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Acts of Sylvester and Constantine

Below are the original Latin and the English translation of Acts of Sylvester. In addition there is the English translation of Acts/Life of Constantine (9th century version, not written by Eusbius of Ceasaria)

Acts of Sylvester Latin

508  SYLVESTER  [cclxxvmr  –

statim  integra  sanitate  recepta  reuertatur  incolumis  :  uel  reliquae  infirmitates  quee

genus  hominum  inuadere  solent  :  assidue  per  dei  gratiam  intercedentibus  martyribus

auxiliante  domino  ad  pristinam  redeunt  sanitalem  .  passus  est  sanctus  Sigismundus

calendis  maiis  :  regnante  domino  nostro  lesu  christo  :  Gui  est  honor  et  gloria  in

5  sascula  saeculorum  .

PROLOGVS  IN  VITAM  SANGTI  SYLVESTRI

PAPAE  ET  GONFESSORIS  .

Historiograpbus+  noster  Eusebius  Caesarise  Palestinae  urbis  episcopus  cum  historiam

ecclesiasticam  scriberet  .  pretermisit  ea  :  quae  in  aliis  opusculis  sunt  :  uel  quae  se

10  meminit  retulisse  :  Nam  uiginti  libros  idest  duas  decadas  omnium  pene  prouinciarum

passio  I  nes  martyrum  et  episcoporum  et  confessorum  et  sacrarum  uirginum  ac  mu-

lierum  continere  fecit  .  Deinde  secutus  et  ab  apostolo  Petro  omnium  episcoporum

nomina  et  gesta  conscripsit  :  et  earum  urbium  :  quae  arcem  pontificatus  per  aposto-

licas  sedes  tenere  noscuntur  :  ut  urbs  Roma  .  Antiochia  .  hyerosolima  .  Ephesus  et

15  Alexandria  .  Harum  urbium  episcoporum  omnium  prceteritorum  nomina  usque  ad

tempus  suum  et  gesta  graeco  sermone  conscripsit  :  Ex  quo  numero  unum  episcopo-

rum  urbis  Romae  sanctum  Syluestrum  me  de  graeco  in  latinum  transferre  praecepisti

domine  sancte  ac  beatissime  pater  .  Quia  itaque  exiguum  me  ad  translationem  hanc

esse  consydero  :  elegi  hoc  detegere  :  quod  sim  parui  sermonis  et  inertis  ingenii  :  Vnde

20  obsecro  :  ut  pro  me  tuis  orationibus  impetres  :  ne  qui  culpam  contemptoris  fugio  :

praesumptoris  noxam  incurram  :  sed  tuis  orationibus  ueniam  me  consequi  non  dubito  .

Credo  enim  quod  prando  impleri  facias  :  quod  me  arripere  iubendo  fecisti  .

Syluester  urbis  Romae  episcopus  cum  infantulus  esset  a  uidua  matre  lusta  nomine

et  opere  traditus  est  ut  erudiretur  a  Gyrino  presbytero  :  cui  quottidie  sedulum  exhi-

25  bebat  officium  :  Eius  autem  uitam  imitatus  et  mores  :  ad  summum  apicem  christianae

religionis  attigit  .  Hospitalitatis  namque  illi  diligentia  in  usu  fuit  :  quam  non  propter

laudem  huius  uitae  sed  bonae  uolunlatis  gratiam  adimplebat  ,  Vnde  factum  est  :  ut

Thimotheum  quendam  illustrem  uirum  christianum  ab  Antiochia  uenientem  Chri-

stumque  publice  praedicantem  tempore  persecutionis  hospitio  reciperet  :  quod  omnes

30  pene  christiani  hoc  facto  expauescere  coeperunt  .  Syluester  uero  non  solum  eum

hospitio  suscepisse  gaudebat  :  sed  et  timore  abiecto  tam  uitam  quam  predicationem

eius  suis  laudibus  commendabat  .  Igitur  cum  spatium  unius  anni  et  trium  mensium

a  Thymothei  pryedicatione  fluxisset  :  et  multus  per  eum  gentium  populus  ab  errore

conuersus  fuisset :  dignus  martyrio  tentus  est  a  populo  paganorum  :  fraditusque  urbis

35  praefecto  Tarquinio  :  a  quo  tormentis  plagarum  afTectus  et  longa  carceris  custodia

maceralus  qua  |]  si  bonus  athleta  dei  cum  sacrificare  idolis  noluisset  :  inter  homicidas

decollatus  est  :  quem  Syluesfer  sancfus  caute  et  diligenter  colligens  in  suum  hospi-

tium  atfulit  :  Ibique  sancfum  Melciadem  episcopum  uocans  et  per  totam  noctem  in

Dei   laudibus  permanentes  eius  marfyrium   dedicauerunt   .   Quaedam   autem   Theon

40  christianissima  foemina  in  suo  horfulo  non  longe  a  sepulfura  Pauli  aposfoli  eius

corpusculum  suscepit  :  quod  facfum  omnibus  chrisfianis  ualde  placuit  :  ut  huius

nominis  marfyrem  uicinum  exciperef  :  et  Paulo  aposfolo  uf  quondam  adhaereret  .  Post

haec  Tarquinius  urbis  Romae  praefectus  speransThymotheum  aliquas  pecunias  habuisse  :

teneri  Syluestrum   iussit  :   Cui   et   dixit   :   nisi    mihi   scelerati   illius   omne?  dederis

45  faculfates  :  et  diis  sacrificaueris  :  diuersis  poenis  te  interficiam  .  Sed  cum  mulforum

testimonio  didicisset  :  ilhim  de  huius  mundi  diuifiis  nihil  habere  :  fifulum  iili

christianitatis  opposuif  :  dicens  cum  formentis  uariis  finiendum  :  nisi  sponte  idolis

iumolaret :  Gui  sancfus  Syluester  dixit :  scias  te  .Tferna  daninatione  mulfandum  :  si  non

cclerius  deum  dei  filium  credideris  lesum  chrisfum  .  Tunc  irafus  Propinna  Tarquinius

50  iussit  eum  in  carcerem  recipi  dicens  :  grauissimis  tormenfis  faciam  te  proxima

sessione  deficere  .  Ad  ha;c  sancfus  Syluesfer  aif  :  euangelica  fe  senfentia  alloquor  :

Stulfe  hac  nocte  anima  tua  auferefur  a  fe  :  uf  formenta  qua?  christianis  temporaha

irrogasti :  tu  aeterna  suscipias  :  et  infer  tormenta  ipsa  hunc  esse  deum  quem  chrisfiani

–  cclxxx’^]  SYLVESTER  509

colunt  recognoscas  .  Interea  Syluester  cathenis  uinctus  ad  carcerem  ducitur  :  et

rogatus  Propinna  Tarquinius  :  ad  prandium  quasi  epulaturus  accedit  :  Sed  Syluestro

in  carcere  orante  etTarquinio  in  summa  prandente  ultio  diuina  subsequitur  .  Denique

os  piscis  in  ore  eius  uersatum  est  :  quod  nulla  medicorum  arte  nulla  potuit  incanta-

torum  uanitate  transire  .  Tota  igitur  nocte  tormentis  affectus  prima  hora  diei  qua  5

sessurum  se  comminatus  fuerat  expirauit  .  Tunc  christiani  cum  sancto  Melciade

episcopo  ad  carcerem  pergunt  :  et  Syluestrum  |  inde  cum  gaudio  educentes  presbyte-

rum  sibi  omnes  fieri  exposcunt .  Sancto  itaque  Syluestro  ordinato  presbytero  tantam  ei

dominus  gratiam  concessit  :  ut  nullus  esset :  qui  non  eum  ex  affectu  diligeret  :  et  hunc

esse  dei  famulum  acclamaret  .  Melciade  autem  episcopo  migrante  ad  Ghristum  :  ab  10

omni  populo  Syluester  eligitur  .  Vox  omnium  clericorum  ac  laicorum  unaefficitur  .

Gumque  se  clamaret  indignum  :  obiiciebantur  huic  uoci  sancta  preconia  quoniam  ante

quam  presbyter  esset  :  Ghristi  confessor  esse  meruit  .  His  et  huiusmodi  assertionibus

populorum  arctatus  leuatur  urbis  Romae  episcopus  auctore  deo  :  et  quia  hoc  esse

meruit  :  operibus  declaratur  :  Erat  enim  piissimus  et  omni  suauitate  conspicuus  :  15

atque  ita  inter  pauperes  et  diuites  medius  :  ut  pauperes  illum  quasi  pauperem  :

diuites  uero  quasi  superiorem  sibi  diuitem  existimarent  .  Non  enim  ad  personae

potentiam  sed  morum  elegantiam  attendebat  :  Et  tanto  unumquenque  eminentius

honorabat  :  quanto  sanctius  eum  uiuere  didicisset  .  A  detractoribus  aures  suas  quasi

a  serpentibus  seperabat  :  dicens  hoc  quasi  uenenum  per  has  ingressum  occidere  20

animam  audientis  .  Sed  quos  opinio  lacerabat  :  suis  copulabat  amiciciis  :  nt+  monitis

dulcibus  eos  obdulcaret  :  et  elatos  superbia  Ghristo  humiles  faceret  .  Afferens  phari-

seorum  accusationem  in  medium  :  qua  culpabant  dominum  cum  publicanis  et  pecca-

toribus  manducantem  :  et  simul  respondentem  memorabat  dominum  dicens  :  non

indigent  qui  sani  sunt  medico  :  et  non  ueni  uocare  iustos  sed  peccatores  ad  poeniten-  25

tiam  .  Girca  egenos  uero  et  aduenas  ita  sollicitum  se  exibebat  :  ut  secundum  uerbum

domini  Ghristum  esse  in  his  crederet  :  non  tam  illis  quibus  conferebat  necessaria  :

quam  ipsi  Ghristo  se  conferre  gauderet  .  NuIIa  uidua  pauper  .  nullus  orphanus  indi-

gens  in  tota  urbe  romana  inueniri  poterat  :  quem  in  sua  matricula  non  haberet

conscriptum  :  uniuscuiusque  autem  tituli  ita  curam  gerebat  :  ut  quante  in  regione  30

essent  uiduae  quot  orphani  :  quot  clerici  et  nomina  et  numerum  eorum  diligenter

sciret  :  et  quasi  de  liliis  suis  pleno  carilatis  affectu  1|  sollicitudinis  suae  fructum  eorum

quottidie  necessitatibus  exhibebat .  Glericorum  omnium  ita  curam  gerebat :  ut  clericos

quos  pauperes  uidisset  diuitibus  clericis  sociaret  :  ut  secundum  apostolum  horum

inopia  illorum  abundantia  subleuaretur  .  Laicorum  cura  ita  illi  erat  :  ut  si  aliquos  35

inter  eos  studiosos  in  lege  domiai  repperisset  :  nimia  ueneratione  diligeret  .  Si  aliqua

dona  a  diuitibus  suscepisset  :  statim  ea  in  quattuor  partes  diuidens  archidiachono

committebat  :  et  una  pars  restaurationibus  ecclesiarum  uel  cymiteriorum  :  alia

clericis  :  tertia  cunctis  pauperibus  quarta  uero  aduenis  sub  ratiocinio  traderetur  .

In  illo  igitur  tempore  Euphrosinus  nomine  quidam  episcopus  ex  orientis  partibus  40

uenit  dicens  sibi  imperatum  per  reuelationem  :  ut  ad  apostolorum  limina  properaret  .

Hic  pro  nomine  domini  nostri  lesu  christi  multis  fuerat  plagis  et  exiliis  comprobatus  :

tantaque  eum  uirtutum  eflicacia  comitabatur  :  ut  etiam  si  sudario  eius  tactus  fuisset

infirmus  :  mox  recuperata  sanitate  gauderet  .  Daemonia  uero  imperio  eius  in  lesu

christi  nomine  protinus  abscedebant  .  Erat  autem  sermone  facundissimus  tam  latino  45

quam  graeco  .  Gratia  uero  cordis  eius  et  uultus  tam  pura  omnibus  apparebat  :  ut

quicumque  eius  elloquium  meruisset  audire  :  putarent  se  habere  patrem  beniuolentiae

matremque  affectus  .  Hic  cum  quoltidie  in  dei  laudibus  et  orationibus  ageret  omnibus

diebus  dominicis  specialiter  domino  adhaerebat .  Hic  quando  accedebat  ad  sacrificanda

Ghristi  mysteria  :  candidissimo  collobio  induebatur  :  quod  coUobium  sancti  lacobi  50

apostoli  fuisse  perhibebat  .  Dicebat  autem  iustum  esse  hanc  reuerentiam  a  sacerdote

obseruandam  :  ut  dum  in  diuinis  mysteriis  sacerdos  asistit  :  hic  utatur  uestibus  :  quae

habitu  apostolico  sacerdotem  exhibeant  .  Sic  factum  est  ut  a  sancto  Syluestro

presbytei-i  eius  uel  diacones  collobiorum  sumpsissent  initium  :  quod  Marcus  lulius  et

liberius  eo  ordine  usi  sunt  .  Postea  autem  collobia  in  dalmatiis  commutata  sunt  .  55

uisumque  est  melius  huic  proposito  conuenire  .  quod  accuratius  magis  placere  ualeant

aspectibus  |  populorum  .  Quartam  et  sextam  diem  et  sabbatum  ieiuniis  obseruandum

esse  spetialiter  deiiniuit  .  quintam  uero  diem  quasi  dominicam  colendam  esse  consti-

509

510  SYLVESTER  [cclxxx^  –

tuit  .  Quod  sanctus  Euphrosinus  memorabat  ab  apostolis  traditum  .  Exigebant  autem

illi  grajci  sabbatum  mag^is  celebrandum  quam  quintum  diem  :  quibus  iile  ait  :  suffi-

cere  deberet  hoc  ad  auctoritalem  nostri  propositi  :  quod  ita  tenuisse  apostolos  nostri

priores  nobis  asseruerunt  :  Tamen  quia  altercatio  flagitatur  uestrae  caritati  redenda

fj  est  ratio  .  Si  omnis  dominicus  dies  pro  reuerentia  resurrectionis  domini  tenetur  et

colitur  :  iustum  est  :  ut  omnis  sabbatorum  dies  causa  sepulturae  eius  ieiunii  susci-

piatur  instantia  :  ut  flaentes  cum  apostolo  de  morte  domini  nostri  lesu  christi  :  gau-

dere  cum  eisdem  de  resurrectione  mereamur  .  Sed  dicebant  graeci  unum  esse  sabbatum

sepulturae  :  in  quo  semel  est  in  anno  ieiunium  excolendum  :  quibus  sanctus  Syluester  :

10  Si  unum  multis^^  sabbatum  ieiunio  colere  :  unum  ergo  diem  dominicum  celebrate  .

Quod  si  omnis  dominicus  dies  resurrectionis  esse  creditur  gloria  decoratus  :  omnis

qui  eum  antecedit  dies  sabbati  sepultura?  est  ieiunio  mancipandus  :  ut  merito  gaudeat

de  resurectione  :  qui  de  morte  plorauerat  :  plorare  autem  compati  dixerim  :  saluo

eo  quod  passio  doniini  gaudii  nostri  sit  summa  :  Accepta  ergo  hac  ratione  :   grajci

15  acquieuerunt  quidem  de  sabbato  :  sed  de  quinta  feria  uaehementissime  obsistebant  :

dicentes  non  debere  hanc  quintam  diem  christianae  festiuitali  sociari  :  Quibus  papa

Syluester  respondit  :  Si  igitur  dies  dominicus  colitur  :  quia  resurrectionis  gloria

illustratus  est  :  cur  et  quinta  feria  a  christianorum  festis  putetur  excludi  :  in  qua

ascensionem  domini  constat  esse  apostolis  reuelatam  .  In  hac  etiam  die  sacrilicium

20  sacri  corporis  et  domini  sanguinis  ab  ipso  domino  celebrationis  sumpsit  initium  .

hac  die  in  toto  orbe  sanctum  chrisma  conficitur  :  hac  etiam  die  poenitentibus  per

indulgentiam  subuenitur  :  discordes  ad  concordiam  redeunt  .  pacilicantur  irati  .  dant

indulgentiam  principes  criminosis  :  seruis  malis  indulgent  domini  :  iudices  ||  etiam

latronibus  parcunt  :  patescunt  carceres  in  toto  orbe  .  Hac  die  ad  laeticiam  festiuitatis

25  exeunt  :  qui  se  clauserant  pro  auctorilate  culparum  dolentes  flajndo  :  quod  ridendo

forte  aut  irascendo  aut  lajdendo  commissum  est  .  Haec  et  his  similia  disserenle  sancto

Syluestro  quieuit  omnis  illa  contradictio  :  quam  graeci  christianissimi  et  docti  uiri

opposuisse  memorati  sunt  dicentes  :  uere  apostolica  sedes  haec  a  Petro  didicit  :  quae

nulla  possit  ratione  conuinci  .  Verum  quoniam  longum  esl  eius  sancta  dicta  et  mira-

30  bilia  stilo  currente  describere  :  ad  ea  quaj  temporibus  eius  Chrislus  ad  sui  nominis

laudem  declarauerit  ueniamus  .

./       In  illo  tempore  exiit  edictum  :  ut  christiani  ad  sacrificandum  idolis  cogerentur  :  unde

factum  esl  ut  secedens  ab  urbe  sanctus  Syluester  Sirapli  latibulo  cum  suis  se  clericis

collocaret  .  Constantinus  autem  Augustus  monarchiam  tenens  cum  plurimas  strages

35  de  christianis  dedisset  :  et  innumerabilem  populum  per  omnes  prouincias  fecisset

uariis  poenarum  generibus  interfici  :  elefantiae  a  deo  lepra  in  toto  corpore  percussus

est  .  Huic  cum  diuersa  magorum  et  medicorum  agmina  subuenire  non  potuissent  :

pontifices  capitolii  hoc  dederunt  consilium  :  debere  piscinam  lieri  in  ipso  capitolio  :

quae   puerorum   sanguine   repleretur   :   in  quam  calido  ac   fumante  sanguine   nudus

40  descendens  Augustus  mox  posset  a  uulnere  illius  leprae  mundari  .  Missum  est  igitur

et  de  rebus  fisci  uel  patrimonii  regis  ad  tria  millia  :  et  eo  amplius  adducti  ad  urbem

Romam  pontificibus  traditi  sunt  Capitolii  .  Die  autem  constituto  egrediente  impera-

tore  Constantino  palatium  ad  hoc  eunti  ad  capitollium  :  ut  sanguis  innoxius  fuii-

deretur   :    occurrit    mullitudo    mulierum    :    quK    omnes    resolutis    crinibus    nuda-

45  tisque  pectoribus  dantes  hululatus  et  mugitus  coram  eo  se  in  plaleis  fundentes

lachrymas  strauerunt  ,  Percunctatus  itaque  Constantinus  Auguslus  qua  de  causa

multitudo  hasc  mulierum  ista  faceret :  didicit  has  matres  esse  filiorum  eorum  :  quorum

efl^undendus  erat  sanguis  :  tandiu  quousque  piscina  repleretur  :  in  qua  medendi

causa  la  |  uandus  descenderet  et  sanandus  .  Tunc  imperator  exhorruit  facinus  :  et  se

50  tantorum  criminum  reum  fore  apud  deum  existimans  :  quantorum  esset  numerus

puerorum  .  uicit  crudelitatem  pontificum  pietas  romani  imperii  :  et  prorumpens  in

lachrymis  iussit  stare  carrucam  :  et  erigens  se  ac  conuocans  uniuersos  clara  uoce

dixit  :  audite  me  comites  et  commililones  et  omnes  populi  :  qui  astalis  :  romani

imperii  dignitas  de  fonte  nascitur  pietatis  .  Cur  ergo  pra^ponam  salutem  meam  saluti

55  populi  innocentis  ?  Nunc  autem  ab  effusione  innoxii  sanguinis  senlentiam  crudelitatis

excludam  .  Melius  est  enim  pro  salute  innocentum  mori  :  quam  per  inleritum  eoruni

uitam  recuperare  crudelem  :  quam  tamen  recuperare  incerlum  est  :  cum  cerlum  sit

recuperata  crudelitas  .  Sic  semper  contra  hostes  nostra  certamina  in  prffiliis  extitisse

–  cclxxxF]  SYLVESTER  511

noscuntur  :  ut  reus  esset  legibus  et  capitali  sententia^  subderetur  :  quicumque  aliquem

occidisset  infantem  :  Eratque  hoc  statutum  in  bello  :  ut  facies  illa  quam  pubertas

adhuc  non  nouerat  gladium  euaderet  bellatoris  :  et  uita  incollumis  permaneret .  Nunc

itaque  quod  in  hostium  liliis  custoditum  est  :  in  fdiis  nostrorum  ciuium  exercebimus  ?

ut  simus  nostris  legibus  rei  atque  captiuitate  anima;  et  conscientise  captiuabimur  :  qui  5

pugnando  lideliler  omnium  gentium  meruimus  esse  uictores  ?  Quid  iuuat  barbaros

superasse  :  si  a  crudelitate  uincamur  ?  Nam  uicisse  extraneas  nationes  bello  uirtus

est  populorum  :  uincere  autem  uicia  peccata  et  crimina  uirtus  est  morum  .  In  illis

ergo  preliis  extitimus  fortiores  illis  :  In  his  autem  nobis  ipsis  fortiores  sumus  :  cum

uincimus  nosmetipsos  :  dum  mala  uota  nostra  excludimus  :  et  quod  inconsulte  desyde-  lo

ramus  :  consulte  et  utililer  exercemus  .  hoc  autem  facimus  :  quando  uoluntatibus

deorum  uoluntates  nostras  postponimus  :  et  diuinis  desyderiis  obedientes  nostra

desyderia  impugnamus  :  et  in  hoc  certamine  uictos  nos  esse  hac  ratione  gaudemus  :

ut  agnoscamus  nos  contra  salutem  nostram  uoluisse  pugnare  .  Nam  qui  conatur  per-

petrare  :  quod  malum  est  :  captiuare  utique  |1  studet  bonitatem  .  Gum  ergo  isto  fuerit  15

certamine  superatus  :  uictoriam  obtinet  uictus  :  quoniam  uictor  perdilionem  inuene-

rat  :  et  malam  captiuitatein  incurrerat  post  triumphum  :  si  tamen  triuniphus  dici

potest :  quando  pietas  ab  impietate  uincitur  :  et  iusticia  ab  iniusticia  superatur  .  Vincat

ergo  nos  pietas  in  isto  congressu  .  Vere  enim  omnium  aduersantium  poterimus  esse

uictores  :  si  a  sola  pietate  uincamur  .  Omnium  et  euim  uerum  se  esse  doniinum  com-  20

probat  :  qui  uerum  se  seruum  ostenderit  esse  pielatis  .  Gum  ad  istam  conctionem

omnis  exercitus  omnisque  populus  diulissime  acclamasset  :  Itemque  conctionatus

dixit  :  lussit  pietas  romana  lilios  suis  matribus  reddi  :  ut  dulcedo  reddita  filiornm  +

amaritudinem  lachrimarum  maternarum  obduicet  .  Et  haec  dicens  iter  quod  arripuerat

eundi  ad  capitoliuni  deserens  :  ad  pahilium  rediit  .  Non  solum  autem  lllios  reddidit  :  25

uerum  etiam  doua  simul  amplissima  et  uehicula  iniinita  et  annonas  iussit  expeudi  :

ut  quaj  flajutes  uenerant  et  lugentes  :  ad  patriam  alienam  :  alacres  cum  gaudio  ad

ciuitates  suas  reuerterentur  .  Hac  igitur  transacta  die  nocturno  regis  facto  silentio  :

somni  tempus  aduenit  :  Et  ecce  adsunt  apostoli  sancti  Petrus  cum  Paulo  dicentes  :

