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THE church having been in this manner spread throughout the whole
Roman world, religion was introduced even among the barbarians
themselves. The tribes on both sides of the Rhine were
Christianized, as likewise the Celts and the Gauls who dwelt upon
the most distant shores of the ocean; the Goths, too, and such
tribes as were contiguous to them, who formerly dwelt on either of the
high shores of the Danube, had long shared in the Christian faith,
and had changed into a gentler and more rational observance. Almost
all the barbarians had professed to hold the Christian doctrine in
honor, from the time of the wars between the Romans and foreign
tribes, under the government of Gallienus and the emperors who
succeeded him. For when an unspeakable multitude of mixed nations
passed over from Thrace into Asia and overran it, and when other
barbarians from the various regions did the same things to the adjacent
Romans, many priests of Christ who had been taken captive, dwelt
among these tribes; and during their residence among them, healed the
sick, and cleansed those who were possessed of demons, by the name of
Christ only, and by calling on the Son of God; moreover they led a
blameless life, and excited envy by their virtues. The barbarians,
amazed at the conduct and wonderful works of these men, thought that it
would be prudent on their part, and pleasing to the Deity, if they
should imitate those whom they saw were better; and, like them, would
render homage to God. When teachers as to what should be done, had
been proposed to them, the people were taught and baptized, and
subsequently were gathered into churches.
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