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Even when the wicked had become acquainted with these events they set
themselves in array against the God of all; and the prince ordered the
holy vessels to be handed over to the imperial treasury. Of the great
church which Constantine had built he nailed up the doors and declared
it closed to the worshippers wont to assemble there. At this time it
was in possession of the Arians. In company with Julianus the
prefect of the East, Felix the imperial treasurer, and Elpidius,
who had charge of the emperor's private purse and property, an officer
whom it is the Roman custom to call "Comes privatarum," made their
way into the sacred edifice. Both Felix and Elpidius, it is said,
were Christians, but to please the impious emperor apostatised from
the true religion. Julianus committed an act of gross indecency on the
Holy Table and, when Euzoius endeavoured to prevent him, gave him a
blow on the face, and told him, so the story goes, that it is the
fate of the fortunes of Christians to have no protection from the
gods. But Felix, as be gazed upon the magnificence of the sacred
vessels, furnished with splendour by the munificence of Constantine
and Constantius, "Behold," said he, "with what vessels Mary's
son is served." But it was not long before they paid the penalty of
these deeds of mad and impious daring.
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