Nos  sumus  Petrus  et  Paulus  :  quoniam  flagitiis  terminum  posuisti  :  et  sanguinis  30

innocentis  elfussionem  horruisti  :  missi  sumus  a  Ghristo  lesu  domino  nostro  dare  tibi

sanitatis  recuperanda;  consilium  .  Audi  ergo  monita  nostra  :  et  omnia  lac  quaecumque

tibi  indicamus  .  Syluester  episcopus  ciuitatis  Uomai  ad  montem  Sirapti  perseculiones

tuas  fugiens  in  cauernis  petrarum  cum  suis  clericis  latebram  fouet  .  Hunc  cum  ad  te

adduxeris  :  ipse  tibi  piscinam  pietatis  ostendet  :  in  quam  dum  te  tertio  merserit  :  35

omnis  te  ista  deseret  lepraj  ualitudo  :  quod  dum  factum  fuerit  :  hanc  uicissitudinem

tuo  saluatori  compensa  :  ut  omnes  iussione  tua  per  totum  orbem  romanorum  ecclesiai

restaurentur  .  tu  aulem  te  ipsum  in  hac  parte  purifica  :  ut  rehcta  omni  idolorum

superstitione  deum  unum  qui  uerus  et  solus  est  deus  adores  et  excolas  :  et  ad  eius

uolun  I  tatem  attingas  .  Exurgens  igitur  a  somno  Gonstantinus  Augustus  statim  40

conuocans  eos  qui  obseruabant  palatium  :  et  secundum  tenorem  somni  sui  misit  ad

montem  Sirapti  :  ubi  sanctus  Svluester  in  cuiusdam  chrisliani  agro  persecutionis

causa  cum  suis  clericis  receptus  lectionibus  et  orationibus  insistebat  :  At  ubi  se  a

miUtibus  conuentum  uidit  :  credidit  ad  martyrii  coronam  se  uocari  :  et  conuersus  ad

clerum  omnibus  qui  cum  eo  erant  dixit  :  ecce  nunc  tempus  acceptabile  :  ecce  nunc  45

dies  salutis  :  aduenit  tempus  quo  nos  leclio  docuit  operum  nostrorum  assignare

fructum  .  Ecce  dominus  iterum  spiritaliter  inter  homines  ambulat  :  si  quis  uult  post

eum  uenire  :  abneget  semetipsum  sibi  :  et  toUat  crucem  suam  :  et  sequatur  eum  :

Et  ha;c  dicens  orationem  fecit  omneque  mysterium  adimpleuit  commendans  animam

suam  et  dans  pacem  omnibus  profectus  est  .  Secuti  sunt  autem  eum  uniuersi  clerici  50

cum  presbyteris  triginta  et  diaconibus  quinque  optantes  passioni  simul  succumbere  :

melius  arbitrantes  cum  illo  pro  Ghristo  mori  quam  in  eius  absentia  epulari :  erat  enim

tranquillo  semper  animo  et  sereno  :  ita  omnes  clericos  diiigens  :  et  sicut  gallina  puUos

suos  euocans  :  ut  circa  uniuersos  carum  amorem  ostenderet:  et  omni  hora  eos  monitis

cailestibus  erudiret  .  Vnde  factum  est  :  ut  omnes  eruditionis  sagena  refecti  passionem  55

magis  diligerent  quam  timerent  :  et  simul  cum  eo  alacres  properarent  .  Profectus

itaque  ut  dictum  est  :  peruenit  ad  regem  .  Tunc  illico  assurgens  aug-ustus  prior  eum

salutauit  dicens  :  Bene  uenisse  te  gratulamur  :  Gui  sanctus  Syluester  respondit  :  pax

512  SYLVESTER  [cclxxxr-

tibi  el  uictoria  de  caelo  subministretur  :  quem  cum  rex  alacri  animo  et  uultu  placi-

dissimo  suscepisset  :  omnia  illi  quae  ei  facta  quaeque  reuelata  sunt  secundum  textum

supeiius  compraihensum  exposuit  .  Post  linem  uero  narrationis  su£e  percunctabatur

qui  isti  essent  dii  Petrus  et  Paulus  :  qui  illuum+  uisitassent :  et  ob  quam  causam  salutis

5  sute  latebram  detexissent  .  Cui  sanctus  Sjluester  rospondit^  :  deus  unus  est  :  quem

colimus  :  qui  totum  mundum  fecit  ex  nihilo  idest  caelum  et  terram  ||  et  omnia  quse  in

eis  sunt  .  Petrus  autem  et  Paulus  dii  non  sunt  sed  serui  dei  :  qui  illi  per  lidem

placentes  hoc  consecuti  sunt  :  ut  arcem  teneant  sanctitatis  :  et  sic  in  numero  sancto-

rum  omnium  primi   a   deo  apostoli  facti  sunt  .  Ergo  ipsi  primi  diuinitatem  domini

10  nostri  lesu  christi  filii  dei  gentibus  praedicauerunt  :  et  omnis  ecclesia  ab  ipsis  initium

sumpsit  .  Hi  expleto  apostolatus  ofiicio  ad  palmam  martyrii  peruenerunt  :  et  sunt

modo  amici  omnipotentis  dei  .  Cum  liffic  et  his  similia  gratanter  augustus  audisset  :

dixit  :  peto  utrum  hos  istos  apostolos  habet  aliqua  imago  expressos  :  ut  in  ipsis

liniamentis    possim    agnoscere   hos  esse   :   quos  me   reuelatio   docuisset   :   qui   mihi

15  dixerunt  se  a  deo  missos  esse  .  Tunc  sanctus  Syluester  iussit  diacono  suo  ut  imaginem

apostolorum  exhiberet :  quam  imperator  aspiciens  cum  ingenti  clamore  coepit  dicere  :

nihil  inferius  hac  imagine  in  eorum  efflgie  quorum  uultus  in  uisione  conspexi  .  Hi

ergo  mihi  dixerunt  :  mitte  ad  Syluestrum  episcopum  :  et  hic  libi  ostendet  piscinam

pietatis  :  in  qua  cum  lotus  fueris  :  omnium  consequeris  tuorum  uulnerum  sanitatem  .

20  Gui  sanctus  Syluester  respondit  :  Audi  me  rex  :  et  salutis  piscinam  necessariam  hoc

ordine  require  :  ut  primum  credas  Christum  lilium  dei  ideo  de  ca;lo  uenisse  :  el  inter

homines  conuersatum  esse  :  ut  istam  piscinam  credentibus  in  se  manifestaret  :  Cui

Angustus^  respondit :  ego  nisi  credidissem  :  ad  te  poenitus  non  misissem  .  Tunc  sanctus

Syluester  dixit  :  exige  a  te  ipso  una  hebdomade  ieiunium  :  et  deposita  purpura  intra

25  cubiculum  tuum  :  ibique  induere  ueste  humili  :  prosterne  cylicium  :  et  conlitere  modo

per  ignorantiam  erroris  factum  :  ut  christianis  persecutionem  induceres  :  et  ipsum  esse

saluatorem  corporum  et  animarum  non  solum  loquendo  sed  et  credendo  pronuncia  :

et  poenitere  multos  sanctos  dei  occidisse  :  et  in  hac  hebdomade  templa  iube  claudi  :

et  cessare  omnia    sacriiicia  idolorum   :   debitores    lisco   pauperes   laxa   :   carceratos

30  dimitti  praecipe  :  in  exiliis  et  metallis  aut  in  quibuscumque  tribulationibus  constitutis

indulgentiam  dari  constitue  .  lube  per  totam  |  hebdomada  eleimosynas  iieri  :  beneiicia

etiam  postulantibus  exhiberi  praecipe  :  et  idoneos  qui  ha^c  exequantur  constitue  .

Tunc  Constantinus  imperator  dixit  :  constat  omnes  culturas  homines  in  superstitione

diligere  :  nec  posse  ibi  diuinitatis  gloriam  inueniri  ubi  mendax  assertio  deum  dicit

35  hunc  esse  quem  fecit  .  Nisi  inuisibilis  iste  est  :  qui  inuocatus  aquis  hanc  uirtutem

concedit  :  ut  peccata  animarum  abluat  :  et  corporibus  conferat  medicinam  :  constat

hunc  esse  uerum  deum  :  cuius  apostoli  me  uisitare  dignati  sunl  :  et  hoc  monere  :  ut

unum  deum  credam  saluatorem  meum  .  Gum  ha^c  et  his  similia  Gonstantinus  Augustus

diceret  :  imposuit  sanctus  Syluester  manus  super  caput  eius  :  et  benedicens  eum  :  ac

40  faciens  cathecuminum  abiit  .  Post  hajc  sanctus  Syluester  conuocatis  omnibus

presbyteris  ac  diaconibus  cum  uniuerso  clero  indixit  ieiunium  biduanum  omni  ecclesiie

dicens  :  Si  Nineuitaj  in  praedicatione  lonaj  per  triduanum  ieiunium  iram  dei  et  otFen-

sam  pro  meritis  debilam  euaseruut  +  :  quanto  magis  nos  in  pra^dicalione  domini  nostri

lesu  christi  persecutiones  euadimus  .  lucramur  animas  pacem  dei  ecclesiis  acquiri-

45  mus  :  et  idolatriis  linem  imponimus  :  hoc  autem  facimus  si  ieiuniis  et  orationibus  hoc

a  domino  impetremus  .  Factum  est  unanimiter  ieiunanlibus  cum  ornamento  orationis

idest  die  sexta  et  sabbato  in  quo  claudendum  erat  ieiunium  uesperlino  tempore  dixit

Constantino  i’egi  Syluester  episcopus  :  audi  me  rex  :  piscina  ergo  hajc  omnis  aqua  quce

est  sub  ctelo  siue  maris  siue  iluminum  siue  fontium  siue  paludum  siue  slagjiorum  :

50  tanta  uirtus  est  nominis  Christi  :  ut  ad  inuocalionem  eius  peccata  uniuersa  abluat  :  et

salutem  conferat  :  quam  iides  credentis  exposcit  .  Vocansque  ipsum  secum  Augustum

ieiunantem  monitisque  instruens  constantia  erigens  :  iide  certissimum  reddens  :

Vespere  itaque  sabbati  iubet  lauacrum  caloris  sui  in  palatio  laleranensi  augustum

ingredi  :  quo  ingresso  ipse  ad  benedictionem  fontis  accedit  .  Benedicto  itaque  fonte

55  Augustus  introgreditur  :  quem  Syluesler  episcopus  suscipiens  ||  interrogat  :  si  ex  toto

corde  credit  in  patrem  et  iilium  et  spiritumsanctum  :  qui  cum  credere  se  clara  uoce

diceret  :  et  pompis  se  diaboli  renunciare  toto  corde  assereret  :  mersit  coniilentis

Augusti  in  piscina  totum  corpus  :  atque  sancto  superfuadens  chrismate  dixit  :  qui

–  cclxxxiii”-]  SYLVESTER  513

mundasti  in  lordane  lepram   Naaman  Syri  :  et  cajci  nati   oculos  per  aquam  ape-

ruisti  :  et  Paulo  apostolo  per  baptismum  oculos  quos  amiserat  reddidisti  :  et  fecisti

nobis    ex    persecufore    doctorem   :   tu   emunda   hunc   seruum   tuum   omnium   terre-

norum  principem  Gonstantinum  ,  Et  sicut  animam   eius  ab  omni  stercorae  peccati

mundasti  :  ita  corpus  eius  ab  omni  hac  lepra  elephantiae  ablue  :  ut  ex  persequente     5

credentem   et   defendentem    se    habere    uirum    hunc    sancla    tua    ecclesia    glorietur

per  dominum  nostrum  lesum  christum  lilium  tuum  :  qui  tecum  uiuit  et  regnat  in

unitate  spiritussancti  in  sajcula  saeculorum  :  Cumque  omnes  respondissent  :  amen  :

Subito  quasi  fulg-ur  lux  intolerabilis  per  mediam  fere  horam  emicuit  :  quae  omnium

et  mentes  exterruit  :  et  aspectus  obtexit  :  et  ecce  sonus  in  aqua  quasi  sartaginis  lo

stridentis  exortus   ueluti  piscium   ingentium   Christus    totam  illam   piscinam   fontis

repletam  ostendit  .   Ex  qua   mundus  surgens   Constantinus  imperator  Christum   se

uidisse  confessus  est  .   Et  indulus  uestibus  candidis  prima  die  baptismatis  sui  hanc

legem  dedit :  Christum  deum  esse  uerum  :  qui  se  mundasset  a  lepra?  periculo  :  et  hunc

debere  coli  ab  omni  orbe  romano  .  Secunda  die  dedit  legem  ut  qui  Christum  blasphe-  15

masse  probatus  fuerit  puniretur  .  Terlia  die  promulgauit  legem  :  ut  si  quis  christiano

lecisset  iniuriam  :  omnium  bonorum  suorum  facultatem  dimidiam  amitteret  .  Quarta

die  priuilegium  ecclesiee  romanae  pontilicique  contulit  :  ut  in  toto  orbe  romano  sacer-

dotes  ita  hunc  caput  habeant  :  sicut  omnes  iudices  regem  .  Quinta  die  in  quocumque

loco  fuerit  fabricata  ecclesia  consecrationis  suai  hanc  uirtutem  obtineat  :  ut  quicunque  20

reus  ad  eam  confugerit  :  a  iudicis  periculo  qui  in  praesenti  fuerit  defensetur  .  Sexta

die  dedit  legem  :  nulli  intra  muros  cuiuscumque  ciuitatis  |  dari  licentiam  ecclesiam

construendi  :  nisi  ex  consensu  praesentis  episcopi  :  quem  sedes  aposlolica  probasset

antistitem  .   Septima  die   omnium   possessionum   regalium   decimas  manu  iudiciaria

exigi  ad  aedificationem  ecclesiarum  .  Octaua  die  processit  albis  depositis  totus  mundus  25

et  saluus  :  et  ueniens  ad  confessionem  apostoli  Petri  ablato  diademate  capitis  totum

se  planum  proiiciens  in  faciem  tantam  illic  lachrymarum  effudit  multitudinem  :  ut

omnia  illa  insignia  uestimenta  purpurea  infunderentur  :  Dans  uocem   inter  amaras

lachrymas  quibus  se  errasse  :  se  peccasse  :  se  reum  esse  de  persecutione  sanctorum

commemorans  :   et  ob  hoc   non  se  esse   dignum   eius  limina   contingere  :   Cumque  30

ingenti  gemitu  hajc  exclamaret  :  quantus  ibi  ab  omni  populo  lachrimarum  fusus  est

numerus  :  quis  memorare  sufficiat  ?  Erat  autem  tale  gaudium  flaetibus  plenum  :  quale

solet  esse  in  caris  mortuis  suscitatis  aut  in  his  :  qui  euaserunt  naufragia  :  aut  in  his

qui  uicinos  dentes  euadere  poluerunt  .  Verum  quoniam  de  his  longum  est  enarrare  :

dicamus  quid  prima  die  processionis  suae  egit  :   Exuens  se  chlamydem  et  accipiens  35

bidentem  :  terram  primus  aperuit  ad  fundamentum  basilicae  construendum  .  Dehinc

in  numero  duodecim  apostolorum   duodecim   cophinos  plenos   suis  humeris  super-

positos  baiulauit   dc   eodem    loco   :   ubi    fundamentum    basilicai   apostolis    debuerat

fundare  :  et  ita  gaudens  et  exultans  in  carruca  sua  una  cum  papa  residens  ad  palatium

rediit  .  Altera  uero  die  similiter  intra  palatium  suum  lateranensem  basilicae  fabricam  40

coepit  :  dans  talem  legem  :  qua?  in  his  uerbis  concluditur  .  Sit  omnibus  notum  :  ita  j

nos   Christi   cultores   eftectos    :    ut   intra    palatium    nostrum   templum   eius   nomini

construamus   :   in  quo   populus  christianus    una   nobiscum   conueniens   deitati  eius

gratias  referamus  .  Hac  itaque  lege  data  constituit  atque  edicto  pendente  proponi

iussit  :  ut  si  quis  pauper  christianus  fieri  uoluisset  de  facultatibus  regiis  uestimenta  45

candida  et  uiginti  solidos  de  archa  regis  acciperet  .  Hoc  autem  factum  est  :  ne  cupi-

ditas  imperaret  fallaciam  :  et  |1  non  credentibus  sed  temptantibus  istis  donis  profi-

ceret  .  Tanla  autem  eo  anno  credidit  multitudo  :  ut  uirorum  numerus  baptizatorum

ad  duodecim  millia  tenderetur  excepta  mulierum    populositate   et   infantium   .  Sic

quoque  ex  uno  latere  crescebat  dei  populus  in  gloria  :  ut  ex  altero  paganis  confusio  50

nasceretur  .   Igitur  cum   et  senatorum  caterua  huic   relligioni  sanctae  fidem  nullus

adhiberet  :  nec  ob  hoc  irasci  alicui  .  Augustum  papa  permitteret  :  praecepit  Augustus

sibi  in  basilicam  excelsum  tribunal  statui :  et  senatum  ac  populum  romanum  hac  uoce

affatus  est  :    profanae   dissensiones  mentium   ideo   nulla   ratione   salubre   consilium

sumunt  :  quia  profunda  ignorantiae  circundantur  caligine  :  et  nullus  eas  clarus  ac  55

serenus  ueritatis  splendor  illuminat .  Aperiendi  sunt  ergo  lumine  scientiae  oculi  animo-

rum  et  diligenti  est  examinatione  cernendum  :  istos  deos  nec  dici  debere  :  nec  credi  :

qui  ab  hominibus  facti  noscuntur  .  Non  enim  dii  sunt :  sed  homines  magis  ipsi  eorum

II.  –  33

514  SYLVESTER  [cclxxxiil’-  –

dii  dici  possunt  :  quos  ipsi  plasmauerunt  .  Denique  si  quid  aliquo  casu  in  his  laesum

fuerit  :  homines  qui  sua  eos  arte  fecerunt :  sua  eos  nihilominus  arte  restaurant .  Sunt

erg-o  homines  :  ut  dixi  :  dii  eorum  qui  dum  non  essent  eos  fecerunt :  et  dum  fecissent :

laesi  ab  eis  restaurantur  .  Vnde  coniecturam  summens  mecum  omnibus  ad  culturam

5   ueri  dei  exhibeo  :  quod  in  me  quoque  factum  aspicitis  ipsi  et  probatis  :  Nisi  enim

ipse  esset  deus  Christus  :  qui  me  fecit :  non  utique  quod  ab  alio  factum  fuerat  restau-

rare   ualuisset   .   Probatur   ergo  humanum   genus    huius   dei    esse   iigmentum    :   qui

restaurat  lapsum  :  fractum  solidat  :  sublimat  alhsum  .  Sicut  uniuersa  ista  idola  quae

hominum   figmenta  sunt   :   ideo   hominum   auxiho    cum    laesa    fuerint    reparantur   .

10   Habeant  itaque  habeant  iam  finem  isti  errores  .   abdicetur  ista  superstitio  :  quam

ignorantia  concepit  ;  stulticia  nutriuit  :  et  aluit  .  Adoretur  deus  solus  :  qui  unus  et

uerus  regnat  in  caelis  .  Desinamus  hos  colere  :  a  quibus  saluari  non  possumus  :  et

quos  lajsos  ipsi  saluamus  .  Cessemus  ab  eis  flagitare  nostri  custodiam  :  quos  no  |  stri

custodia  tuemur  ne  pereant  .  Quid  miserius  quam  aes  lapidesque  adorare  et  ferrum  ?

15   Sit  itaque  omnibus  gratum  :  quod  sum  a  Christo  quem  negabam  pristinae  redditus

sanitati  :  et  ab  isto  errore  ipso  domino  lesu  christo  auxiliante  cessamus  .  Et  quoniam

sapientia  romanorum  non  fallitur  :  istum  deum  excolat  :  a  quo  ipsa  custodiatur  :  non

quem  ipsa  custodiat  .  Verum  ne  longa  oratio  omnes  uos  intentos  extendat  :  quid

constituendum   censui   breuiter  pandam  :  Patere   uolumus  christianis  ecclesias  :  ut

20   priuilegia  quae  sacerdotes  templorum   habere  noscuntur  :  antistites  christiance  legis

assumant .  Vt  autem  notum  sit  uniuerso  orbi  romano  uero  deo  et  domino  lesu  christo

nos  inclinare  ceruices  :  intra  palatium  meum  ecclesiam  Christo  arripui  construendam  :

ut   uniuersitas   hominum   comprobet   :   nuUa  dubietatis  in  corde   meo  uel  praetei’iti

erroris  remansisse  uestigia  :  Cumque  in  isto  uerbo  fuisset  eloquium  :  uox  populorum

25   per  tria  horarum  spalia  haec  sunt  :  qui  Christum  negant  male  depereant  :  quia  ipse

est  uerus   deus  .  Diclum  est  Iricies  .  Item   unus  deus  christianorum  .   Dictum   est

quadragies  .  Item  templa  claudantur  :  et  ecclesiae  pateant  .  Dictum  est  decies  .  Item

qui  Christum  non  colunt  :  inimici  Augustorum  sunt  .  Dictum  est  quadragies  .  Item

qui  saluauit  Augnstum+  :  Ipse  est  uerus  deus  .  Dictum  est  tricies  .  Item  qui  Christum

30   non  colunt  :  hostes  romanorum  sunt  .  Dictum  est  decies  .  Item  qui  Christum  colit  :

semper  uicit  :  Dictum  est  quadragies  .  Item  sacerdotes  templorum  ab  urbe  pellantur

Dictum  est  quadragies  .   Item  qui  adhuc  sacrificant  diis  :  ab  urbe  pellanlur  .  Dictum

est  terdecies  .  Item  iube  :  ut  hodie  repellantur  .  Dictum  est  quadragies  .  Ad  hanc

uocem  Imperator  silentium  peliit  :  quo  facto  sic  allocutus  est  populum  :  Inter  diuina

35  humanaque   seruitia   hoc  interest  :   ut  humana   seruitia  coacta  sint  :   diuina  autem

uoluntaria  comprobentur  .  Deus  enim  quia  mente  colitur  :  et  sincero  hominis  uene-

ratur  affectu  :  spontanea  eius  debet  esse  cultura  .  In  hoc  enim  apparet  :  quia  uerus

deus  est  :  quod  per  tanta  saicula  contemptori  1|  bus  suis  non  iratus  linem  imposuit :  sed

propitiuni  se  esse  qui  coli  debeat  denionstrauit  indulgendo  crimina  :  et  salulem  animabus

40  et  corporibus  conferendo  .  Sit  ergo  omnibus  notuni  :  non  necessitate  coactos  :  sed  suo

iudicio  liberos  posse  fieri  christianos  nec  humanum  metuentes  imperium  ad  dei  cultu-

ram  accedere  aliquos  oportere  :  sed  rationabili  consyderatione  magis  rogare  :  uti  chri-

stianorum  numero  applicentur  ab  iis  :  qui  huic  sacratissinice  legi  deseruiunt .  lustum  et

enim  uerumque  conspicimus  :  ut  sicut  petentibus  culpa  est  :  si  negetur  :  ita  non  peten-

■45   tibus  si  tradatur  iniquum  .  Nec  hoc  aliqui  metuant :  quod  a  nostra  gratia  diuellantur  :  si

chrisliani  esse  noluerint  .  nostra  enim  claimentia  talis  est  :  ut  opere  non  mutetur  .

