Finally, Theognis told a beautiful story of how devoted women came to the sepulcher where Jesus’ body had been placed, ready to anoint it for the final rites, only to find the tomb empty. His voice ringing now with the hope that Jesus’ resurrection from the dead had brought to all who followed him, he told of the Naz arene’s appearances to his followers, who were called apostles. And particularly of one man called Saul of Tarsus, who, though at first a persecutor of the Christians, was renamed Paul when he was called by Jesus to spread the good news abroad, and who had become a veritable torch of truth.
“Jesus speaks in the hearts of all of us every day,” Theognis said in closing his discourse. “If we but listen and give ourselves to him, we too shall know the gladness of the Apostle Paul when at last he was shown the purpose God intended for him. And sure then of our own purpose, whatever may befall us, we are filled always with the Holy Spirit with which we shall triumph over death, even as was promised us by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”
Christians believed to be the son of their god
The sermon was finished, but there was still another part of the service of worship, something called a sacrament, which Theognis announced as the Agape. Constantine wondered whether the dreadful rites, of which he had heard, the drinking of blood and the eating of flesh, would come now. But the ceremony was simple and beautiful, marked by breaking bread and eating it in memory of the man the Christians believed to be the son of their god. And by the drinking of wine as, Theognis said, Jesus had drunk it during a farewell supper with his disciples in Jerusalem on the night before he had suffered the terrible death reserved usually for escaped criminals, soldiers who defected and the basest of traitors.
Constantine did not partake, nor did his mother, but Minervina joined those who knelt together before the altar to eat and to drink. After the service of worship, many people crowded around to speak to Helena and Minervina and finally the priest himself came over to where they were standing. Theognis did not appear quite so tall without his imposing robe, but the light in his eyes was friendly and the grip he gave Constantine’s forearm when they were introduced was firm and strong.
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