which he showed to be
disgraceful and disastrous. Thus was the Christian faith confessed by
the whole city of Edessa.
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