Vnde  hoc  consyderandum  est  :  quod  magis  nobis  adhaerebunt  in  amiciciis  ii  :  qui

spontanee  ad  christianam  legem  uenire  uoluerint  .  Tunc  omnibus  populis  et  christianis

el  paganis  hanc   legem   laudanlibus  :   et  uitam  Augusto  optanlibus  iteratus  .clamor

50  populi   factus  est   diutissimus    .    Et  cum   finis   huius  rei   factus   fuisset   :    reuertenti

Augusto  ad  palatium  tota  ciuitas  cereis  lampadibusque  repleta  coronata  est   :   erat

enim  omnibus  gaudium  :  quoniam   lex  ialis  processerat  :  quaj  nullum  ad  culluram

impelleret   :   nullum    a    Christi   cultura   rcpelleret  .    Fit   uox   lajtici»  per  uniuersas

ecclesias    .   honorantur  uniuersa   sepulchra   sanclorum   :   omnesque  confessores  qui

55  cathenali  ad  diuersa  fuerant  exilia  tracti  :  cum  gloria  et  honore  regio  ad  patrias  pro-

prias  reuocati  amici  eifecti  sunt  regis  .  Giutera  quie  facta  sunt  uel  dicta  pra!tero+  :  ne

pro  ipsa  prolyxitate  fastidium  lector  incurrat  :  sunt  enim  alia  phira  et  uliliora  :  qua?

praeterire  non  debeo  .  Exigit  enim  haec  hisloria  :  ut  ad  Helenam  imperaloris  mairem

–  cclxxxiiiir]  SYLVESTER  515

flectam  articulum  :  et  hoc  ordine  ad  finem  huius  operis  attingam  .  Gur  autem  hoc

faciam  :  epistolae  ab  ea  conscriptae  textusostendit  :  circunuenta  enim  a  ludaeis  cum

esset  in  Bythinia  in  partibus  orientis  cum  duobus  nepotibus  Augustis  Constante  et

Constantio  et  pene  ludasa  fieri  potuisset  :  huiusmodi  ad  eum   |   scripta  transmisit  .

Domino  semper  Augusto  lilio  Constantino  mater  .  Helena  semper  Augusta  :  ueritatem     5

sapientis  animus  non  recusat :  nec  fides  recta  aliquando  patitur  quancumque  iacturam

beniuolentiae  diuin?e  repulari  debere  :  quod  meruisti  simulachrorum  figmenta  dese-

rere  :  Sed  errori  applicamus  humano  :  quod  lesum  nazarenum  deum  credere  uoluisti  :

et  hunc  dei  lilium  esse  in  cajlis  estimare  :  qui  a  ludffiis  extitit  oriundus  et  magus

accusatus  sententiam  crucis  accipienpo+ defecit  .  Vnde  ad  ueritatis  lumen.scias  attin-  lo

gere  cupientibus  :  alteram  uiam  esse  non  posse  :  nisi  hebreorum  acceperint  legem  .

Pietati  autem  tuae  ideo  sanitas  reddita  probatur  :  quia  tu  primus  inter  Augustos  idolis

renunciasti  .  Deus  ergo  uerus  qui  esl  deus  ludaeorum  ut  ostenderet  illos  :  quos  recu-

sasti  non  esse  ueros  deos  fecit  te  saluari  :  utdeposita  formidine  simulachrorum  probes

eos  nec  sanitatem  conferre  propicios  :  nec  iratos  auferre  .  Huius  erroris  finem  dese-  15

rentem  deseruit  pietatem  tuam  inlirmitas  .  Nunc  ad  deum  omnipotentem  accedentem

uirtus  comitabitur  tecum  :  quae  superari  non  potest  .  Hunc  ergo  cum  coeperis  colere  :

obtinebis  dauiticum  claementer  imperium  et  Salomonis  sapientissimum  et  pacilicum

regnum  .  Eruntque  tecum  prophetae  :  cum  quibus  locutus  est  Deus  :  et  omnia  quae

per  eos  poposceris  impetrabis  .  Vale  domine  Augustorum  pater  semper  Augustae  fili  20

Carissime  :  et  prosperis  ad  uota  successibus  polle  .  Ad  haec  rescripta  sunt  huiusmodi  .

Dominae  semper  Augustae  matri  Helenjw  lilius  Constantinus  semper  Augustus  .  Qui

moderatur  saecula  et  disponit  totius  niundi  sulfragia  :  quibus  alimur  :  et  sustentamur

et  sumus  :  per  se  quidem  aspiramenta  uiuiiicat  :  sed  per  pectora  principum  suis  iura

saeculis  dictat  .  Quanto   igitur  excellentiorem  locum  tenemus  inter  homines  :  tanto  25

omnium    patemus    aspeclibus   .    Omnium    itaque    mortalium    oculi   omnium    iudicia

omniumque  uota  nostrum  uelle  nostrum  nolle  consyderant  :  VA  ideo  domina  semper

Augusta  non  solum  irrepraehensibile  sed  etiam  ||  laudabile  debet  esse  :  quod  uolumus

Et  uere  non  totum  bonum  quod  uolumus  nouimus  .  Haec  autem  quaj  dixerim  in  acti-

bus  nostris  intendant  .  Deum  uero  intelligere  supra  intellectum   nostrum  eminet  .   30

Ipsa  erroris  nostri  testantur  iudicia  :  quia  putauimus  deos  esse  :  quos  nostro  iussu

factos  ab  artificibus  cernebamus  .  Cesset  ergo  in  hac  definitione  nostra  praesumptio  :

ita  ut  sacerdotes  iudaicae  sectae  et  christianae  relligionis  pontifices  in  unum  conueue-

niant^^  :  et  nobis  praesenlibus  mutua  sensuum  suorum  altercalione  agentes  ad  ueritatis

nos  faciant  indaginem  peruenire  .  Sic  fiat  :  ut  ex  sacris  uoluminibus  tam  sibi  inuicem   33

quam  etiam  nobis  ueritatem  ostendant  .  Ad  cuius  ueritatis  culturam  una  nobiscum

omne  saBeuIum+  inuitemus  .  Vale  domina  semper  Augusta  .  et  cum  filiis  meis  prosperis

successibus  polle  .  Tunc  congregati  sunt  omnes  pharisaei  omnesque  ludaeorum  principes

et  doctores  ad  Augustam  Helenam  imperante  illis  Augusta :  ut  eligerent  eruditissimos

uii*os  :  qui  cum  ipsa  ad  urbem  pergerent  Romam  .  Dixilque  eis  ipsa  Augusta  quod  40

legis  tenendae   ueritas  a   principibus  uel   a  toto   saeculo  non  posset  :   nisi  una  pars

alteram  sibi  contrariam  rationabiliter  superauerit  .  In  hoc  tempore  Isachar  summus

pontifex   ludaeorum   erat   :   qui   simulata  infirmitate  se   quidem   ab  ista   profectione

subtraxit  :  Misit  autem  duodecim  scribas  et  phariseorum  magistros  ac  principes  :  qui

non  solum  haebraeo  sed  greeco  latinoque  sermone  elimati  ad  altercationem  propositam   45

idonei  probarentur  .  Constantino  itaque  Augusto  et  Licinio  quater  consulibus  idibus

martiis  facta  est  congregatio  chrictianorum+  et  ludaeorum  in  urbe  Roma  in  qua  diuer-

sarum  prouinciarum  fuerunt  episcopi  numero  septuagintaquinque  .  ludaeorum  uero

sacerdotes  centumuiginti  exceptis  his  duodecim   :  qui  ab  Isachar  pontifice  alterca-

tionis  gratia  fuerant  destinati  .  Praesentibus  itaque  Augustis  uniuersisque  aliis  potesta-  50

libus  intra  palatium  in  basilica  factus  est  conuentus  :  In  quo  auditores  esse  uoluerunt

Gonstantinus  Augustus  cum  Helena  matre  Augusta  :  lu  |  dices  uero  hos  dederunt  :

qui  nec  ludaei  essent  nec  christiani  :  ne  unus  e  duobus  gratiam  suae  parti  seruaret  :  et

ueritatem  pro  suo  cultu  assereret  .  Fuit  datus  cognitor  quidam  philosophus  Graton

nomine  tam  graeco  quam  latino  eruditus  magisterio  :  qui  nunquam  suaderi  poterat  ut  55

ab  aliquo  aliquid  loco  muneris  accepisset  :  nunquam  in  iudicio  persouam+  regis  uel

cuiuscumque  potestatis  accepit  .  Et  cum  amicus  esset  terreni  imperii  :  nihil  uoluit

habere  terrenum  .  Rhetoricam  tam  graecorum  quam  latinorum  librorum  per  plures

516  SYLVESTER  [cclxxxilli’- –

annos  nohililati  romanoe  legit :  quique  ut  dictum  est  cum  nihil  penitus  haberet  futuro

diei  necessarium  :  sua  esse  asserebat  quKcnmque  libenter  oculis  aspiceret  .  Astruens

omnes  diuites  cum  sollicitudine  opes  custodire  :  et  ipse  securitatem  frui  memorabat .

Aiebat  ergo  :  Si  proplerea  diuites  utuntur  auro  et  argento  et  gemmis  et  sericis  uesti-

5  bus  :  ut  ab  hominibus  aspecti  :  oculis  placeant  populorum  cum  sua  sollicitudine

securis  placent  .  Cum  omnibus  itaque  officiis  et  ornamentis  suis  diuites  eorum

seruiunt  oculis  :  qui  diuites  esse  contemnunt  :  et  eorum  in  se  atfectus  excitant  :  qui

esse  diuites  concupiscunt  :  Diuitem  uero  non  facit  amor  pecuniae  sed  contemptus  :

qui  beniuolenliam  suam  gratis  ex  indulgentia  ingratis  exhibet  :  et  quidquid  possit

10  non  laedendo  inimicos  suos  sed  adiuuando  inimicos  ostendit  .  Huic  socius  datus  est

Zenophilus  prccfeclorius  uir  :  qui  consulatum  idcirco  promeruit  :  quia  cum  saepe-

numero  praefectus  fuerit  :  nunquam  penitus  ab  aliquo  munus  qualecumque  suscepit :

Nec  posse  iustum  existere  definiuit :  qui  quacumque  occasione  diuitias  ad  se  uenientes

exciperet  .  Ilorum  itaque  duorum  rata  assertio  id  est  Cratonis  philosophi  et  Zenophili

15  illustris  pro  lege  habebatur  :  Nec  ut  assolet  inueniebatur  quispiam  :  qui  in  ambiguo

poneret  :  quod  eorum  fuisset  iudicio  terminatum  .  Vnde  etiam  cum  omnium  uolun-

tate  maiorum  minimorumque  hos  cognitores  Aug-usti  altercationibus  iudaicis  et

christianis  defensionibus  posuerunt  .  Quod  uero  initium  disputationis  extiterit  :  qui

ordo  sermonum  fuerit  :  quisue  ||  finis  euenerit  :  secundi  libri  textus  ostendit  :  In  quo

20  fidei  tropheum  erigitur  :  et  aduersus  pugnas  iudaicae  superstitionis  domini  nostri  lesu

christi  pars  accepit  palmam  .

LIBER  SECVNDVS  GESTORVM  EORVMDEM  .

Prioris  libri  hic  finis  occurrit  :  qui  promitteret  secundum  hunc  librum  ludaeorum

contentiones  christianorum  defensionibus  obuiantes  .  Datis  ab  Augusto  Constantino

25  iudicibus  eo  usque  proslratas  :  ut  uictoria  Chrisli  ab  iis  sumeret  palma+  :  qui  neque

iudaicce  superstitionis  polluerentur  ellogio  neque  christianje  reliigionis  titulo  ornaren-

tur  .  Vt  cum  ununi  e  duobus  uerum  essc  astruerent  :  non  illis  lioc  poluissct  oppuni  :

quod  professionis  su£c  gralia  ducti  partis  suae  defensores  exislerent  .  Cralon  igitur

philosophus  et  Zenophilus  illustres   dantur  iudices   in   conspectu  Augustoe   IIelen;B

30  matris  Augusli  :  quae  a  ludiTeis  mota  fuerat  :  et  ipsius  Augusti  Conslantini  qui  primus

inter  romanos  reges  Christi  cultor  extabat .  .Adsunt  cateruae  ludaeorum  cum  duodecim

illis  pseudo  apostolis  .  Adsunt  etiam  et  episcopi  cum  papa  Sylueslro  .  Igitur

conuentu  facto  Augusto  cum  Augusta  matre  sedente  :  omnes  qui  intererant  sedere

iussit  :  et  silentium  imperatum  est  :  In  quo  silentio  primus  Constanlinus  imperalor

35  ita  affatus  est  :  non  solum  praesentis  sa^culi  salus  iu  islo  conuentu  tractanda  est  et

qua^renda  :  uerum  eliam  euo  omni  et  posteritati  nostrae  necessario  requirenda  .  Et

quoniam  claementia  Augustae  matris  meae  pro  uniuerso  mundo  sollicila  ludaeorum

uidetur  rationi  accomodare  consensum  :  saluo  quod  in  isto  conllictu  probauerit  :

uerum  credat  et  teneat .  Me  quoque  christianissimum  factum  uniuersus  orbis  romanus

io  didicit  .  Decet  enim  nostrum  una  nobiscum  silcnlio  dicendi  ct  alcercandi  qualitatem

audiendo  cognoscere  :  et  iudicium  datorum  iudicum  c-equilatis  lance  pensare  :  et

honeslis  rectisque  definitionibus  fauorem  oslendere  .  Ministris  uero  quibusque  obie-

clionibus  conscientiae  leslimonio  condemnationem  opponere  .  Sedeat  cui  lex  ista  non

displicet  :  et  una  nobiscum  cum  reue  |  rentia  Cfelestis  regis  idest  omnipotentis  dei  :

45  cuius  causa  agitur  :  audiat  et  probata  comprobet  :  et  condemnala  condemnet  .  Ilac

enim  moderalione  et  ad  noticiam  ueri  dci  omnes  perucnient  :  et  nobis  g^^alissimi

ernnt+  et  suarum  animarum  salutem  inuenient  :  Cumque  hicc  dixisset  Augustus  :

placere  dictum  regis  uniuersus  populus  clamat  .  Factoque  post  clamorem  sileutio  :

Craton   philosophus   ita   alloquilur   :    uniuersi    qui    in  isto    conuentu   aslatis   audile

50  patienler  .  Breui  quidem  sermone  apologeticum  faciam  :  qui  rerum  sit  earum  duu-

taxat  :  pro  quibus  AugustcC  sollicitudo  iudices  me  et  Zenophilum  illustrem  uirum

inter  disputanlcs  instituit  .  Ipse  etenim  clcvmentissimus  imperalor  amore  christiana’

legis  ductus  defensor  esse  polest  huius  fidei  .  ludex  tamen  ideo  esse  recusauit  :  quia

ipse  se  legem  talcm  dedisse  commemorat  :  ut  eiusdom  sontentia’  non  possil  quispiam

55  elfici  et  defensor  et  iudex  .  Ita  quoque  clajmentissimi  mater  imperii  Augusli  defen-

–  cclxxxvr]  SYLVE&TER  517

sionem  iudaicae  sectse  arripuerit :  ut  defensio  ex  utroque  latere  summa  ajqui  Itbratione^’

constructa  sit  .   tunc   hinc  atque    illinc  Augustae  definitione   punientur  ii   :   qui   ad

disceptationem  parati  cernuntur  .  Sit  ergo  omnibus  notum  nos  iudices  datos  neque

christianam  legem  neque  iudaicam  didicisse  :  Sumus  enim  sapientiae  amatores  :  non

minus  quam    iusticias   et   tales   :    qui   pro   ajquitate    malumus   occidi   quam    uinci   .     5

Omnium  ergo  hic  causa  tractatur  .  Omnium  ora  clausa  sint  .  Omnium  aures  pateant  :

ut  uniuersi  et  disputantium  sensus  intelligant  :  et  iudicantium  sententiam  cernant  .

Zenophilus  dixit  :  meo  ore  locutum  esse  datum  mecum  iudicem  constat  .  Inquirere

tamen  uolo  :  qui  sunt  :  quibus  datur  loquendi  facultas  :  ne  ad  iniuriam  iusticiae  con-

fusus   sermo   hinc  indeque  prosiliat  .  Vni  enim   damus  loquendi  potestatem   :  quo  lo

tacente  e  diuerso  dmiittimus+ dari  ab  uno  responsum  :  Quod  cum  fuerit  custoditum  :

secura  ac  libera  curret  oratio  .  Eritque  certum  quod  dicetur  ab  altercantibus  :  cer-

tissimum  quod  ab  iudicantibus  definitum  :  Placere  sibi  uniuersi  clamant  :  quce  ab

utrisque  dicta  sunt  .  |1  Et  finito  clamore  nomina  et  dignitates  eorum  qui  disceptaturi

sunt  requiruntur  .  Duodecim  igitur  ludaiorum  electi  sunt  primus  .  Abiathar  et  lonas  15

rabites  eorum  :  ZodoJias  et  Aunan  scribee  ipsorum  :  Doech  et  Ghusi  Didascali  sjna-

g-ogae  .  Beniamin  et  Aroel  interpretes  eorum  .  lubal  et  Thara  legisperiti  ipsorum  .

Sileon  et  Zambri  presbytcri  eorum  .  Ilic  autem  Zambri  quaiitum  rerum  exitus  docet

etiam  magus  artificiosissimus  celabatur  :  per  quem  etiam  credebatur  sibi  de  uictoria

swee  partis  prtesumere  .  Sed  confidentia  in  homine  posita  in  ruinam  conuersa  est  .   20

Spes  uero  Syluestri  in  deo  posita  et  Iropheum  obtinuit  et  triumphum  .  Denique  cum

dicerent  duodecim  debere  a  parte  christianorum  eligi  :  qui  contra  duodecim  ludteorum

disputatores  in  conflictu  disputationis  astarent  :  obstitit  Syluester  episcopus  cUcens  :

non  in  multitudine  coniidimus  hominum  de  sola  dei  potentia  prsesumentes  .  Vnus  est

enim  deus  omnipotens  cui  dicimus  :  exurge  domine  iudica  causam  tuam  .  quanto  25

autem  humanis  minuimur  auxiliis  :  lanto  iuuamur  diuinis  .  Ad  ha^c  Abiathar  dixit  :

hanc  sententiam  noster  propheta  ceciuit+  :  Si  qua  ergo  sunt  :  qute  pro  uestrae  partis

defensione  proferas  :  non  de  noslris  codicibus  sed  de  tuis  proferre  conuenit  libris  :

Gui  sanctus  Syluester  ait  :  omnia  hic  hodie  de  uestris  a  nobis  libris  proferenda  sunt

aducrsum  uos  :  sicut  e  contrario  a  uobis  aduersum  nos  de  nostris  si  potueritis  erunt  30

aliqua  proferenda  .  Tunc  enim  conuincimur  rationabiliter  :  si  pars  quai  e  diuerso  est

cum  suorum  fuerit  auctoritate  conuicta  dictorum  .  Zenophilus  dixit  :  digna  et  ratio-

nabilis  est  ista  sententia  :  ut  is  qui  confligit  suae  legis  auctoritate  compellatur  non ‘

negare  :  quod  credit :  Imperator  dixit :  iusta  defensio  est :  qua  compellitur  unusquisque

sua3  religionis  auctoritate  conuinci  .  Abiathar  dixit  :  principale  negotium  est  :   ut  35

deum  quem  colimus  quia  unus  est  per  legem  ipsius  iguorare  doceamur  ab  iis  :  qui

tres  deos  esse  confitentur  .  Et  ideo  de  nostris  libris  qui  unum  deum  colimus  iste  quae

proferat  ignorat  :  sicut  ignorauit  et  ille  :  qui  |  se  filium  dei  cum  diceret  :  iuste  a

nostris  prioribus  crucifixus  est  :  quem  iste  ipse.mortuum  non  negat  et  sepultum  :

addit  tamen  hoc  :  quod  tertio  die  resurrexit  :  et  in  caelos  ascendet+  .  Ecce  duos  deos  40

idest  patrem  qui  istum  genuit  filium  :  qui  crucifixus  est  :  et  spiritumsanctum  :  quem

dicunt  sibi  eius  apostoli  apparuisse  .  Ecce  tres  deos  conuincitur  credere  .  In  nostra

autem  lege  clamat  uox  dei  nostri  dicens  :  uidete  :  uidele  :  quoniam  ego  sum  deus  :  et

non  est  alius  praeter  me  .  quomodo  isti  dicunt  tres  deos  esse  colendos  :  patrem  quem

nos  credimus  :  filium  quem  parentes  nostri  crucis  patibulo  damnauerunt  :  tertium  45

uero  spirilumsanctum  ?  Gum  ergo  tres  deos  istos  colant  :  ipsum  qui  se   solum  dixit

reprobant  et  ofTendunt  .  Zenophilus  dixit  :  Si  htec  uox  dei  est  dicentis  :  non  est  alius

pra3ter  me  :  compellitur  Syluester  docere  non  tres  deos  colere  sed  unum  :  ut  possit

hanc  trium  deorum  obiectionem  euadere  .  Syluester  episcopus  dixit  :  nos  unum  deum

colimus  :  et  fatemur  :  sed  non  in  tanta  sollitudine  diuinitatem  eius  esse  dicimus  :  ut  50

gaudium  filii  uero  haberet  :  filium  autem  illum  dicimus  :  de  quo  propheta  uester

dixit  :  uerbo  domini  caeli  firmati  sunt  :  et  spiritumsanctum  illum  dicimus  :  de  quo

propheta  dicit  :  spiritu  oris  eius  omnis  uirtus  eorum  .   Filium  illum   dicimus  :  cui

per  prophetam  clamat  pater  :  filius  meus  es  tu  :  ego  hodie  genui  te  .  Deus  euim+

hodie  habet  :  et  cras  non  habet  :  sicut  ego  aut  tu  :  sed  semper  esse  habet  .  Sicut  55

er”-o  sine  initio  deus  est  :  ita  sine  initio  pater  est  :  et  sicut  sine  initio  pater  est  :  ita

sine  initio  est  iste  :  cuius  pater  est  :  cui  dixit  :  faciamus  hominem  ad  similitudinem

et   ima’-inem   nostram   .   Si    enim   dixisset   faciam   ad   imaginem    et    similitudinem

518  SYLVESTER  [cclxxxV  –

meam  :  uidebatur  fortasse  solitudinis  suse  indicasse  uestiyia  .  Nunc  autem  quod

dixit  :  ad  imaginem  et  similitudinem  nostram  euidenter  et  filium  et  asqualitatem

expraessit  :  nihil  enim  recipit  maius  :  quia  aetatis  incrementa  non  nouit  :  nihil  minus  :

quia  ubi  crescat  non  habet  .  Ipsumque  uoluit  humani  generis  esse  redemptorem  quem

5  secum  uoluit  communi  consilio  et  facto  ||  rem  .  Nam  ha^c  uox  illius  aduersum  incre-

dulitatem  ludaeorum  qui  uidentes  eum  dixerunt  :  non  est  hic  a  deo  .  Ergo  ut  occultam

•  suae  diuinitatis  maiestatem  ostenderet  :  taliter  eorum  incredulitatem  confudit  :  cum

diceret  :  si  nec  prophetarum  uerbis  nec  meis  uultis  credere  :  quia  ego  sum  deus  :  uel

oculis  uestris  credite  uidentibus  me  esse  deum  :  qui  mortuos  suscito  .  Idcirco  et  pro-

10  phetffi  uestri  testati  sunt  dicentes  :  hic  est  deus  noster  :  qui  uiuificat  mortuos  .  Praesciens

ergo  incredulos  fore  ludeeos  pra^monens  ait  :  uidete  :  uidete  :  quia  ego  sum  et  non  est

alius  preeter  me  .  ego  occidam  :  et  uiuere  faciam  :  percutiam  :  et  ego  sanabo  .  Abiatar

respondit  :  discue+ euangeliorum  uestrorum  uolumina  :  et  ostende  :  si  alicubi  inuenis

Christum  tuum  aliquem  occidisse  :  cum  legas  mortuos  aliquos  suscitasse  ,  Ait  enim

15  uox  ista  dei  :  ego  occidam  :  et  uiuere  faciam  .  Craton  dixit  :  si  constat  Christum

suscitasse  mortuos  :  constat  eundem  esse  :  qui  etiam  mortem  uiuenti  intulerit  :  nam

pars  ista  de  qua  iudseus  causatur  idest  interfectionis  humanae  :  possunt  hoc  et  bestiae

facere  :  et  uarietas  quse  humanis  casibus  subiacet  :  Mortuum  uero  suscitare  non  nisi

solius  dei  est  .  Abiathar  dixit  :  uirtus  legis  nostrae  semper  habuit  uiros  uirtutum  :  qui

20  uaria  signa  fecerunt  :  nam  et  elementis  imperauerunt  :  et  maria  diuiserunt  :  et  fluenta

fluminis  post  se  currere  praeceperunt  :  et  solem  stare  iusserunt  :  et  ignem  de  caelo

super  homines  iniquos  et  super  sacrificia  deiecerunt  :  et  mortuorum  cadaueraad

uitam  quam  amiserant  reuocarunt  .  NuIIus  tamen  horum  qui  ha?c  signa  et  prodigia

fecisse  leguntur  sibimet  honorem  diuini  nominis  usurpauit  :  quod  iste  fecit  :  quem

25  lesum  dicunt  isti  Christum  et  deuni  et  dei  filium  conlitentur  .  Syluester  episcopus

respondit  :  hoc  interim  negare  non  potes  :  quod  archisynagogi  nostri  filiam  mortuam

suscitauit  :  et  unicum  uiduai  in  feretro  porlatum  mortuum  matri  uiuum  reddidit  :

Etiam  in  sepulchro  quatriduanum  habens  corpus  ftetens  lazari  ac  si  dormientem  susci-

tauit  .  Mentior  si  historiographus  uester  lose  |  phus  non  de  illo  ista  facta  retulerit  .

30  Sed  et  Carphus  princeps  sacerdotum  uestrorum  in  isto  facto  idest  in  suscitato  Lazaro

libare  exarserit  .  Si  non  et  pylatus  haec  eadem  sua  relatione  significauerit  .  Tum

Abiathar  :  an  fuisse  et  alios  dixi  :  qui  ista  facientes  seruos  esse  se  dei  memorant  .

Nam  iste  deum  se  esse  asseruit  .  Ad  quem  Syluester  :  meminisse  inquit  debes  Aaron

et  Mariam  contra  Moysen  superbientes  leprae  plaga  fuisse  percussos  .  Abialhar  ila  est

35  inquit  .  Tum  Syluester  :  et  hoc  ad  animum  reuoca  Dathan  et  Choreb  et  Abiron

uiuentes  a  terra  propter  superbiam  deuoratos  .  Abiathar  dixit :  ita  est  .  Cui  Syluester  :

nec  hoc  praeterire  te  patiar  :  quod  Saul  Christus  effectus  per  superbiam  spiritu

daemonum  mancipatus  sit  :  Dixitque  Abiathar  :  ita  est  .  Respondit  Syluester  :  si  ita

est  :  imo  quia  ita  est  :  uideant  iudices  :  utrum  nam  iste  qui  caecis  uisum  reddidit  :

40  surdis  auditum  :  daemonia  ex  obsessis  corporibus  eiecit  :  maria  siccis  pedibus  ambu-

lauit  .  tempestates  tranquillas  fecit  paralyticos  curauit  et  suscitauit  mortuos  :  si  men-

tiri  potuerit  :  et  se  deum  dicere  :  quod  non  erat  .  Cum  utique  deus  iste  hebreorum

nunquam  passus  est  superbientes  absque  plaga  aliqua  acerrima  prajterire  :  Hunc  uero

dicentem  se  deum   uirtutum  efficacia  comitabanlur   :  Dicebal  denique   incredulis  :

45  quos  docebat  :  si  uerbis  meis  non  creditis  :  uel  uirtutibus  credite  .  Zenopnilus+  illu-

stris  et  .+  Craton  philosophus  dixerunt  :  constat  Abialhar  a  Syluestro  superatum  :  si

contigerit  deum  hebreorum  semper  superbientibus  restitisse  :  sed  el  ipsa  ratio  eui-

denti  documento  suppeditat  :  iste  si  deus  non  esset :  et  deum  se  diceret  :  non  potuisset

nec  conferre   uitam  mortuis   ualeret  .  Tunc  amoto  Abiathar  :   lonas  ad  confVictum

50  admissus  est  :  qui  et  dixit  :  rationi  humana^  non  committenda  fidcs  :  qua’  dcum  hunc

suadeat  credi  :  quem  tu  unum  deum  patreni  et  filiuni  el  spiritumsanctum  confilearis  .

Syluester  episcopus  dixit  :  cum  legas  in  tuis  libris  de  patre  :  quod  dicat  lilio  :  filius

meus  eg  tu  :  et  filius  :  quod  dicat  patri  ipse  inuocauit  nie  :  pater  meus  es  tu  :  quare

quasi  ||  nouum  aliquid  non  cxistimas  in  hac  sancta  trinilate  asserere  Nam  de  spiri-

55  tusancto  audi  prophetam  tuum  orantcm  :  spirilumsanctum  luum  ne  auferas  a  me  :  el

alium  prophetam  dicentem  :  spiritus  a  me  pi^oditt*^  :  et  alius  propheta  dicit  :  sj)irilu

oris  eius  omnis  uirtus  eorum  idest  ca^lorum  .  lonas  dixit  :  Nunc  ordo  disputalionis

nostrae  ab  Abraam  patre  nostro  sumat  exordium  :  qui  ita  carus  deo  extilit  :  ut  etiam

–  cclxxxvi’]  SYLVESTER  519

amicum  suum  deus  illum  diceret  :  et  generationem  eius  :  idcirco  in  ea  parte  corporis

consecraret  :  quia  genus  hoc  nostrum  naturaliter  existeret  .  Denique  cum  diuideret

deus  g-entes  :  et  fines  earum  iuxta  numerum  statueret  angelorum  :  facta  est  portio

ipsius  generatio  haec  nostra  in  lacob  :  qui  fuit  filius  Abrase  .  Mentior  si  ita  esse

scriptum  praesens  potuerit  negare  Syluester  .  Ad  quem  ille  respondit  :  ita  esse  negare  5

non  possumus  :  sed  cur  hoc  in  medium  attuleris  ignoramus  .  lonas  dixit  :  quoniam

circoncisio  est  :  quae  sanctificat  colentes  deum  nostrum  :  Denique  si  quis  ex  gentibus

huic  nostro  populo  sociari  uoluisset  :  nisi  circoncisus  esset  :  id  fieri  penitus  omnino

non  posset  .  Syluester  episcopus  respondit  :  recte  ista  diceres  :  si  absque  circoncisione

nullus  potuisset  iustus  uel  scribi  uel  credi  :  Nam  et  Abel  primus  deo  placuisse  legi-  10

tur  :  et  iustissimus  extitisse  .  Enoch  sanctissimus  memoratur  :  siquidem-  translatum

illum  e  medio  mortalium  diuino  testimonio  credimus  .  Noe  quoque  ipse  deus  ita

loquitur  :  te  inueni  iustum  in  ista  gente  .  Sem  et  laphet  ipsius  Noe  asserlio  et  bene-

diclio  approbat  iustissimos  .  Tunc  fuisse  Melchisedech  summum  sacerdotem  dei

sacratissima  lestatur  scriptura  .  Ecce  hos  omnes  absque  circoncisionis  uuhiere  deo  15

placuisse  si  negaueris  conuinceris  .  Si  non  negaueris  :  simul  et  te  in  hac  parte  supe-

ratum  statuti  iudices  data  sententia  roborabunt  .  lonas  dixit  :  memor  esse  debes  :

quia  initium  assertionis  meae  hoc  fuerit  quod  et  dixi  :  ab  Abraam  lineam  disputalionis

assumere  .  Tunc  Syluester  :  Priores  Abraam  ideo  nominaui  :  ut  respondeas  utrum  nam

ipse  sit  deus  :  |  cui  etiam  Abraam  complacuit  .  lonas  dixit  :  ipse  est  .  Syluester  20

episcopus  respondit :  interrogo  nunc  :  per  quid  placuisse  istos  deo  commemoras  :  per

circoncisionem  an  per  iusticiam  ?  lonas  dixit  :  per  iusticiam  .  Respoudit^^  Syluester  :

lusticia  dei  ipsis  in  solis  operibus  bonig  comprobata  est  :  aut  etiam  per  fidem  qua

crederent  deum  hunc  esse  :  qui  ca^lum  tseramque  ac  mare  cum  omnibus  qua)  in  eis

sunt  creauerit?  Et  lonas  :  nec  inquit  poterant  iusti  dici  :  nisi  iustum  crederent  deum  .  25

Ad  haic  Syluester  :  Quid  nunc  interrogem  diligenter  Augusta  intendat  .  Abraam

quoque  quando  illi  dictum  est  a  deo  :  exi  de  terra  tua  :  quando  illi  dictum  est  a  deo  :

noli  timere  ergo  tecum  sum  :  quando  flagellauit  deus  domum  Abimalech  rcgis  propter

eum  :  et  dictum  est  regi  :  scias  quia  propheta  meus  est  :  uide  ne  contingas  eum  :  sed

magis  oret  pro  te  :  auferatur  a  domo  tua  sterilitas  .  Dic  mihi  quando  uidit  angelos  30

tres  :  et  adorauit  :  et  salutauit  :  et  in  ipsa  trinilate  unum  dominum  memorauit  :  dic

mihi  :  quando  credidit  :  quod  filium  consequi  posset  grandaeuus  et  senior  centena-

ria  aetate  iam  frigidus  :  et  credidit  :  et  reputatum  est  ei  ad  iusticiam  :  et  amicus  dei

appellatus  est  .  dic  obsecro  iam  circoncisus  erat  :  an  adhuc  circonsionisi”  nulla  nun-

quam  mentio  extiterat  ?  Ad  hanc  interrogationem  lonas  conticuit  :  Et  cum  insisteret  35

Syluester  :  ut  daret  inlerroganti  responsum  :  coepit  dicere  :  ego  tecum  de  circunci-

sione  ago  :  quia  deus  generationi  haibreorum  attribuit  :  ut  doceret  hoc  uirtutis  indi-

cium  :  quod  generi  nostro  concessum  est  .  Syluester  episcopus  respondit  :  noli  mihi

anfractus  obiicere  :  et  quasi  anguis  lubricus  quo  citius  coarctaris  eifugere  :  atque  ab

interrogationibus  non  finitis  abscedere  .  dic  quod  tuae  initium  interrogationis  assum-  40

psisse  conuinceris  :  Abraam  dixisti  disputationis  tuae  normam  arripere  .  Dic  ergo  :

quando  Abraam  his  uniuersis  uirtutibus  promotus  dei  est  amicus  efTectus  iam  circun-

cisus  erat  an  incircuncisus  .  lonas  dixit  :  nondum  fuerat  circuncisus  .  Syluester

episcopus  respondit  :  Interim  amicum  illum  dei  fides  fecit  .  dic  nobis  :  quid  |1  plus  ab

amico  per  circuncisionem  promeruit  :  si  nihil  signaculum  fidei  potest  esse  circuncisio  45

generi  necesarium  ?  Praescius  enim  deus  generationem  haebreorum  per  uarias  gentes

diffundi  :  signum  carni  eorum  attribuit  :  ut  tanti  uiri  generatio  per  hoc  signata  osten-

deret  patrem  suum  Abraam  per  fidem  et  iusticiam  ad  dei  amicicias  peruenisse  .  Gra-

ton  philosophus  et  Zenophilus  illustris  dixerunt  :  prasrogatiua  circuncisionis  excludit

finem  iusticiae  .  Docuit  enim  Syluester  non  de  ciruncisione^  deo  Abraam  sed  de  fide  50

et  iusticia  placuisse  :  Vnde  si  aliud  lonas  quod  proferat  non  habet  :  ammotus  absce-

dat  :  Sciat  enim  propositionem  suam  lonas  euidentissime  superatam  .  Constantinus

Augustus  dixit  :  miror  ludaeum  scripturis  ex  omni  parte  superatum  .  Amoto  itaque

lona  :  accessit  Godolias  :  qui  et  dixit  :  nos  de  illo  agimus  quem  natum  in  euangelii

eorum  scriptura  legitur  creuisse  aetate  et  sapientia  :  temptatum  a  diabolo  :  post  efiam  55

uaenundatione  discipuli  traditum  :  tentum  :  tractum  :  illusum  :  flagellis  caesum  :  ciba-

tum  felle  :  potatum  aceto  :  spinis  coronatum  :  expoliatum  :  uestimenta  eius  in  sortem

cecidisse  :  crucifixum  mortuum  et  sepultum  .  Ad  ha3c  Syluester  respondit  :  Haec

b20  SYLVESTER  [cclxxxvr  –

omnia  prffidicla  esse  de  Christo  uestris  hodie  scriptis  docebimus  .  Nam  nasci  eum  ex

uirgine  sanctus  Isaias  hoc  ordine  prajdixit  :  Ecce  uirgo  in  utero  concipiet  :  et  pariet

fdium  :  et  uocabitur  nomen  eius  Emanuel  .  quod  uero  inter  homines  conuersatus  sit  :

audi  luum  prophetam  dicentem  :  hic  deus  noster  :  et  non  estimabitur  praeter  eum  :

5  qui  ostendit  uiam  salutis  lacob  puero  suo  et  Israel  dilecto  suo  .  Post  haec  in  terris

uisus  est  :  et  cum  hominibus  conuersatus  est  :  nam  quod  temptandus  esset  a  diabolo  :

et  uinceret  diabolum  :  sanctus  Zacharias  propheta  dicit  :  Vidi  :  lesum  magnum  sacer-

dotem  :  et  stabat  diabolus  a  dextris  eius  :  et  dixit  ad  eum  :  imperat  tibi  deus  diabole  :

qui  redemit  Israel  .  quod  autem  compraehendendus  esset  :  sapientia  dei  per  Salomo-

10  nem  loquitur  :  Dixerunt  inquit  impii  compraehendamus  iustum  :  quia  inutilis  est  no  |

bis  :  Nam  quod  a  discipulo  tradendus  esset  :  dicit  psalmigraphus  :  qui  edebat  panes

meos  :  adampliauit  aduersum  me  supplantationem  .  Et  quod  expoliandus  esset  :  et

ros+  eius  in  sorte  caderet  :  praedixit  sanctus  Dauid  propheta  dicens  :  diuiserunt  sibi

uestimenta  mea  :  et  super  ueslem  meam  miserunt  sortem  :  Nam  quod  a  falsis  testibus

15   accusandus  esset :  praedixit  propheta  dicens  :  insurreserunt+  in  me  testes  iniqui  :  quod

spinis  quidem  coronandus  esset  :  prasdixit  sanctus  Hieremias  propheta  Spinis  pecca-

toruni  suorum  circondederunt  me  populus  hic  .  Et  quod  esca  fellis  cibandus  esset  et

aceto  potandus  :  prajdixit  sanctus  propheta  dicens  :  dederunt  in  escam  meam  fel  :  et

in  isli^  mea  potauerunt  me  aceto  .  Et  quia  illudendus  esset  :  pr^edixit  sanctus  Hie-

20  remias  dicens   :  in   illusione    faclus  sum  populo   huic  :   Nam  quod   uinculis  eorum

ligandus  esset  :  et  crucifigendus  in  ligno  :  dicit  sanctus  Hesdras  :  uinxistis  me  non

sicut  patrem  :  qui  liberauit  nos  de  terra  aegipti  clamantes  ante  tribunal  iudicis  :

humiliastis  me  suspensum  in  ligno  :  tradidislis  me  .  quod  uero  sepeliendus  esset  :

sanctus  Hieremias  dicit  :  In  sepultura  enim  reuiuiscunt  mortui  .  Tempore  autem  quo

25  dominus  noster  lesus  christus  in  passione  emisit  spiritum  monumenta  aperla  sunt  :  et

mulla  corpora  sanctorum  dormientium  surrexerunt  :  haec  si  potueris  tu  ludaee  pro-

bare  :  quia  non  a  uestris  prophelis  prophelata  sunt  :  quasi  mendacem  superabis  me  .

Si  autem  uere  ista  a  prophetis  sanctis  uobis  prophetata  sunt  :  tuis  crede  si  meis  non

credis  :  quia  probaui  esse  :  quie  dicta  sunt  .  Et  si  hoc  tu  Iuda?e  negare  uolueris  :

30   religionem  tuam  ipse  destrues  .  Sin  uei’0  uera  dixisse  confessus  fueris  :  et  tuos  pro-

phetas  ueros  testes  astrues  :  et  nostrum  Christum  conuictus  adorabis  .  Ad  hicc  Godo-

lias  miror  inquit  fronlem  gentilis  hominis  legis  nostrae  sibi  scientiam  usurpantem  .

Ad  quem  Syluester  :  unum  ergo  e  duobus  aut  deum  ueracem  probabunt  iudices  :  et

te  superflua  tergiuersatione  nientitum  :  aut  deum  mentitum  :  et  le  posse  deo  uerius

35  prolulisse  .  Craton  et  Zenophilus  di  ||  xerunt  :  \’idit  nunc  Godolias  solicismum  cui-

dentissimum  incurrisse  :  Aut  enim  gentiles  pra^sumere  non   debent  scienciam  legis

uestrae  :  si  hoc  deus  hebreorum  non  dixit  :  aut  si  dixit  deus  Abraa^  quod  in  semine

eius  hereditabunt  omnes  genles  et  promissum  suum  ipse  qui  promisit  impleuit :  supe-

ratum  te  esse  in  tua  obiectione  cognosce  :  si  hoc  deum  promisisse  non  denegas  .

40   Constantinus  Augustus  dixit  :  si  qua  sunt  alia  proferantur  :  quia  ista  satis  iusle  sunt

defmita  .  Recessit  igitur  Godolias  :  et  accessit  Aunan  :  qui  et  dixit  :  omnia  quaj  de

aliquo  sancto  prajdicta  sunt  a  prophelis  .  Syluester  de  Christo  suo  prajdicta  esse  afir-

mat  :  unde  iuslissimum  est  :  ut  probare  debeat  hoc  de  illo  Christo  priedictum  fuisset

per  prophetas  :  ut  nasceretur  :  ut  temptaretur  ut  teneretur  :  ut  contumeliis  aftlige-

45  retur  .  postremo  ut  crucifigeretur  :  ut  mortuus  sepeliretur  .  Ad  ha^c  Syluester  respon-

dit  :  necesse  ergo  nobis  erit  tuas   tibi  scripturas  exponere  :  de  quibus  mihi  prius

fatearis  tuas  esse  scripturas  :  et  ueras  esse  :   et  nullam  pcnitus  nebulam  falsitatis

habere  .  Aunan  dixit  :  uera  esse  omnia  quai  proj)hela;  dixerunt  omnes  scimus  :  ct

nullus  ignorat  :  sed  tu  ad  alia  dicta  alia  doces  .  Cui  Syluester  :  ergo  dabis  alium  quem

50   uirgo  concepit  :  et  peperit  :  dabis  alium  qui  gentes  ad  tuam  lcg^em  spiritaliter  intelli-

gendam  adduxit  :  dabis  alium  :  qui  felle  cibatus  sit  :  et  acelo  potatus  :  spinis  coro-

natus  :  crucifixus  :  mortuus  et  sepultus  :  qui  terlia  die  resurrexit  a  mortuis  et  ascen-

dit  in  caelos  .  Tum  Conslantiuus+  Augustus  :  Si  inquit  allerum  non  dederit  :  Aunan

sciat  se  euidentissime  superatum  .  Craton  dixit  :  si  promissum  a  deo  per  prophetas

55   constat  hoc  :  quod  in  Christo  complelum  est  :  uidetur  .Aunan  euadendi  adilum  non

patere  .  Vnde  et  isto  amoto  accedat  :  qui  obiiciat  :  si  qua  obiicienda  sunt  :  Inhoneslum

est  enim  dato   responso  alia  pro  aliis  quiercre  :  et  iustis  responsionibus  insensatis

obicctionibus  contraire  .  Docch  quinlus  dixit  ;  Si  ex  semiuc  Dauid  Christus  dcus

A

–  cclxxxvir]  SYLVESTER  521

factus  est  :  quia  sanctificatus  natus  est :  baptizari  non  debuit  .  hoc  enim  si  [  nascendo

habuit  ut  dei  filius  diceretur  :  necessarium  illi  non  fuit  :  ut  hoc  iterum  sibi  gratula-

retur  per  baptismum  euenire  :  quod  iam  nascendo  extiterat  .  Ad  haec  Syluester  :  sicut

circuncisio  finem  in  circuncisione  Christi  accepit  :  ita  consecratio  inilium  baptismatis

per  baptismum   Christi  suscepit  .   Non  enim   sanctificatus  est  ab  aqua  baptismatis     5

Christus  :  sed  ipse  eam  suo  sanctificauit  ingressu  :  quam  cum  intrasset  :  caelos  ei

aperiri  fecit  :  quos  contra  se  ipsa  aqua  clausos  habuerat  :  et  spiritumsanctum  de  ca^lo

uenientem  accipere  praestitit  :  ut  per  ipsum  sic  lauaret  animam  a  peccatis  :  sicut  per

se  lauat  corpora  a  sordibus  inquinata  :  et  per  ipsum  discerent  omnes  credentes  in

baptismatis  unda  posse  sanctum  spiritum  accipere  .  Zenophilus  dixit  :  satisfactum   10

censeo  interrogationi  tuai  :  quod  si  te  aliquid   dicturum  existimas  :  quaere  :  At  ille

conticuit  .  Constantinus  Augustus  dixit  :  non  taceret  Doech  :  si  haberet  contraria  :

quae  proferret  .  Sextus  Chusi  didascalus  dixit  :  Non  est  ab  re  :  sed  ualde  opportunum  :

ut  causas  nobis  partus  uirginalis  exponas  .  Ad  quem  Syluester  respondit  :  legisti  in

scripturis  quia  de  limo  terra^  deus  fecerit  primum  hominem  :  et  eiectus  de  paradiso   15

deliciarum  dei  ut  in  labore  et  sudore  ederet  panem  .  Chusi  dixit  :  Ita  est  .  Tum

Syluester  :   ergo  exul   factus   est  Adam  per  prseuaricationem   :   quando  inde   foras

missus  est  :  ubi  deliciis  affluebat  .  Chusi  dixit  :  ita  est  .  Et  Syluester  :  dic  mihi  :

terra  de  qua  factus  est  Adam  :  incorrupta  erat  an  corrupta  ?  Chusi  dixit  incorrupta

erat  .  Ad  haec  Syluester  respondit  :  Bene  dixisti  incorrupta  erat  :  quoniam  uirgo  erat  .   20

Chusi  dixit  quomodo   uirgo   erat?  Cui  Syluester  :  si   incorrupta  erat  :  uirgo  erat  .

Chusi   dixi  :  ignoro  ad  quam   partem  incorruptam   aut  uirginem   dicas  :  Syluester

episcopus  respondit  :  tu  non  legisti  deum  dixisse  ad  Chain  :  corruptam  esse  terram  :

qute  aperuit  os  suum  :  et  bibit  sanguinem  fratris  eius  ?  Chusi  dixit  :  legitur  .  Tum

Syluester  :  ergo  uirgo  erat  ante  terra  :  quia  nec  maledictionem  spinarum  acceperat  :   25

et  sepulchrum  corpo  ||  ris  humani  mortui  uon  habebat  :  sed  nec  serpenti  data  fuerat

ad  edendum  .  Chusi  dixit  :  ita  est  .  Syluester  respondit  :  si  ita  est  :  imo  quia  ita  est  :

oportuit  enim  ex  uirgine  Maria  nouum  Adam  fieri  :  qui  serpentem  temptantem  se

uinceret  :  idest  qui  uictorem  Adee  primi  hominis  uinceret  :  et  hominem  de  eius  capti-

uitate   auferret  :  Et  qui  Adaj  uictor  extitit  in  paradiso  :  ipse  temptator  factus  esl   30

domini  in  deserto  :  et  qui  uicerat  Adam  manducantem  :  uinceretur  a  domino  ieiu-

nante  .  Nam  sicut  manducatum  est  ab  Adam  suadente  diabolo  :  et  omnes  qui  nascun-

tur  in  terra  ab  Adam  morti  addicti  sunt  :  ila  ieiunatum  est  a  domino  :  et  omnes  qui

per  eum  renascuntur  :  uitae  a?lerna!  restituuntur  .  Nunc  ergo  sicut  mortem  non  inue-

niunt  :  nisi  qui  nati  fuerint  ex  carne  Adee  et  sanguine  :  ita  uitam  non  inueniunt  :  nisi  35

renati  fuerint  ex  aqua  et  spiritusancto  :  et  carnem  Christi  et  sanguinem  sua3  carni  et

sanguini  sociauerint  :  qui  uicit  diabolum  :  paradisum  reddidit  :  et  uita3  aeterne  ianuas

patefecit  .  Tunc  Constantinus  Augustus  cum  iudicibus  et  uniuersis  in  laudem  clama-

uerunt  Syluestri  .  Sep.timus  extitit  Beniamin  dicens  :  adhuc  tempus  laudandi  Syluestri

non  est  :  sunt  enim  plurima  :  quae  obiiciamus  :  Cum  ergo  de  uniuersis  satisfactum   40

fuerit   :   et  ipsi    manus   dantes  in   laudibus   eius    uictoriae   prosiliemus   .    Respondit

Syluester  :  consuetudo  illorum  qui  iniusta  defendunt  talis  est  :  ut  dillationibus  stu-

deant  :  sitque  eorunl  solatium  iusticiae  differre  uictoriam  .  Dic  ergo  :  quae  uelis  ut

agnoscas  spiritumsanctum   paratum  habere  in  corde  nostro  responsum  .  Beniamin

dixit :  nos  de  illo  agimus  :  qui  natus  est  Octauiani  Csesaris  temporibus  :  de  quo  euan-  45

gelia  uestra  dicunt  :  quod  temptatus  sit  a  diabolo  :  et  traditus  a  discipulo  :  pretio  tra-

ditionis  accepto  :  et  tentus  sit  a  turbis  :  et  pro  blasphemiis  suis  palmis  csesus  in

faciem  :  et  flagellis  in  corpore  et  spinis  coronatus  in  capite  :  et  inter  homicidas  fixus

in  cruce  :  et  mortuus  et  sepultus  :  cuius  monimentum  colitis  :  et  dicitis  quod  surrexit

a  mortuis  :  hunc  deum  dicere  quae  ratio  faciat  non  possum  appro  |  bare  .  Syluester  50

respondit  :  Excluso  Chusi  cum  quo  mihi  erat  conflictus  :  nunc  ad  singula  quae  obie-

cisti  ausculta  .  Cum  ergo  dicerem  scmper+  fuisse  filium  dei  :  ipse  dixisti  :  nos  de  illo

dicimus  :  qui  nuper  natus  est  :  et  noluisti  dicere  :  qui  de  uirgine  natus  est  :  ne  tibi

obuiaret  propheta  tuus  :  et  diceret :  hunc  esse  Emanuel  :  quod  interpraetatur  nobiscum

deus  .  nam  ipse  est  .  de  quo  omnes  prophetae  iudaeorum  praeconati  sunt  .  Denique  de   55

natiuitate  eius  Esaias  clamat  dicens  :  ecce  uirgo  in  utero  accipiet  :  et  pariet  filium  :

et  uocabunt  nomen  eius  Emanuel  .  Hic  ergo  natus  ex  saemine  Dauid  secundum  car-

nem  :  qui  praedestinatus  est  filius  dei  in  uirtute  iureiurando  iurauerat  ad  Dauid  deus

522  SYLVESTER  [cclxxxviiv  –

dicens  :  de  fructu  uentris  tui  ponam  super  sedem  meam  :  et  necesse  erat  :  ut  iura-

mentum  suum  impleret  :  ut  hunc  filium  quem  antequam  esset  mundus  generauerat  :

quem  uirgo  concepit  et  peperit  :  corporaret  :  et  esset  in  eo  perfectus  deus  ante  saecula

genitus  ex  patre  sine  matre  :  et  perfectus  homo  ex  matre  cui  non  esset  pater  carnalis  :

5  Spiritus  enim  sanctus  uirginis  uiscera  munda  immaculata  et  intacta  ingressus  homi-

nem  talem  fecit  eam  concipere  :  ut  mundum  qui  fuerat  perditus  restauraret  :  et  iste

qui  est  deus  dei  fdius  inuisibilis  per  ipsum  uisibilis  appareret  :  essetque  inter  homines

deus  per  hominem  :  cui  dixit  pater  de  caelis  :  filius  meus  es  tu  ego  hodie  genui  te  .  Si

hoc  scriptum  in  uestris  codicibus  non  est  :  recusare  stude  .  Si  uero  scriptum  est :  tuis

10  potius  scripturis  quam  meis  assertionibus  crede  .  Tum  Beniamin  :  cum  non  de  sola

natiuitate  Christi  uestri  sed  et  de  illusione  et  traditione  et  passione  et  morte  eius  inter-

rogatus  sis  :  de  sola  natiuitate  uisus  es  aliqua  intimasse  :  Et  ideo  necessarium

ducens  :  ut  de  caeteris  astruas  :  propterea  dixi  laudem  tuse  differri  uictorise  .  Ad  quem

Syluester  respondit  :  prius  est  :  ut  confitearis  Christum  natum  me  iuste  definisse  :  ut

15  cum  fuerit  uictoria  mea  de  natiuitate  eius  posita  :  de  sola  tecum  passione  confligam  .

Constantinus  Augustus  dixit  :  iusta  interrogatio  antistitis  :  fateri  enim  debes  de  iis  quae

dicta  II  sunt  si  recte  definita  sunt :  nec  de  eodem  iterum  conflictus  incurrat .  Respondit

Beniamin  :  bene  quidem  dicta  poterunt  dici  :  si  ista  quaa  sequuntur  non  laeserint  .

Tum  Syluester  :  dic  ergo  quae  sequuntur  .  Ad  haec  Beniamin  :  ergo  sic  filius  dei  a

20  diabolo  temptari  potuit  :  ut  modo  in  fame  panem  ex  lapidibus  facere  urgeretur  :

modo  in  celsitudine  leuaretur  :  modo  ad  adorandum  ipsum  diabolum  per  ostensas

diuitias  suaderetur  .  Cui  Syluester  respondit  :  oblitus  es  me  iam  dixisse  :  ille  qui  per

manducantem  Adam  uictoriam  ceperat  :  quod  per  Christum  ieiunantem  sit  superatus

ct  uictus  .  Si  enim  ideo  uicit  :  quia  ab  Adam  auditus  est  :  constat  ideo  superatum  :

25  quia  est  a  Christo  ieiunante  contemptus  .  Nos  autem  non  filium  dei  temptatum

dicimus  sed  filium  hominis  :  in  quo  plenitudo  fili+  dei  consistebat  :  Nam  sicut  in  eo

plena  diuinitas  erat  :  sic  in  eo  etiam  plena  humanitas  ,  Vere  enim  homo  erat  Chrislus

lesus  :  qui  dedit  semetipsum  redemptionem  pro  omnibus  :  Et  sicut  penitus  temptari

non  poterat  hoc  quod  erat  filius  dei  :  ita  plenissimae  temptationis  agonem  agebat  iste  :

30  qui  erat  filius  hominis  .  Si  enim  homo  perfectus  non  fuisset  :  non  uicisset  illum  :  qui

perfectum  hominem  uicerat  :  uictoria  enim  eius  nobis  prodesse  omnino  non  poterat  :

edoceri  poterat  Adae  perditionem  humano  generi  obfuisse  :  sed  sicut  filium  uirginis

terrae  hominem  perfectum  uicit  diabolus  :  et  omnes  natos  eius  in  mortis  sententia

ccepit  :  ita  et  a  filio   uirginis   Mariae    homine   perfecto   superatus    :   omnes   renatos

35  per  eum  uitae  aeternae  inuitus  restituit  ,  Idcirco  enim  deus  noster  ait  :  nisi  quis

renatus  fuerit  ex  aqua  et  spiritusancto  :  non  habebit  uitam  a^lernam  .  ^’na  ergo

in  homine  terrena  natiuitas  :  quae  nascitur  morti  :  et  allera  spiritalis  qua?  nasci-

tur  uit.-u  perpeluaj  :  quam  natiuitatem  nobis  Christus  illo  tempore  aperuit  :  quando

temptantem  se  diabolum  superauit  .  Noli  ergo  templatum  auertere  deum  :  sed  despice

40  diabolum  superatum  .  Nam  diabolus  semel  uicerat  Adam  :  a  Christo  triplici  est

uictoria  superatus  .  Suffecerat  itaque  hoc  :  ut  qui  ideo  uicerat  :  quoniam  j  persua-

sioni  eius  Adam  pater  omnium  nascentium  manducando  consenserat  :  Christus  qui

est  pater  omnium  renascentium  :  contempserit  ieiurando+  :  et  duplicatur  imo  tripli-

catur  in  temptatione  uictoria  :   ut  qui  semel  uicerat  :  tripliciter  uincerelur  .  Nam

45  super  pinnam  templi  eleuatus  est  qui  ieiunium  extollentiaj  stimulis  perurgebat  ut

quasi  qui  uictor  per  ieiunium  extiterat  :  per  semet  ipsa  uictoria  ieiunii  uideretur

extolli  :  et  iam  quasi  uictor  angelorum  ministeria  sibi  promissa  exigens  in  suo  pra^ci-

pitio  comprobaret  :  sed  ut  daret  nobis  suae  formam  uictoriae  :  ut  quamuisl^  superatum

aliquis  diabolum  per  ieiunium  gaudeat  :  extolli  omnino  non  debeat  :  Digiium  huius

50  loci  triumphum  oblinuit :  in  quo  non  sibi  sed  nobis  credentibus  uicit  :  et  ipsum  supe-

ralum  diabolum  per  ieiunium  secuta  est  extollentia  .  superata  iterum  extoUentia

conteniptu  diuiliarum  secuta  est  gloria  .  his  enim  duabus  uictoriis  cclebratis  uictria^s^

et  gloriae  humana’  suppcdilant  hi  :  si  qui  ab  eo  diuilia*  oblincri  polucrunl  :  qui

adoralor  eorum  cxtitcrit  :  quorum  monelur  cssc  contemplor  .  Nam  quicumque  famo-

55  sissimus  per  sanctitatem  extiterit  :  incipiunt  ei  simul  regos  honoreni  cum  nobilibus

exhibere  :  Is  ipse  si  per  occasionem  sublimium  personarum  amore  caplus  fuerit

pecuniae  :  non  eam  lucrabitur  nisi  fuerit  eis  contra  iusliciam  adolatus  :  et  eos  quos

scit  per  polucionem  et  luxuriam  et  maliciam  et  iniusticiam  inlra  se  haberc  diabolum

–  cgIxxxviiii’-]  SYLVESTER  523

non  solum  non  execratur  et  arguit :  uerum  etiam  flectens  ceruicem  adorat  et  despicit  :

et  hic  esse  triumphus  quod  suae  dimicationis  dominus  noster  lesus  christus  obtinuit  :

ut  diceret  diabolo  offerenti  diuitias  et  dominationem  inimicam  iusticiae  exigenti  :  ut

eum  quem  praescium  nouerat  pro  oblatis  diuitiis  adoraret  :  uade  Sathana  :  scriptum

est  enim  dominum  deum  tuum  adorabis  :  et  ipsi  soli  seruies  .  Ecce  omnes  tibi  5

temptationis  causas  exposui  :  crede  iam  ludeee  ut  possis  per  eum  qui  uicit  tempta-

tiones  euadere  :  et  nobiscum  Ghristi  istas  tres  temptationis  uictorias  celebrare  .  Tunc

nihilominus  in  laudibus  Syl  ||  uestri  simul  cum  Augusto  iudices  et  uniuersi  populi

clamoribus  immorati  sunt  diutissime  .  Dehinc  octauus  Arojiel  prorumpens  in  uocem

dixit  :  Deus  certe  perfectio  est  :  et  nullus+  rei  eget  :  quid  ergo  ei  opus  fuit  :  ut  nasce-  lo

retur  in  Christo  ?  Syluester  episcopus  respondit  :  filius  dei  qui  ante  tempora  ex  patre

est  genitus  :  ut  faceret  ea  quae  non  erant  :  id  est  cselum  terram  et  omnia  quae  in  eis

sunt  .  Et  cum  haec  diceret  Arohel  dixit  :  ergo  filius  dei  fecit  caelum  et  terram  .  Gui

Syluester  :  quid  putas  filium  dei  esse  .  Arohel  dixit  :  tu  debes  dicere  :  qui  illum

colis  .  Syluesler  ait  :  filium  dei  uerbum  patris  legimus  credimus  et  probamus  .  Sed  15

quia  ex  ludteorum  ssemine  es  :  et  nunc  christianorum  discipulus  esse  incipis  :  audi

Dauid  dicentem  :  uerbo  domini  cajli  firmati  suut+  .  Item  alius  propheta  dicit  :  uerbum

dei  ualidum  et  forte  quis  polerit  compra^hendere  illud  :  cuius  uirtute  terra  fundata

est  :  et  cffilum  cum  suis  luminaribus  solidatum  est  :  et  mari  in  sinu  suo  diffusum  est?

Arohel  dixit  ;  uerbum  hoc  qua  ratione  filium  dei  asseras  edicito  .  Tum  Syluester  :  20

filium  se  genuisse  uerbum  ipse  pater  asserit  dicens  :  tecum  principium  in  die  uirtutis

tuae  in  splendoribus  sanctorum  :  ex  utero  ante  luciferum  genui  te  .  Tanta  ergo  uirtus

patris  omnipotentis  est  :  ut  sermo  qui  ex  ore  eius  exiit  ad  facienda  omnia  quaj  sunt  :

hic  enim  filius  probari  possit  et  credi  .  Arohel  dixit  :  Gonstat  quod  ante  quam

haberet  filium  :  pater  dici  non  potuit  :  Dic  mihi  quomodo  immutabilis  dici  potest  :  2b

cui  hoc  nomen  acccdit  ?  Respoudit  Syluester  :  nolo  tam  stulte  erres  :  ut  deum  putes

ita  generare  sicut  homines  generant  :  Nam  deus  semper  pater  fuit  :  quia  semper

lilius  extitit  :  cuius  et  pater  est  .  Non  ergo  ex  accidenti  hoc  sortitus  est  nomen  :

Semper  enim  pater  et  uerbum  habuit  :  et  uirtutem  habuit  :  et  sapientiam  habuit  .

Verbum  ergo  dicimus  dei  uirtutem  et  sapientiam  :  quam  semper  in  patre  fuisse  30

dubium  esse  non  poterit  .  Arohel  dixit  :  et  unde  hoc  docere  poteris  .  Syluester

respondit  :  In  corde  patris  uerbum  hoc  semper  fuisse  :  ipse  deus  paler  eui  |  denter

expressit  :  cum  diceret  :  Eructauit  cor  meum  uerbum  bonum  .  Item  in  libro  sapien-

liae  loquitur  ipsa  sapientia  dicens  :  ego  ex  ore  altissimi  prodii  :  ego  feci  :  ut  oriretur

lux  quando  stabiliebantur  montes  :  et  firmabatur  terra  :  et  fundebantur  flumina  :  et  35

erumpebant  fontes  aquarum  :  ego  eram  disponens  omnia  .  Gum  ergo  semper  apud  se

habuerit  uerbum  uirtutis  :  pater  uerbum  non  coepit  habere  quod  non  habebat  :  cum

ista  omnia  lierent :  sed  uirtutem  operum  uerbi  sui  coepit  ostendere  :  quod  et  habebat :

El  sic  fit  ut  non  dicatur  mutatus  deus  :  cui  paternitatis  nomen  accesserit  ;  Sic  enim

semper  fuit  deus  :  ut  semper  esset  pater  :  quia  sapientia  eius  et  uirtus  eius  uei’bum  40

est  .  Gum  ergo  sine  sapientia  nunquam  fuerit  :  et  sine  uirtute  :  quomodo  putas  hoc

nomen  deo  ex  tempore  uenisse  :  cum  semper  fuerit  filius  :  cuius  est  pater  ?Zenophilus

dixit  :  a  natiuitate  Beniamin  sumpsit  eloquium  :  et  ideo  de  sola  natiuitate  responsum

datum  aut  accipite  aut  recusate  :  ut  de  caeteris  singilatim  possim  uobis  dare  respon-

sum  .  At  ille  ^siluit  :  nec  amplius  loqui  ualuit  .  Nonus  lubal  phariseus  dixit  :  dicat  45

Syluester  utrum  deus  coniugia  maledixerit  .  Respondit  Syluester  :  nos  coniugia  bene-

dicta  dicimus  a  deo  .  lubal  dixit  :  et  quare  negatis  de  coniugio  natum  istum  :  quem

colitis  :  Syluester  respondit  :  nos  non  ideo  dicimus  uirginis  filium  Ghristum  :  ut

coniugium  condemnemus  :  sed  causas  uirginei  partus  rationabiliter  acceptamus  .

Tum  lubal  :  quas  causas  uirginis  parientis  ostendas  ignoro  .  unum  hoc  sentio  quod  50

ob  fuscanda  coniugia  laudem  uirginis  studes  .  Et  Syluester  :  non  offuscantur  sed

ornantur  hac  assertione  coniugia  :  quoniam  haec  uirgo  quae  Ghristum  peperit  de

coniugibus  nata  est  :  et  ita  se  sanctam  exhibuit  :  ut  digna  esset  dei  filium  uerbum

carnem  factum  concipere  :  qni+  perditum  saeculum  repararet  .  Ad  haec  lubal  dixit  :

quoniam  de  sola  uirginitate  plenius  satisfactum  est  :  superest  ut  ad  alia  transeamus  :  55

dicimus  enim  uaenundatione  discipuli  illum  traditum  :  tentum  :  illusum  :  expolia-

tum  :  II  coronatum  spinis  :  affixum  cruci  mortuum  et  sepultum  .  Respondit  Syluester  :

memor  esse  debes  iudaee  me  dixisse  dei  filium  passioni  subiici  poenitus  non  potuisse  :

524  SYLVESTER  [cclxxxviliir  –

sed  hominem  perfectum  lesum  nazarenum  :  quera  promiserat  deus  Abraae  dicens  :

quod  in  sa?mine  tuo  haeredditabunt  omnes  gentes  :  de  quo  etiam  promiserat  Dauid

deus  dicens  :  de  fructu  uentris  tui  ponam  super  sedem  meam  :  hunc  fuisse  temptatum

et  passum  :  temptatum  :  ut  diabolum  cum  omnibus  temptationibus  uinceret  :  passum

5  ut  uniuersas  passiones  subiiceret  :  mortuum  ut  mortis  imperium  subiugaret  .  Tum

lubal  dixit  :  ergo  sunt  duo  filii  dei  :  unus  quem  uirgo  peperit :  alter  quem  deus  omni-

potens  generauit  .  Et  Syluester  :  dei  fihus  unus  in  Christo  est  :  qui  sicut  uere  dei  est

filius  inuisibilis  :  ita  uisibiilis+  est  Ghristus  .  Est  erg-o  inuisibilis  hoc  :  quod  est  deus  :

et  est  uisibilis  istud  :  quod  homo  est  .   Perfectus  enim   deus  perfectum   hominem

10  induit  :  ut  perfectam  salutem  hominibus  exhiberet  .  Respondit  lubal  :  Et  quomodo

fieri  potest  :  ut  pateretur  homo  :  qui  assumptus  est  sine  passione  eius  :  qui  assum-

pserat  ?  Ait  Syluester  :  doceri  potest  aliquo  exemplo  :  ut  duo  in  uno  positi  unus

incurrat  iniuriam  :  alter  euadat  .  lubal  dixit  :  hoc  tu  mihi  nulla  ratione  ostendere

poteris  .  Ad  haec  Syluester  :  iudaico  animo  ageris  :  Idcirco  ante  quam  audias  non  tibi

15  posse  ostendi  a  me  asseris  :  quae  poUiceor  ostensurum  .  lubal  dixit  :  impossibile  hoc

mihi  ratio  humana  persuadet  :  in  uno  esse  duo  una  :  simul  subsistere  :  simul  teneri  :

simul  crucifigi  :  et  unum  sine  altero  passionis  istius  sustinuisse  iniuriam  .  Tum

Syluester  :  Cum  qualicumque  exemplo  rationis  humanai  hoc  ostendero  :  dicant  prae-

sentes  iudices  te  superatum  .  Constantinus  Augustus  dixit :  Etiam  si  non  uult  praebere

20  consensum  :  iudicandus  est  :  ut  consentiat  :  cum  ipse  duas  substantias  in  uno  positas

ostenderis  unam  sine  aha  sustinere  passionis  iniuriam  .  Et  Syluester  :  ut  praesens

purpura;  regis  utamur  exemplo  :  lana  fuit  :  et  huic  lanae  sanguis  accedens  colorem

purpureum  pra:;buit  .  Cum  neretur  digitis  :  et  torqueretur  in  filo  :  |  quid  torque-

batur  hoc  :  quod  regie  dignitatis  color  est  :   an  hoc  quod  lana  extiterat  antequam

25  purpura  fieret  ?  Non  utique  color  regia;  dignitatis  ornatus  sed  uilis  lana  :  quse  nascendo

extiterat  .  Quod  cum  ita  sit  :  constat  lanaj  assimulari^  hominem  :  et  purpurco  colori

assimulari+  deum  :  qui  simul  in  passione  simul  in  traditione  simul  fuit  dum  pateretur

in  cruce  :  sed  passioni  penitus  in  nullo  subiacuit  .  Constantinus  itaque  Augustus  cum

uniuersis  acclamantibus  asserit  exemplo  docuisse  Syluestrum  :  Decimus  extitit  Thara

30  phariseus  dicens  :  non  mihi  sufficit  istud  cxemplum  :  quia  simul  secatur  color  :  simul

etiam  torquetur  lana  :  cui  cum  pene  omnes  contradicerent  :  non  simul  quidem  sed

solam  lanam  passioni  subiacere  non  colorem  .  Respondit  Syluester  :  obsecro  uos  lilii

carissimi  date  silentium  :  ut  euidentius  exemplum  proferam  :  Cui  luda^us  contraire

non  possit  :  et  adiecit  :  audi  Thara  :  potest  fieri  :  ut  arbor  habens  in  se  splendorem

35  solis  possit  incidi  ?  Thara  dixit  :  potest  fieri  .  Tum  Syluester  :  Si  ergo  inciditur  :  non

uides  quia  ictum  ferientis  ferri  splendor  solis  excipit  priusquam  pertingat  ad  lignum  :

sed  splendor  cum  ibi  sit  :  non  potest  nec  incidi  nec  a  dolante  seperari  .  Sic  autem

diuinitas  nec  scperari  potuit  nec  incidi  .  Illud  autem  passioni  subiacuit  :  quod  sicut

signum+et  ligari  potuit  et  teneri  .  Tunc  uniuersus  etiam  simul  iudaeorum  populus  in

40  laudibus  sancLi  Sylueslri  acclamauit :  VA  cum  uellet  Augustus  linem  dare  certaminis  :

Syluester  episcojjus  ait  :  Sileon  et  Zambri  soli  remanserunt  :  quibus  si  negata  fuerit

copia  dicendi   aiiqua  :   uidebuntur  a  nobis  timore  contempti   .   \’ndecimus  ad  haec

^Sileon  respondit  bene  prtcuenire  facis  oppositionem  tibi  iure  obiiciendam  :  Et  ideo  si

de  Christo  uestro  prophetie  nostri  uaticinati  sunt  :  causam  slatutaj  ignominiae  irri-

45  sionis  tantas  passionis  et  morlis  eius  expone  :  ut  ipsum  esse  Christuni  qui  promissus

est  :  etiam  nobiscum  fatcamur  :  Ad  quem  Syluesler  iusta  inquisitio  sollicitos  audi-

tores  habere  dcsydcrat  :  Vndc  uolo  uos  omncs  tilii  carissimi  intentos  diligen  ||  ter

audire  .  Non  enim  tanlummodo  huic  interrogationi  salisfacturus  sum  :  sed  gcucraliter

omnium  salulis  causam  sum  tractaturus  .  Ab  inilio  itaque  stcculi  ex  quo  homo  de

50  paradisi  amoenitatc  est  proicctus  :  et  hic  in  conuallem  lacrimarum  et  dolorum  et

mortis  est  exilio  damnatus  :  de  lota  humani  generis  massa  Abraam  sanctus  et  fidclis

inuentus  est  .  hoc  adeo  promissum  mcruit  :  ut  in  steminc  cius  benediccrentur  onines

genles  .  Sic  enim  in  Eplalico  Icgitur  :  cum  diuideret  excelsus  genles  et  dispergeret

lilios  Adaj  :  statuit  deus  fincs  gentium  sccunduni  munerum+  angelorum  suorum  :  ct

55  facta  est  portio  domini  lacob  fuiiiculus  luureditatis  eius  Israel  :  et  adiecit  :  Ila  cst  ?

Sileon  dixit  :  Ita  est  .  Syluesler  episcopus  dixit :  Cum  crgo  solius  Abi\T  generationem

clegisset  :  per  meritum  fidei  eius  Abram  genuit  Isaac  :  et  Isaac  genuit  lacob  :  atquc

hi  tres  tam  fideliter  deo  seruierunt  :  ct  in  nuUo  culpabiles  extitcrunt  :  ila  ut  deus

–  CClxXXXr]  SYLVESTER  523

omnipotens  peculiari  dignatione  nomen  suum  in  his  nominari  uoluerit  dicens  :  ego

sum  deus  Abraam  et  deus  Isaac  et  deus  lacob  :  hoc  nomen  meum  est  memoriale  et

sempiternum  in  saeculum  saeculi  .  Extiterunt  sane  causaj  :  quas  nunc  memorare

longum  est  :  ut  filii  Abrate  deuenirent  in  terram  a;gipti  :  et  essent  sub  Propharaonis

imperio  .  Sed  memor  promissionis  suae  deus  eiecit  illos  inde  in  manu  forti  et  brachio  5

excelso  :  ita  ut  faceret  eos  siccis  pedibus  transire  per  medium  mare  :  et  ipsum  Pha-

raonem  in  conspectu  eorum  cum  omni  exercitu  suo  marinis  fluctibus  daret  .  Dehinc

dedit  eis  legem  per  sanctum  Moisen  sacrificiorum  idest  in  uitulis  :  in  tauris  :  in

ouibus  :  in  hcedis  in  capris  :  in  hircis  :  in  turturibus  et  in  columbis  .  Sed  ista  omnia

et  his  similia  diabolus  affectatus  eliam  suis  idolis  coaptauit  .  Vnde  factum  est  :  ut  10

nasceretur  ex  uirgine  :  ut  nos  renasceremur  ex  ecclesise  uirginis  utero  .  Esuriuit  :  ut

nos  reficeret  :  sitiuit  :  ut  auiditati  nostrag  uitalia  pocula  ministraret  .  Temptatus  est  :

ut  nos  a  temptationibus  diaboli  liberaret  .  tentus  est  ut  nos  dimitteret  a  cultura

da!monum  :  quae  nos  tenebat  .  ligatus  est  :  ut  nos  a  nodo  ma  |  ledictionis  absolueret :

Irrisus  est  :  ut  nos  ab  irrisione  daimonum  liberaret  :  humiliatus  est :  ut  nos  exaltaret :  15

Gaptus  est  ab  hominibus  :  ut  nos  a  captura  dajmonum  erueret  :  Expoliatus  est  :  ut

nuditalem  primae  prasuaricationis  non  ficorum  folliis  nec  pelliciis  tunicis  sed  indu-

mentis  candidis  indulgentije  tegeret  :  et  super  niuem  dealbatos  ac  mundos  a  peccato-

rum  sordibus  omnes  credentes  in  se  patri  suo  filios  adoptaret  .  Spineam  in  capite

coronam  accepit  :  ut  nos  a  maledictione  spinarum  et  tribulorum  eriperet  :  et  flores  20

paradisi  quos  nos  fecit  humana  pncsumptio  perdere  redonaret  .  Et  quoniam  ligno

concupiscentiae  detinebamur  addicti  :  lignum  crucis  Christus  accepit  :  ut  de  peccato

damnaret  peccatum  in  carne  .  Accepit  escam  fellis  et  aceti  poculum  :  ut  hominem  ad

terram  fluentem  lac  et  mel  introduceret  :  et  fontes  nobis  mellifluos  aperiret  .  Accepit

in  se  maledictionem  nostram  :  ut  super  nos  ipsos  benedictioncm  suam  efl”undetet+  :  et  25

nostram  a  nobis  maledicliouem+  auferret  :  Suscepit  in  se  mortalitatem  nostram  et

suam  nobis  uitam  simul  cum  cEternitate  restituit  .  Sepultus  est  :  ut  sepulturas  sancto-

rum  benediceret  .  Surrexit  :  ut  mortuis  uitam  redderet  .  Ascendit  in  caelos  :  ut

homini  non  soluni  paradisum  quem  amiserat  restitueret  :  uerum  etiam  et  caelorum

ianuam  aperiret  .  Sedet  nunc  ad  dexteram  patris  :  ut  precibus  credentium  annuat  .  30

Sed  ne  uerbis  currentibus  humana  tantum  ratione  patrocinari  uideretur  :  absque

aliquibus  pigmentis  uel  ha^rbis  ac  medicaminibus  cfeco  nato  de  luto  saliuae  sufe  reddi-

dit  uisum  :  ut  se  esse  ostenderet  :  qui  primum  hominem  de  limo  terrae  plasmauerat  :

caeco  nato  uisum  redidit  :  ut  quod  uisus  fuerat  non  dedisse  creando  :  miserando

donaret  .  Ideo  etiam  leprosos  mundauit  uerbo  :  omnibus  a;grimoniis  salutem  praebuit .  35

dajmonium  ex  obsessis  corporibus  expulit  .  Pedibus  deambulauit  maria  .  Imperauit

uentis  .  Tempestates  compescuit  :  et  uitam  mortuis  et  sepultis  oris  sui  redonauit

imperio  .  Quid  plura  edisseram  ?  uenturus  est  iudicare  uiuos  ||  et  mortuos  :  ut  reddat

unicuique  secundum  opera  sua  .  Ha^c  est  fides  nostra  :  quam  tenemus  et  pra^dicamus  :

et  credimus  .  Si  quid  tibi  o  iudaie  minus  dictum  putas  :  interroga  .  Ilccc  et  his  similia  40

dicente  papa  Svluestro  uniuersi  populi  simul  cum  regibus  et  cum  iudicibus  iuslis

laudibus  exclamabant  agentes  deo  gratias  :  qui  tantam  rationem  per  os  eius  auribus

eorum  dedisset  :  ut  nulla  dubietas  eorum  mentibus  de  Christi  omnipotentia  rema-

neret  .  His  auditis  Syleon  dixit  :  fateor  mihi  de  omnibus  satis  esse  factum  .  Nam

primus  sermo  tuus  et  medius  et  ultimus  ita  ratione  firmatus  est  :  ut  iam  olim  debuis-  45

semus  Christo  credere  .  Nam  nihil  nouum  agit  perfidia  nostra  :  quae  semper  probatur

contra  suam  utilitatem  egisse  .  Tunc  indignatus  Zambri  unus  ex  duodecim  uoce  clara

dixit  :  miror  uos  prudentissimos  iudices  uerborum  ambagibus  credere  :  et  dei  poten-

tiam  estimare  humana  ratione  concludi  .  Modo  uero  si  argumentis  humante  rationis

Syluester  exuperat  nos  :  relicturi  sumus  proprias  leges  :  et  secuturi  hominem  magum  50

illum  :  quem  parentes  nostri  ex  uno  damnauere  consensu  .  Sed  audiat  me  claemen-

tissimum  imperium  :  iubeat  produci  taurum  aliquem  ferocissimum  :  ut  ostendam

hodie  in  conspectu  eius  uirtutem  dei  omnipotentis  .  Nolo  enim  ego  cum  isto  uerbis

contendere  :  sed  aliquid  actibus  agere  :  et  ostendere  efficaciam  in  dei  nostri  nomine  :

quo  possit  ratio  humana  diuinis  uirtutibus  credere  :  et  quis  sit  uerus  deus  ipsis  indi-  55

ciis  edoceri  .  Si  enim  iste  hunc  deum  dicit  :  quem  crucifixum  non  negat  :  Cur  ergo

hunc  deum  non  asseram  :  qui  incomprsehensibilis  et  inenarrabilis  approbatur  ?  Et  cum

uellet  Augustus  taurum  ferocem  inquiri  :  extitit  Terrenius  illustris  :  qui  diceret  se

526  SYLVESTER  [cclxxxxr  –

non  longe  a  niuro  urbis  iuxta  habere  taurum  in  armento  fortissimum  :  qui  uix  possit

a  multis  coarctari  .  Tum  Syluester  episcopus  coepit  obsecrare  Augustum  et  omnes  :  qui

simul  aderant  :  ut  adduceretur  taurus  ille  ferocissimus  :  quem  cum  iussisset  Augustus

adduci  in  spatio  euntium  et  redemitum+  :  Syluester  episco  |  pus  cum  Zambri  huius  rei

5  altercationem  exercuit  :  Coepit  itaque  inquirere  ab  eo  ad  quos  usus  taurus  ille  fero-

cissimus  quasreretur  .  At  uero  Zambri  cum  esset  maleficus  dixit  :  quia  nomen  dei

nostri  nulla  uirtus  sufTerre  praeualet :  nam  seniores  nostri  cum  in  sacrificio  deo  tauros

feroces  offerrent  :  hoc  nomen  dei  magnum  in  aure  tauri  dicebant  :  statim  mugitum

gemitumque  reddentes  simul  etiam  spiritum  exhallabant  .  Nulla  enim  uirtus  sicut  dixi

10  hoc  audiens  nomen  uiuere  potest .  Ad  quem  Syluester  respondit  :  Et  tu  quomodo  hoc

nomen  non  audiens  didicisti  ?  Zambri  dixit  :  Ergo  putas  :  quod  audiendo  hoc  didici  :

quod  nulla  ratione  potest  humanus  :  uolucrum  pecudumque  sufferre  auditus  ?  Respon-

dit  Syluester  :  Vel  domino  rerum  Augusto  insinua  :  quo  ordine  hoc  nomen  sine  auditu

didiceris  .  Zambri  dixit  :  non  est  luum  hoc  nosse  mysterium  :  qui  ludaeorum  inimicus

15  es  .  Dicit  ei  Augustus  :  ergo  legendo  hoc  nomen  didicisti  ?  Respondit  Zambri  nam

cartha  non  membrana  non  bgna  non  lapides  hoc  nomen  possunt  habere  conscri-

ptum  :  statim  enim  et  qui  scribit  interit  :  et  ubi  scriptum  fuerit  :  dissoluetur  .  Dicit

ei  Augustus  :  Dic  ergo  simpliciter  tu  hoc  nomen  quemadmodum  didicisti  ?  Zambri

dixit  septem  diebus  ieiuniis  uacaui  :  post  haec  in  conca  argentea  noua  in  qua  nullus

20  usus  extitit  missa  est  aqua  de  fonte  .  Et  cum  esset  plena  benedicta  est  :  post  hadc  in

aqua  ipsa  digito  fiunt  litterae  :  quae  nomen  domini  erudiant  tacentis  animum  :  Tunc

ab  hora  prima  diei  usque  ad  uesperum  scripsisse  in  aqua  recolo  :  et  uix  illud  potui

climate+  in  secreto  pectoris  mei  retinere  :  quid  ergo  opus  est  uerbis  et  contentionibus

fraena  laxare  :  et  ire   per  campos  sermonum   et  alia   atque  alia  dicere  et  audire  .

25  Haec  et  his  similia  multa  cum  Zambri  repeteret  :  ecce  taurus  ferocissimus  a  multis

militibus  praesenlatus  est  uinctus  funibus  a  capite  et  a  tergo  .  Tunc  Zanibri  insultans

beato  Syluestro  hic  tua  uerba  et  argumenta  tuorum  sermonum  finem  inuenient  .  Aut

dic  nomen  dei  tui  in  aure  tauri  :  et  probaris  omnipotentem  colere  :  aut  ||  ego  dicam  :

ut  omnes  nostrae  relligioni  concordent .  Tunc  pene  conturbati  sunt  omnes  fidei  nostraj

30  fautores  .  At  Syluester  intrepidus  stabat  :  et  laetus  dicens  :  maiora  cerlamina  daemo-

num  maioribus  diuinisque  auxiliis  superantur  .  Attamen  quia  initia  erant  credentium  :

necesse  erat  :  ut  tenuis  lides  tempestate  temptalionum  urgeretur  .  Consenserunt

tamen  omnes  simul  ut  diceret  hoc  nomen  in  aure  tauri  :  et  hoc  quod  Zambri  promisit

probaretur  .  At  ubi  abiit  Zambri  :  et  dixit  in  aure  tauri  :  statim  miser  factus  dedit

35  mugitum  :  et  uiolentissime  eiectis  oculis  expirauit  .  Tunc  omnes  ludaei  insultatione

surrexerunt  Syluestri  :  et  pars  aliqua  illorum  nostrorum  partem  ca^pit  arguere  :  et

fuit  ista  tumultuatio  per  duarum  fere  horarum  spatia  .  Fixus  itaque  orationi  Syluester

a  domino  lesu  christo  petebat  auxilium  .  Tunc  rogabat  Augustum  :  ut  populo  impe-

raret  silentium  :  quod  cum  fuisset  effectum  :  ascendens  in  eminentiora  loca  uoce  clara

40  ait  :  audite  principes  et  intelligite  potentes  :  et  agnoscat  omnis  populus  romanus  .

Dominus  lesus  christus  quem  ego  praedico  caecos  illuminauit  :  surdis  auditum  reddi-

dit  :  mutis  recuperauit  sermonis  officium  :  manus  aridas  restaurauit  :  claudicantibus

gressum  restituit  :  leprosos  mundauit  :  paralylicos  curauit  :  mortuos  in  suo  nomine

suscitauit  .  Vnde  apparet  hoc  nomen  diaboli  esse  non  dei  :  quod  taurum  occidit  :  si

45  occisum  resuscitare  non  potuerit  .  Est  enim  uite  et  salutis  humanie  inimicus  qui

uiuum  mortificare  praeualuit  :  cum  mortuum  suscitare  non  possit  .  Nam  deus  queni

ego  praidico  non  solum  uiuentes  mortificat  :  sed  et  mortuos  uiuificat  .  occidere  autem

uiuentem  et  mortuum  uiuilicare  non  posse  :  et  serpentes  possunt  facere  et  leones  et

ursi  et  latrones  et  omnes  bestias  ferociores  .  Tamen  si  uult  :  ut  non  credamus  hoc

50  nomen  daemonis  alicuius  fuisse  :  quod  dixit  :  dicat  modo  mortuo  illud  nomen  :  el

suscitet  eum  .  Quod  si  occidere  potest  :  et  uiuificare  non  potest  :  constat  eum  nomen

dajmonis  nominasse  :  qui  uiuentem.  occidere  potest  :  mortuum  uiuilicare  non  potest  .  |

Tunc  Zambri  scidit  uestimenta  sua  :  et  dixit  :  Domine  cUementissime  imperator  sem-

per  Auguste  Syluestrum  hunc  quem  in  uerbis  superare  nemo  pra;ualuit  :  ego  hunc  in

55  dei  omnipotentis  nomine  superaui  .  lustum  est  :  ut  non  detur  ei  potestas  loquendi  :

quia  noua  et  acriora  quae  contra  deum  loquatur  adinueniet  :  et  grauat  uerbositas  eius

regnum  uestrum  :  Cui  Syluester  ait  :  audi  iuda?e  de  tuis  assertionibus  ucritatem  .  In

deutei’onomio  ipse  deus  loquitur  dicens  :  uidete  uidete  :  quoaiam  ego  sum  deus  :  et

–  cclxxxxr]  SYLVESTER  527

non  est  alius  praeter  me  .  Ego  occidam  :  et  uiuere  faciam  .  percutiam  :  et  ego  sanabo  .

Cum  ergo  inuocatus  fuerit  :  opportune  occidit  :  opportune  etiam  uiuificat  .  Tunc

Zambri  ait  :  non  tibi  dixi  domine  claementissime  imperator  semper  Auguste  :  quia  in

uerbis  Syluestrum  nemo  superat  :  nunc  dignare  ei  iubere  :  ut  aliquid  non  loquendo

sed  faciendo  declaret  .  Tunc  Zenophilus  et  Craton  iudices  simul  cum  Augusto  urge-  5

bant  Zambri  :  ut  suscitaret  taurum  :  quem  ad  nominis  inuocationem  occiderat  .

Cumque  reluctaretur  :  et  se  diceret  illum  penitus  suscitare  non  posse  :  dicunt  ei  :

Constat  secundum  testimonium  Syluestri  daemonis  te  inuocasse  nomen  :  quod  ad

occidendum  praeualuit  :  ad  suscitandum  praeualere  non  potest  .  Ad  haec  Zambri  dice-

bat  :  diuina;  uirtutis  nomen  tanti  ponderis  esse  ut  penitus  ferri  non  possit  .  Cui  lo

Syluester  insistens  opponebat  nos  dominum  lesum  memorauimus  hinc  probatum  dei

fdium  mentibus  hominum  claruisse  :  quia  infirmantibus  salutem  caecis  lumen  et  uitam

mortuis  contulisset  .  Tu  per  istum  :  cuius  nominis  inuocatione  uiuentem  mortificare

potuisti  :  mortuum  suscitare  non  potes  ?  Respondit  Zambri  :  Ignoras  decem  plagis

ffigyptum  inuocatione  huius  nominis  caesum  :  et  omnia  primitiua  aegypti  ab  homine  15

usque  ad  pecus  subito  mortua  ?  Ad  quem  Syluester  et  tu  ignoras  hoc  esse  scriptum  :

dominus  morlificat  :  et  uiuificat  :  deducit  acl  inferos  :  et  reducit  .  Tunc  ista  audientes

Zenophilus  et  Craton  iudices  dixerunt  :  Constat  superatum  Zambri  :  si  non  potuerit

per  inuocationem  huius  nominis  suscita  ||  re  taurum  morluum  :  cuius  nominis  inuo-

cationc+  uiuentem  occidit  .  Zambri  dixit  :  Suscitet  hunc  Syluester  inuocato  illo  gallileo  20

lesu  Nazareno  :  ut  assertorem  deitatis  eius  nos  recipere  ualeamus  .  Ad  ha^c  Syluester

respoiidit  :  uis  ergo  ;  ut  ego  suscitem  in  inuocatione  domini  mei  lesu  christi  hunc

taurum  .  Zambri  dixit  :  Ista  tu  non  facies  :  etiam  si  pennis  uolare  possis  .  Constan-

tinus  Augustus  dixit  :  miror  importunitalem  tuam  :  tu  dixisti  cessent  uerba  :  factis

aliqua  osLendat  .  hic  hoc  se  facere  promittit  :  quod  tu  penitus  ut  asseris  implere  non  25

poteris  :  Vnde  patet  :  ut  fatearis  hunc  uerum  deum  esse  :  qui  mortuum  suscitare

potuerit  .  Illum  autem  diabolum  :  qui  occidere  potest  :  et  uiuificare  non  potest  .  Tunc

Zambri  se  denotari  coepit  :  et  per  salutem  Augusti  asserere  :  quod  si  Syluester  taurum

illum  a  morle  erigeret  :  omnes  iudaicam  legem  dimitterent  :  et  christianae  relligioni

se  traderent  :  Qua  promissione  audita  Syluester  episcopus  Cratoni  et  Zenophilo  iudi-  30

cibus  dixit  :  peto  uos  iudices  :  qui  cuncta  iusta  moderamini  :  interrogate  cffiteros

iudajos  :  qui  nobiscum  iniere  conflictum  :  si  huic  sententiae  praebeant  sui  cordis  assen-

sum  :  ut  cunctis  pateat  suscitato  tauro  nihil  dubii  de  lesu  nomine  remansisse  .  Zeno-

philus  et  Craton  dixerunt  :  singilatim  edicant  iudaicae  assertionis  auctores  :  utrum

ratum  ferant  hoc  :  quod  ultima  inuenit  post  omnium  contentioncs  sententia  .  Abiathar  35

dixit  :  consensus  nosler  pra^sto  erit  :  si  auditu  probauerimus  istum  in  nomine  lesu

surrexisse  .  lonas  dixit  quicquid  supra  hunc  taurum  dixerit  Syluester  audiamus  :  ut

possimus  nosse  :  quod  illius  qui  crucifixus  est  inuocauerit  nomen  .  Codolias+  dixit  :

si  illum  quem  parentes  nostri  reum  mortis  inclamauerunt  inuocauerit  :  et  surrexerit

hic  taurus  diuino  nomine  interfectus  :  sine  dubio  manus  dabo  assertionibus  Sylueslri  .  40

Aunan  dixit  :  sicut  non  possunt  dies  nostri  a  recto  itinere  deuiare  :  sic  nec  taurus

iste  poterit  resurgere  :  Tamen  quia  in  eo  est  conclusa  sententia  :  ut  si  in  nomine  lesu

crucifixi  assurrexerit  :  tribuamus  assensum  :  |  si  hoc  factum  fuerit  :  nequaquam  ego

contradictor  existam  .  Doech  dixit  :  miror  homines  prudentes  ad  tantam  insipientiam

deuolutos  :  ut  credant  hunc  taurum  diuino  nomine  mortuum  aliquatenus  suscitari  .  45

Hic  si  etiam  sicut  iacet  mouere  se  potuerit  in  lesu  nomine  omnem  ambiguitatem

abiiciam  :  et  hoc  quod  Syluester  praedicat  credam  .  Chusi  dixit  securius  me  spondeo

crediturum  :  quia  noui  taurum  ad  inuocationem  nominis  lesu  suscitari  non  posse  .

Beniamin  dixit  :  nunquid  non  risum  mentibus  aspectantium  :  qui  uident  taurum  ocu-

lis  egressis  de  loco  suo  iacentem  totum  tumidum  et  mortuum  :  ut  hunc  credamus  ad  50

inuocationem  hominis  crucifixi  posse  resurgere  ?  Tamen  quia  hoc  iudicibus  placet  :

si  factum  fuerit  :  dabo  consensum  .  Arohel  dixit  prosecutio  Beniamin  meo  ore  dicta

est  :  et  ideo  suscitato  tauro  consentaneum  christiano  defensori  polliceor  :  et  credam

deum  esse  .  Sileon  dixit  :  et  ego  polliceor  me  a  ludaismo  recedere  :  et  Christo  cre-

dere  :  si  Syluester  istum  taurum  uel  uno  die  uiuere  fecerit  .  Thara  dixit  :  sicut  magna  55

daementia  est  credere  istum  taurum  suscitari  posse  :  sic  magna  imperitia  est  :  ut  pro-

mittam  me  a  lege  mea  discedere  :  Et  quia  utrumque  fieri  non  potest  :  securus  polli-

ceor  :  quod  suscitato  tauro  a  Syluestro  :  christianus  efficiar  .  lubal  dixit  :  quantum-

528  SYLVESTER  [cclxxxxir  –

cumcjue  promissio  noslra  gestis  teneatur  ascripta  :  nec  taurum  resurgentem  nec  me

Chrislo  credentem  uidebitis  :  tamen  ne  uideamur  suscitare  uolentem  Syluestrum

impedire  :  omnes  profitemur  christianos  fieri  :  si  hic  inuocato  Christi  sui  nomine

istum  suscitauerit  taurum  .  Zenophilus  et  Craton  dixerunt  :  ecce  omnium  iudaeorum

5  sententia  :  qui  ad  conuincendum  Syluestrum  hactenus  contraxere  conflictum  :  in  ea

definitione  peruenit  :  ut  si  a  Syluestro  inuocato  nomine  lesu  hic  surrexerit  taurus  .

Syluestri  defensio  uictoriae  sortiatur  effectum  :  et  se  a  iudaismo  illico  auferant  .  Quid

nunc  Syluester  facturus  sit  :  uideamus  .  Tunc  beatus  Syluester  imperato  silentio  dixit :

Audite  fratres  et  fihi  quibus  deus  tribuit  intellectum  :  de  bobus  ||  deo  curam  non  esse

10  pro  certo  didicimus  :  Sed  quia  tempus  exigit  ut  dignetur  :  salutis  omnium  causa  huius

rei  curam  habere  propitius  :  sequestrent  se  ab  infidelibus  fideles  et  increduli  a  cre-

dentibus  :  ut  nos  omnes  qui  credimus  Christo  in  una  parte  stantes  flectamus  g-enua

domino  omnes  unanimiter  postulantes  :  ut  dignetur  petitionibus  nostris  annuere  :  et

dominum  nostrum  lesum  christum  suum  esse  lilium  demonstrare  .  Ad  hanc  uocem

15  segregati  sunt  omnes  increduli  a  credentibus  :  et  facta  est  oratio  per  unam  fere

horam  :  ita  ut  non  esset  inter  eos  :  qui  non  flens  deum  exoraret  .  Ridentibus  autem

inter  se  iudaeis  et  insultantibus  :  dicebant  modo  apparebit  Christus  uester  .  Tunc

Syluester  episcopus  expandit  manus  suas  ad  dominum  et  dixit  :  Deus  Abraam  .  Deus

Isaac  et  deus  lacob  qui  trina  inuocatione  in  his  tribus  patriarchis  ideo  te  inuocari

20  uoluisti  :  ut  manifestaretur  nobis  per  dominum  nostrum  lesum  Christum  :  quod  in

trinitate  pater  cum  filio  et  spiritusancto  unus  sis  deus  uerus  pater  uerum  filium  habens

ex  te  genitum  uerum  spiritumsanctum  ex  utroque  procedentem  :  una  deitas  in  trini-

tate  :  una  trinitas  in  unitate  subsistens  :  nihil  minus  uni  :  nihil  maius  alteri  :  Es  enim

idem  :  qui  semper  deus  :  qui  mundum  ex  nihilo  fecisti  per  uerbum  tuum  idest  per

25  filium  tuum  :  qui  dignatus  est  formam  nostrai  seruitutis  arripere  :  et  hominem  per-

fectum  deus  perfectus  assumere  :  ut  in  uno  deus  et  homo  homnibus^  credentibus

subueniret  :  qui  uirgineo  partu  editus  stella  indice  demonstratus  es  magis  :  et  pasto-

ribus  ostensus  ab  angeHs  in  praisepio  positus  :  rex  cajlestis  in  terris  humilis  in  terris

ostensus  es  :  omnia  propter  nos  temptationum  genera  superasti  :  ut  nos  a  temptatio-

30  nibus  dsemonum  eriperes  :  et  ad  gloriam  paradisi  reuocares  .  Atque  ideo  filius  homi-

nis  factus  es  :  ut  nos  dei  filios  faceres  atque  aeternoe  uitae  consortes  .  Te  itaque  inuoco

lesum  nazarenum  crucifixum  magnae  resurrectionis  auctorem  :  qui  ideo  mori  uoluisti  :

ut  mortis  imperium  resurgens  a  mortuis  deuicta  morte  captiuares  et  uitae  asternae

aperires  introitum  .  Ego  no  |  men  tuum  uoce  publica  confiteor  :  ut  sciat  omnis  iste

35  populus  :  quoniam  taurus  iste  qui  dictione  nominis  diaboli  occisus  est  :  sancti  tui

nominis  inuocatione  reuiuiscat  :  Et  ideo  audi  me  seruum  tuum  :  ut  excitetur  iste

taurus  ab  omnipotenti  dextera  tua  :  et  cum  omni  mansuetudine  surgens  quasi  agnus

ad  gregem  suum  cum  omni  lenitate  perueniat  :  ut  cognoscant  praesentes  omnes  :  quia

tu  es  dei  filius  :  qui  in  hunc  mundum  uenisti  .  Et  iia»c  dicens  sanclus  Syluester  incli-

40  nauit  se  ad  aurem  in  qua  nomen  nescio  quod  dixerat  Zambri  :  et  dixit  :  nomen  male-

dictionis  et  mortis  sicut  intrasti  in  aure  huius  tauri  :  ita  egredere  iussu  domini  nostri

;>  lesu  christi  Nazareni  crucifixi  :  in  cuius  nomine  dicilur  tibi  :  Taure  surge  :  Et  cum  h.ec

dixisset :  recuperato  flatu  laurus  surrexit  cum  omni  mansuetudine  :  cuius  uincula  manu

sua  sanctus  Syluester  soluit  dicens  :  uade  cum   omni   mansuetudine  ad  armentum

45  tuum  :  unde  adductus  es  :  nullum  kcdens  :  a  nullo  enim  laedi  poteris  nec  occidi  :

fecitque  ei  fieri  spatium  :  et  dimisit  euntem  cum  omni  mansuetudine  .  Slalimque

omnes  iudtei  pedibus  beati  Syluestri  prouoluti  fatentes  se  Christo  credere  precaban-

tur  :  ut  pro  eis  oraret  :  ne  quid  eis  adueniret  aduersi  .  Ipsa  quoque  Helena  Augusla

publicis  aspeclibus  abiectis  aureis  uestibusin  conspectu  omnium  genua  sancti«Syluestri

50  deosculans  rogabat  sibi  locum  poenitentia?  dari  .  xMoxque  omnis  populus  simul  cum

Augusto  ac  iudicibus  cunctisque  iudaeis  una  uoce  per  Iria  horarum  spatia  chunauerunt

dicentes  :  uerus  deus  et  uerus  dei  filius  Dominus  lesus  christus  .  Eo  die  amplius

quam  tria  millia  iudttorum  conuersi  sunt  ad  fidem  Christi  .  Ipsaque  Ilelena  Augusta

cum  omnibus  filiis  ac  filiabus  suis  credidit  Christo  :  omnesque  simul  cubicularii  cre-

55  diderunt  :  sed  et  ipsi  iudices  Zenophilus  el  Cralon  :  omnesque  amici  eorum  lesum

Christum  filium  dei  uerum  deum  csse  crediderunt  .  Omnes  autem  dato  nomine  :  quia

inter  initia  Martii  mensis  haec  gesta  fuerant  :  in  die  sancto  pasce  sacro  renati  sunt

baptismate  :  et  glorificabant  |1  dominum  lesum  christuni  gratias  ageutes  deo  manenti

–  CClxxxxir]  SYLVESTER  529

in  trinitate  quod  per  Syluestrum  papam  eos  sua  miseratione  ab  errore  liberasset  :  et

salutis  suae  uiam  absque  dubietate  inuenire  fecisset :  Omnesque  sanctum  dei  Antistitem

ab  illa  die  unanimiter  excolebant  :  et  non  solum  in  urbe  Roma  sed  et  in  totis  finibus

romanae  urbis  fides  catholica  per  assertionem  fidei  eius  et  uirtutes  operum  perpetuam

obtinuit  palmam  .  Transactis  aliquot  diebus  pontifices  uniuersi  qui  fuerant  templorum     5

huiusmodi  suggestionem  Augusto  Constantino  fecerunl  dicentes  :  Sacratissime  impe-

rator  semper  Auguste   populus   uester  romanus   draconis    inuictissimi   periclitantur

afflatu  .  Solebant  enim  uirgines  sacrosanctae  deae  uestraj  per  omnem  calendarum  diem

habere  ad  eum  descensum  :  et  cibos  ei  similaginis  ministrare  .  Ex  quo  autem  pietas

uestra  legem  christianam  accepit  :  huic  nibil+  fertur  :  Ideoque  indignatus.  quottidie  10

llatu  suo  populum  uexat .  Tunc  Imperator  Constantinus  consuluit  sanctum  Syluestrum

interrogans  si  opportet  :  ut  more  solito  esca  daretur  draconi  :  et  illa  sacra  cerimonia

exhiberetur  .  Gui  respondens  sanctus  Syluester  dixit  :  Si  quis  militum  tuorum  ad  ini-

mici  tui  tyramni  legem  aliquam  fieri  contra  iura  tua  permittat  :  nunquidnam  simu-

latio  hajc  :  quia  ipse  quidem  non  facit  :  alterum  autem  non  prohibeat  :  quid  de  hoc  15

iudicabis?  Respondens  autem  Imperator  :  aut  gladio  aut  incendio  interibit  .  Dicit  ei

Syluester  episcopus  :  hanc  poenam  apud  regem  caelestem  incurrit  qui  permittit  contra

eius  uoluntatem  impleri  .  Calfurnius  autem  urbis  preefectus  cum  simul  esset  cum

principe  :  quando  haec  Syluester  asserebat  :  et  adhuc  esset  gentilis  :  ait  :  per  claemen-

tiam  uestram  sacratissime  imperator  :  quoniam  per  singulos  dies  moriuntur  amplius  20

quam  sex  millia  homines  promiscui  sexus  et  aetatis  :  et  non  est  aliud  remedii  genus

nisi  ut  placetur  :  et  hoc  oportet  ut  semel  iratus  de  contemptu  nostro  ualeat  aliqua-

tenus  ampliatis  muneribus  complacari  .  Respondens  sanctus  Syluester  ait  :  ostende

mihi  ex  iis  qui  moriuntur  uel  unum  qua  |  lemcumque  uitimum  christianum  .  Calphur-

nius  dixit  :  ergo  si  christianos  non  inuadit  :  descende  ad  eum  tu  :  et  fac  illum  in  25

nomine  dei  tui  uel  uno  anno  ab  interfectione  generis  humani  Cessare  :  ut  credamus

Christum   tuum   diuinitatis  habere   uirtutem  .  Cui   sanctus  Syluester  ait  :  Christus

quidem  meus  diuinitatis  uirtute  plenus  ostendere  dignabitur  in  hac  parte  uirtutem

suam  .  Sed  dura  corda  uestra  alia  sibi  adinuenient  :  quae  possint  contraria  et  inimica

uestris  utilitatibus  esse  .  Dicit  ei  Calphurnius  :  fac  sicut  dixi  :  ut  uno  anno  cesset  :   30

et  credimus  in  Christum  quem  praedicas  .  Tunc  beatus  Syluester  constanter  dixit  :

Audi    me    claementissime   princeps   :   iube   in   prwsenti    adesse    uniuersos    pontifices

incredulos   crastina  die  cum   prefecto   Calphurnio   :    ut  quod  solus  hic  pollicetur  :

simul    quoque    etiam    illi   promittant  .    Cumque    altera    die    adessent  omnes   ponti-

fices  cum  Calphurnio  :  promiserunt  in  conspectu  Augusti  :  omnes  se  Christo  credi-  35

turos  :  si  Syluester  egisset  :  ut  uel  uno  anno  draco  ab  hominum  laesione  cessaret  .

Tunc  sanctus  Syluester  conuocatis  omnibus  sanctis  ac  spiritualibus  uiris  praedicauit

triduanum  omni  ecclesiae  ieiunium  et  orationis  instantiam  :   ut  dignaretur  dominus

lesus  christus  saluti   hominum  consulere   et   sui   nominis  potentiam   demonstrare   .

Tertia  itaque  die  expleto+  constituti  ieiunii  :  uidit  Syluester  episcopus  beatum  Petrum   40

apostolum  in  uisione  talia  sibi  monita  proferentem  :  assume  tecum  Theodorum  et

Dionisyum+et  Felicissimum  presbyteros  et  Honoratum  et  Romanum  diaconos  :  cum

ipsis  tantum  descende  :  solo  Christi  sacramento  refecli  descendite  :  Non  timeas  :

neque  trepidum  sit  cor  tuum  :  sed  cojifidens  in  deum  accede  ad  draconem  :  in  quo

habitat  Sathanas  :  et  dic  ei  :  lesus  christus  dominus  natus  de  spirilusancto  et  Maria   45

uirgine  crucifixus  et  sepultus  resurrexit  et  ascendit  in  caelos  :  sedet  nunc  ad  dexteram

patris  :  Hic  uenturus  est  iudicare  uiuos  el  mortuos  .  expecta  eum  fixus  in  isto  loco  :

dum  ueniat  :  Et  cum  hoc  dixeris  appnehende  eum  :  et  liga  os  eius  lino  canabineo

torto  triplici  :  |1  quod  tecum  portabis  et  super  ceram  imponens  :  et  signabis  annulo

qui  signum  crucis  habebit  sculptum   .   Post  haec   assume   cathenam   ferream   quam   50

cleportabis  tecum  :  et  appraihensas  portas  a^reas  quas  ibi  inuenies  habentes  circulos  :

adduces  eas  ad  te  :  et  in  circulis  earum  induces  cathenam  :  et  cum  clauseris  dices  .

Haec  dicit  apostolus  Christi  Petrus  :  Istaj  ianuae  non  aperientur  nisi  in  die  iudicii  :

clauem  uero  cathenae  ubi  uolucris+  subterrabis  :  Et  ascendens  inde  uenies  ad  me  aperta

confessione  mea  :  inuenies  ibi  panem  a  me  tibi  preparatum  :  de  ipso  te  reficiens  cum  55

omnibus  cum  quibus  fueris  introgressus  :  statimque  omne  uenenum  abiicies  a  te  et

iilis  :  et  saluum  te  et  illos  christiano  principi  simul  et  populo  praesentabis  .  Descen-

dente  autem  sancto  Syluestro  omnes  christiani  per  ecclesias  llaetibus  incumbebant  de

II.  —  34

530  SYLVESTER  [cclxxxxli^  –

ceelo  petentes  auxilium  .  Ponlifices  autem  templorum  miserunt  cum  eo  Porphyrium

et  Torquatum  magos  dicentes  :  isti  a  longe  sequantur  ut  nuncient  nobis  te  peruenisse

acl  draconem  .  Orans  descendebat  beatus  Syluester  cum  memoratis  presbyteris  et

diaconibus  per  gradus  centum  quinquaginta  .  Porphyrius  autem  et  Torquatus  sacrifi-

5  cantes  et  inuocantes  dtemonia  descendebant  post  eos  .  At  ubi  peruenerunt  ad  flatum

draconis  ;  compra;hendit  Porphyrium  et  Torquatum  angustia  et  ceciderunt  .  Sanctus

Syluester  cum  presbyteris  ac  diaconibus  suis  intrauit  ad  draconem  et  dixit  omnia  quse

supra  dicta  sunt  :  Et  ligauit  os  eius  et  signauit  cera  et  egrediens  clausit  ianuas  aereas  :

impleuitque  omnia  quae  fuerant  a  sancto  apostolo  pronunciata  .  Veniens  autem  ad

10  Porphyrium  et  Torquatum  Syluesler  episcopus  inuenit  eos  uolutantes  in  terra  pras

nimia  angusta^^  :  et  facta  oratione  eleuauit  eos  et  secum  eduxit  :  qui  mox  ut  ascende-

runt  sani  cursu  rapidissimo  pergentes  detulerunt  codices  maleticiorum  suorum  et

proiicientes  eos  ad  pedes  sancti  Syluestri  coram  omni  populo  et  coram  cunctis  ponti-

ficibus  incendio  eos  consumpserunt  dicentes  :  sic  incendantur  et  sic  ardeant  qui  non

15  credunt  in  Ghristum  dei  fi  |  lium  :  quem  Syluester  prasdicat  .  Transacto  autem  uno

anno  omnes  ministri  draconis  probantes  apud  se  :  quod  uere  superatus  csset+  draco  et

clausus  :  prosternentes  se  pedibus  sancti  Syluestri  omnes  crediderunt  in  Chrislo  :

Sicque  factum  est  :  ut  populus  romanus  a  duplici  morte  liberaretur  idest  a  cultura

draconis  et  a  ueneno  eius  .  In  ipso  autem  anno  baptizati  sunt  triginta  milla^  uirorum

20  exceptis  paruulis  et  mulieribus  :  et  nullus  penitus  draconis  flatus  apparuit  ex  illa  die

et  deinceps  .  Constantinus  autem  Imperator  hanc  legem  proponi  iussit  per  omnes

amplissimas  ciuitates  .  titulus  Constantini  Augusli  omni  orbe  roniano  cunctis  urbium

ciuibus  salus  .  Ad  culturam  summi  dei  lardius  uos  difrerentes  accedere  :  non  paruo

animi  dolore  errorem  uestrae  prauilatis  ammiror  :  praiserfim  cum  uideamur  homines

25  aetate  et  temporali  condicione  mortales  :  et  sic  in  uita^  incrementa  facile  consurgimus  :

ut  iinem  nostrum  in  toto  minime  prouideamus  .  Neque  uerum  deum  aut  iusto  timore

reueremur  aut  debita  relligione  colimus  :  non  solum  actuum  testem  sed  etiam  pecto-

rum  secreta  cernentem  .  Ipse  etiam  nobis  spiritum  uitcc  inseruit  quem  uniuersa  aetas

humana  reueretur  Ipse  dcus  unus  ac  sohis  est  sine  ullius  consortio  potestatis  :  qui  in

30  trinitatis  unilate  fotius  muudi  gubernat  imperium  supra  omnem  magnitudinem  :  qua

po.ssit  humaua  cslimatio  compra^hendere  inuisibilis  et  omnipotens  ipse  in  propria

potcstate  consistons  :  nec  humanis  uisibus  aspicitur  :  Ipse  tamen  cuncta  prospiciens  :

uniuersitatemque  rerum  in  semetipso  tenens  :  ex  qua  omnium  natura  originem  duxit  :

Ncc  mirum  est  :  corpus  noslrum  ex  ossibus  et  carne  concretum  in  contemplalione  dei

35  aciem  oculorum  ferre  non  posse  in  caelestem  et  uerum  ielernitatis  auctorem  condilo-

remque  mundi  totiusque  reclorem  :  Cum  nec  in  solis  quidem  radios  dirigcre  non

possit  obtutum  :  cum  slalim  inbecilitatem  illam  fragilitalis  humana:’  splendor  solis

tractet  et  a  facultato  intucndtc  ueritatis  auferat  .  Igitur  conuenit  nos  malignas  cogita-

tioiies  infandumquc  uirus  rcspuere  derelinquen  |1  tes  tenebrosi  ilineris  ca^citalem  et

40  oius  gloriam  laudcquet  casla  uoce  celcbrare  .  Oportet  cnim  nos  salubri  gradu  pcr

planum  ac  lucidum  iler  incedcrc  alque  ab  errore  desistentcs  dirigamus  ordinem

nostrum  uiuacissime  ad  ea  quae  sunt  meliora  et  utiliora  :  pra?sertim  :  hic  cursus  sit

illustrior  alque  prccclarior  :  quem  lanta  diuinilas  monstrat  :  quam  ille  qui  caliginom

infcrre  cuncto  humano  gcneri  nititur  :  ut  a  uerbo  dei  animum  lollat  .  VA  ideo  indo-

45  fesso  cursu  seruiamus  deo  omnipotonti  creatori  et  redemplori  nostro  :  legemque  quam

Iribuil  (CMoamus  :  Kt  onim  sunimus  :  cui  uniuorsa  succumbunl  :  apud  cuins  clafmon-

tiam  uita  jierpotua  ot  a^lerna  lux  est  :  Illisque  flidciorom  cirudil  graliam  qui  se  tanla^

maiestatis  cullui  dedicanerint  .  Illi  soli  oporlot  nos  colla  submittcrc  .  .Abiiciendus  ost

igitur  error  :  et  ad  id  propositum   recurrendum  quod  nos  possit  ad  ailernam  lucis

50  pcrducere  claritatem  .  Nam  qui  uerum  deum  pura  mento  uenerantur  tieternam  uilam

ac  j)erpetuam  caslestemque  sortientur  dulcedinem  .  Hanc  igitur  ogo  Constantinus

Auguslus  relligiosus  mentis  atroclu  cunctis  hominibus  sancti  sermouis  conscriptionom

crodidi  declarandam  :  ut  qui  pator  jialriu’  diuinitus  morui  nuncnpari  Ipse  quo(|uo

diuino  piotati  debitum  cultum  relligiosa  monto  ofliciam  .  Inlondamus  itaciuo  ad  unicam

55  omnipofeulis  dei  gloriam  :  exoromus  immorfalom  doum  mihi  ot  omnibus  imporantem  .

Hac  enim  ratione  bella  internicioMcstpic  ab  hominibus  sodabunlur  :  noc  amplius  quis

gladiis  dimicabit  :  aul  ccrtc  nccessitatom  famis  suslinobit  .  Dous  onim  summus  piissi-

mus  et  relligiosissimus  meritis  prouocatus  dabit  iiobis  propitiatus  inleix^edeute  domino

Acts of Sylvester English

(discourse on Jews and fight with dragon are poorly translated)

Our historian Eusebius, the bishop of the city of Caesarea in Palestine, when he wrote the ecclesiastical history, omitted those things which are found in other works or which he himself alleged to have written. For he made twenty books, that is, two decades, covering the passion of almost all the provinces, including the martyrs, bishops, confessors, sacred virgins, and women. Then, following the example of the apostle Peter, he wrote down the names and deeds of all the bishops, as well as the cities that are known to hold the highest seat of the pontificate through apostolic thrones, such as Rome, Antioch, Jerusalem, Ephesus, and Alexandria. He wrote down the names and deeds of all the bishops of these cities up to his time in the Greek language. From this list, one of the bishops of the city of Rome, Saint Sylvester, you have commanded me to translate from Greek into Latin, O holy and most blessed father. Since I consider myself insufficient for this translation, I have chosen to disclose this, for I am a man of little speech and sluggish intellect. Therefore, I beseech you to ask for me through your prayers, that I may not incur the fault of a contemptuous presumer, but rather, through your prayers, I trust I will obtain pardon. I believe that, as you commanded, it will be fulfilled.

Sylvester, the bishop of the city of Rome, when he was a little child, was entrusted by his widowed mother, both by name and by work, to be educated by the priest Gyrinus, to whom he daily performed diligent service. Moreover, imitating his life and morals, he reached the highest point of Christian religion. Indeed, his diligence in hospitality was such that he did it not for the praise of this life but to fulfill the grace of a good will. Hence, it happened that he welcomed a certain distinguished Christian man, Timothy, coming from Antioch and publicly preaching Christ during a time of persecution, into his hospitality, a deed that made almost all Christians begin to fear. But Sylvester, not only rejoiced in having received him but also, casting aside all fear, commended both his life and his preaching with praises. Therefore, when a space of one year and three months had passed since Timothy’s preaching, and many people of the nations had been converted from error by him, he was regarded as worthy of martyrdom by the people of the pagans. Betrayed to the prefect of the city, Tarquinius, he was afflicted with torments and long imprisonment, so that, as a good athlete of God, when he refused to sacrifice to idols, he was decapitated among murderers. Sylvester, having carefully and diligently gathered his body, brought it into his hospitality. There, calling upon the blessed Melchiades, the bishop, and remaining in the praises of God throughout the entire night, they dedicated his martyrdom.

A certain very Christian woman, Theon, received his body in her tomb, not far from the grave of the apostle Paul, a deed greatly pleasing to all Christians, so that the martyr’s name might be commemorated nearby, and as if it were attached to the apostle Paul. After this, Tarquinius, the prefect of the city of Rome, hoping that Timothy had some money, ordered Sylvester to be detained. He said to him, “Unless you give me all the possessions of that wicked man and sacrifice to the gods, I will kill you with various punishments.” But when he learned from the testimony of women that he had nothing of this world’s wealth, Sylvester opposed him with the shield of Christianity, saying, “Unless you willingly offer to idols, you will suffer eternal damnation.” Sylvester then declared, “Know that you will be condemned by eternal damnation unless you believe more quickly in God, the Son of God, Jesus Christ.”

In anger, Tarquinius ordered that he be thrown into prison, saying, “I will make you die from the most severe torments in the next session.” To this, the blessed Sylvester responded: “I speak to you with the evangelic faith: this night your soul will be taken from you, and the torments you inflicted on Christians will befall you eternally.”

509

Meanwhile, Sylvester, bound in chains, was led to prison, and when asked by the prefect Tarquinius, he came to the banquet as if he were about to feast. But while Sylvester was praying in the prison and Tarquinius was dining in luxury, divine vengeance followed. Indeed, the jawbone of a fish turned in his mouth, which no medical art or the deception of magicians could remove. Therefore, after suffering torments all night, at the first hour of the day, when he had threatened to summon a session, he expired. Then the Christians, with the blessed Melchiades, the bishop, went to the prison and, bringing Sylvester out with joy, asked that he be made a priest for them.

Thus, when Saint Sylvester was ordained a priest, the Lord granted him such grace that there was no one who did not love him with affection and acclaim him as a servant of God. When Melchiades, the bishop, departed to Christ, Sylvester was chosen by all the people. The voice of all the clergy and laity united in agreement. And though he declared himself unworthy, this was countered by the holy proclamations, for before he was a priest, he had deserved to be a confessor of Christ. Through these and such assertions, he was encouraged by the people, and the bishop of the city of Rome, by the will of God, was raised up. And because he deserved it, it was shown in his works: he was most pious and filled with all sweetness, and thus, he was in the midst of both the poor and the rich, so that the poor considered him as one of their own, while the rich regarded him as superior to them.

He did not focus on the power of a person’s rank but on the elegance of character, and he honored each person the more the holier he had learned that person to live. He shut his ears from detractors as if they were serpents, saying that such venom could kill the soul of the listener. But those whom opinion had wounded, he united with his friendships, and by sweet admonitions, he would soften them and make the proud humble before Christ.

He would bring forth the accusation of the Pharisees against the Lord, who was eating with publicans and sinners, and he would also remember the Lord’s response: “They that are whole need not a physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” But concerning the poor and strangers, he was so concerned that, according to the word of the Lord, he believed that Christ was among them, not so much in the necessities he gave to them, but because he rejoiced in giving to Christ Himself.

No poor widow or orphan could be found in the entire city of Rome who was not enrolled in his register. He took care of each and every class with such diligence that he knew both the names and the number of widows, orphans, and clergy in the region, and he exhibited the fruits of his solicitude for them daily, meeting their needs with love. He took such care of the clergy that when he saw any poor clerics, he would associate them with the wealthier ones, so that according to the apostle, their poverty might be relieved by the abundance of others.

His care for the laity was such that if he found any among them studious in the law of the Lord, he would love them with great reverence. If he received any gifts from the wealthy, he would immediately divide them into four parts: one part for the restoration of churches or cemeteries, another for the clergy, the third for all the poor, and the fourth for the strangers, according to reason.

At that time, a bishop named Euphrosinus, from the eastern parts, came, saying that he had been commanded by revelation to hurry to the apostles’ tombs. This man had been proven by many trials and exiles in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and such was the power of his virtues that even if a sick person touched his handkerchief, they were immediately healed. Demons, too, fled at his command in the name of Jesus Christ. He was most eloquent in both Latin and Greek. His grace and purity of heart and countenance were so evident to all that anyone who had the privilege to hear his speech felt as if they were in the presence of a father of benevolence and a mother of affection.

Every day, he spent his time in the praises of God and prayer, especially on Sundays, he adhered closely to the Lord. When he came to offer the mysteries of Christ, he would wear a very white chasuble, which he claimed was the chasuble of the holy apostle James. He said that it was just for a priest to observe such reverence when attending to the divine mysteries: that he should wear garments that make him appear as a priest in the apostolic tradition. Thus, it happened that from the time of Saint Sylvester, the priests and deacons began wearing chasubles, a practice that Marcus Julius and Liberius had followed. Later, the chasubles were replaced by dalmatics, which seemed better suited for this purpose as they were more pleasing to the eyes of the people.

He also determined that the fourth and sixth days of the week, as well as Saturday, should be particularly observed as days of fasting, while the fifth day should be celebrated like Sunday

510

Saint Euphrosinus recalled that this was handed down from the apostles. The Greeks, however, insisted that the Sabbath should be observed more than the fifth day. To them, he said:

“It should be sufficient authority for our position that our predecessors have asserted that the apostles observed it this way. However, since your love demands an explanation, it must be given. If every Sunday is observed and honored in reverence for the Lord’s resurrection, it is just that every Sabbath should be observed with fasting for His burial, so that, weeping with the apostles over the death of our Lord Jesus Christ, we may also be found worthy to rejoice with them in His resurrection.”

But the Greeks argued that there was only one Sabbath of the burial, on which fasting should be observed once a year. To them, Saint Sylvester responded:

“If you honor one Sabbath among many with fasting, then celebrate only one Sunday as well. But if every Sunday is believed to be gloriously adorned by the resurrection, then every preceding Sabbath is a day of burial and should be devoted to fasting. For the one who wept over the death should rightly rejoice in the resurrection. And yet, I say that weeping signifies compassion, while keeping in mind that the Lord’s Passion is the greatest cause of our joy.”

Accepting this reasoning, the Greeks conceded regarding the Sabbath but vehemently opposed the observance of Thursday, claiming that the fifth day should not be associated with Christian festivity. To this, Pope Sylvester replied:

“If Sunday is honored because it is illuminated by the glory of the resurrection, why should Thursday be excluded from Christian feasts when it was on this day that the Lord’s ascension was revealed to the apostles? On this day, too, the celebration of the Holy Eucharist—the sacred body and blood of the Lord—was instituted by the Lord Himself. On this day, the sacred chrism is consecrated throughout the world. On this day, penance is granted to sinners, discord is reconciled, the angry are pacified, rulers grant pardons to criminals, masters show mercy to bad servants, judges spare thieves, and prisons are opened across the world. On this day, those who had shut themselves away in sorrow over their sins emerge in joy for the festival, weeping over what they had done in laughter, anger, or injury.”

Hearing these words and others like them from Saint Sylvester, the entire dispute was settled. The Greek Christians and their scholars, who had opposed it, finally said: “Truly, the Apostolic See has learned this from Peter, and no argument can refute it.”

However, since it would take too long to record all his holy sayings and wondrous deeds, let us move on to the miracles that Christ revealed in his time for the glory of His name.

At that time, an edict was issued that Christians should be forced to offer sacrifices to idols[ab1] . As a result, Saint Sylvester withdrew from the city and took refuge with his clerics in a hiding place on Mount Soracte. Meanwhile, Emperor Constantine, ruling as sole monarch[ab2] , had slaughtered many Christians and put countless others to death throughout the provinces with various kinds of torture.[ab3] 

Then, by the judgment of God, he was struck with leprosy over his entire body. When neither the magicians nor the physicians could cure him, the priests of the Capitol gave him counsel: a pool should be prepared in the Capitol itself, to be filled with the blood of children. The emperor, they said, should bathe in this warm and steaming blood, and he would be cleansed of his leprosy.

Thus, orders were given, and from the royal treasury and patrimony, over three thousand children were taken and delivered to the Capitol priests.

On the appointed day, as Emperor Constantine left his palace to go to the Capitol for the bloodletting, a multitude of women met him in the streets. They had undone their hair, bared their breasts, and were crying out in lamentation, casting themselves to the ground and shedding bitter tears.

Constantine, moved by their grief, inquired about their sorrow. He learned that these were the mothers of the children whose blood was to be shed to fill the pool for his healing.

At this, the emperor recoiled in horror, realizing the enormity of the crime. He thought himself guilty before God for as many murders as there were innocent children. The mercy of the Roman Empire overcame the cruelty of the Capitol priests, and, breaking into tears, he commanded his chariot to halt. Rising up and gathering the people, he declared in a loud voice:

“Hear me, my companions, soldiers, and all who stand here. The dignity of the Roman Empire is founded on mercy. Why, then, should I prefer my own health over the lives of innocent people? I will renounce this cruel sentence of shedding innocent blood. It is better for me to die for the safety of these children than to recover my life by their destruction—especially when my recovery is uncertain, while their cruel slaughter is assured.

If our victories in battle have always been honorable, ensuring that anyone who killed an infant was subject to the death penalty, shall we now act against our own laws? Should we, who have faithfully conquered all nations, now be captives to our own conscience? What does it profit to have defeated the barbarians if we are now overcome by cruelty? For while overcoming foreign nations in battle is the virtue of a people, conquering vice, sin, and crime is the virtue of morality. We have been stronger than our enemies in battle; let us now be stronger than ourselves by resisting our own evil desires. When we obey the will of the gods over our own, we triumph by being conquered.

For he who strives to commit evil seeks to enslave goodness. But if he is overcome in this struggle, he wins by being defeated. Indeed, he who triumphs over evil has truly triumphed, while he who allows injustice to conquer him has truly been defeated. Let us, then, be conquered by mercy in this battle. Truly, we shall be victorious over all our enemies if we are overcome only by mercy. The true Lord of all proves Himself by showing Himself to be the true servant of mercy.”

At these words, the entire army and people shouted in acclamation.

Then he commanded that the children be returned to their mothers so that the sweetness of their restored sons would overcome the bitterness of their tears. Not only did he spare the children, but he also gave them lavish gifts, abundant provisions, and transportation so that those who had come in grief might return to their cities with joy.

That night, after the day had passed in this manner, silence fell, and as the emperor slept, behold, Saints Peter and Paul appeared to him in a vision, saying:

“We are Peter and Paul. Because you have put an end to these crimes and shuddered at the shedding of innocent blood, we have been sent by Christ Jesus, our Lord, to bring you counsel for your healing. Listen, therefore, to our instructions and follow them exactly. Sylvester, the bishop of Rome, has fled your persecution and is hiding in caves among the rocks with his clerics on Mount Soracte. Summon him to you, and he will show you the pool of mercy. When he immerses you in it three times, the affliction of leprosy will leave you. And when this is accomplished, repay your Savior by restoring all the churches of the Roman world by your decree. Purify yourself, forsake all idolatry, and worship the one true God alone.”

Rising from sleep, Constantine immediately summoned his attendants and, according to his dream, sent for Sylvester. The bishop, believing he was being taken to martyrdom, exhorted his clergy:

“Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation! The time has come for us to bear the fruit of our labors. Let us take up our cross and follow the Lord!”

Then, he prayed, blessed his followers, and set forth with them.

512

May victory be granted to you from heaven. When the king received this message with a cheerful spirit and a most pleasant expression, he explained to him everything that had happened and had been revealed, according to the previously mentioned text.

At the end of his narration, he inquired about who these gods, Peter and Paul, were, who had visited him and why they had revealed the hidden path to his salvation. To this, Saint Sylvester replied:

“There is only one God, whom we worship, who created the whole world from nothing—that is, heaven and earth and all things in them. Peter and Paul are not gods but servants of God. By pleasing Him through faith, they attained such holiness that they became the foremost among all saints and were made apostles by God.

Thus, they were the first to preach the divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, to the nations, and from them, the entire Church took its beginning. After completing their apostolic mission, they achieved the crown of martyrdom and are now friends of Almighty God.”

When the emperor heard this and similar things with great joy, he asked: “Do there exist any images of these apostles, so that I may recognize in their likenesses those who were revealed to me and who told me that they were sent by God?”

Then Saint Sylvester ordered his deacon to bring forth an image of the apostles. When the emperor beheld it, he cried out with a great voice, “There is nothing in this image that differs from the faces of those whom I saw in my vision. They told me: ‘Send for Sylvester, the bishop, and he will show you the pool of mercy, in which, when you are washed, you will receive healing from all your wounds.’”

Saint Sylvester replied: “Listen to me, O King, and seek the necessary pool of salvation in this way: First, believe that Christ, the Son of God, came down from heaven and dwelt among men to reveal this pool to those who believe in Him.”

The emperor answered, “Had I not believed, I would not have sent for you at all.”

Then Saint Sylvester said: “Impose upon yourself a week of fasting. Set aside your purple robes and enter your chamber, put on humble garments, lay down sackcloth, and confess that out of ignorance you persecuted Christians. Proclaim not only with your words but also with your heart that He is the Savior of both body and soul. Repent for having killed many of God’s saints. And during this week, command the temples to be closed and all sacrifices to idols to cease. Release the poor from their debts, order prisoners to be set free, grant indulgence to those in exile or suffering in mines or other tribulations. Throughout the week, command almsgiving and acts of charity, ensuring there are trustworthy individuals to carry out these tasks.”

Then Emperor Constantine said: “It is evident that all men devoted to various cults cling to their superstitions, and where falsehoods about God exist, divine glory cannot be found. But if He is invisible, and when invoked through water grants this power to cleanse sins and heal bodies, then it is certain that He is the true God, whose apostles deemed me worthy to visit and instruct me to believe in the one true God as my Savior.”

As Constantine spoke these things, Saint Sylvester laid his hands upon the emperor’s head, blessed him, and made him a catechumen before departing.

Afterward, Saint Sylvester gathered all the priests and deacons with the entire clergy and declared a two-day fast for the whole Church, saying: “If the Ninevites, by fasting for three days at Jonah’s preaching, escaped the deserved wrath and punishment of God, how much more shall we, by fasting and prayer in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, avoid persecution, save souls, acquire peace for the Church, and bring an end to idolatry—if only we ask the Lord through fasting and prayer?”

The fast was observed with great unity, accompanied by fervent prayers. On the sixth and seventh days, when the fast was to be concluded in the evening, Bishop Sylvester said to King Constantine: “Hear me, O King. This pool—every body of water under heaven, whether of the sea, rivers, fountains, marshes, or lakes—has such power in the name of Christ that at His invocation, it washes away all sins and grants salvation according to the faith of the believer.”

Calling the fasting emperor to himself and strengthening him with instruction and steadfastness in faith, he reassured him of absolute certainty. On the evening of the Sabbath, he commanded the emperor to enter the warm bath in the Lateran Palace. When Constantine entered, Sylvester proceeded to bless the font.

After the font was blessed, the emperor entered, and Bishop Sylvester, receiving him, asked, “Do you believe with all your heart in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit?”

When the emperor declared loudly that he believed and renounced the deceptions of the devil with all his heart, Saint Sylvester fully immersed him in the baptismal pool and anointed him with the sacred chrism, saying:

“You who cleansed Naaman the Syrian from leprosy in the Jordan, who opened the eyes of the man born blind through water, who restored the sight of the Apostle Paul through baptism and transformed him from a persecutor into a teacher—cleanse now your servant Constantine, the ruler of all the earth. And as You have purified his soul from all filth of sin, so also cleanse his body from this leprosy of the flesh, that from being a persecutor, he may become a believer and a defender, bringing glory to Your Holy Church through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, forever and ever.”

When all had responded “Amen,” suddenly, a light as bright as lightning shone for nearly half an hour, striking everyone with awe and covering their sight. Then there arose a sound in the water like the hissing of boiling oil, and it seemed as if Christ Himself filled the entire font.

Emerging purified, Emperor Constantine confessed that he had seen Christ. Clothed in white garments on the first day of his baptism, he issued a decree declaring that Christ was the true God who had cleansed him of leprosy and should be worshiped throughout the Roman world.

On the second day, he enacted a law that anyone proven to have blasphemed Christ should be punished.

On the third day, he decreed that if anyone insulted a Christian, they would forfeit half of their wealth.

On the fourth day, he granted privileges to the Roman Church and the Pope, declaring that priests should have the same authority over all the clergy as judges have over the people.

On the fifth day, he proclaimed that any church, once consecrated, should grant asylum to any accused person seeking refuge there.

On the sixth day, he decreed that no church could be built within the walls of any city without the approval of the bishop recognized by the Apostolic See.

On the seventh day, he ordered that a tenth of all royal possessions be given for the construction of churches.

On the eighth day, having set aside his white garments, he proceeded joyfully to the tomb of the Apostle Peter. Removing his crown, he prostrated himself, shedding so many tears that his royal garments were soaked. Amid bitter weeping, he confessed his past errors, persecution of the saints, and unworthiness to even approach the apostle’s tomb.

Finally, on the first day of his public procession, he removed his royal cloak, took a spade, and dug the first soil for the foundation of a basilica. He then carried twelve baskets of earth on his shoulders in honor of the twelve apostles.

And so, with great joy, he rode back to his palace with the Pope, initiating the construction of the Lateran Basilica and decreeing that Christian worship should flourish throughout his empire.

ou cleansed the leprosy of Naaman the Syrian in the Jordan, and you opened the eyes of the man born blind through water. And to the apostle Paul, through baptism, you restored the sight he had lost, and you made a persecutor into a teacher for us.

Cleanse this, your servant, Constantine, the ruler of all the earth. And just as you cleansed his soul from all the filth of sin, so also wash his body from all this leprosy of elephantiasis. Let your Holy Church glory in having this man as a believer and defender, instead of a persecutor, through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, forever and ever.

And when all had responded, “Amen,” suddenly, like lightning, an unbearable light shone forth for nearly half an hour, terrifying the minds of all and blinding their sight. And behold, a sound arose in the water, like the sizzling of a frying pan, and as if huge fish were moving, Christ revealed that the entire baptismal pool was filled.

Emerging cleansed from the water, Emperor Constantine confessed that he had seen Christ. Clothed in white garments, on the first day of his baptism, he gave this law: that Christ is the true God, who had cleansed him from the danger of leprosy, and that He should be worshiped by the entire Roman world.

On the second day, he enacted a law that anyone proven to have blasphemed Christ should be punished.

On the third day, he proclaimed that if anyone wronged a Christian, he would forfeit half of all his possessions.

On the fourth day, he granted privileges to the Roman Church and the pontiff, so that priests throughout the Roman world would have him as their head, just as all judges have their king.

On the fifth day, he decreed that any church built in any place should have this privilege: that whoever took refuge in it would be protected from the danger of present judgment.

On the sixth day, he legislated that no one should be permitted to build a church within the walls of any city without the consent of the bishop approved by the Apostolic See.

On the seventh day, he ordered that a tenth of all royal possessions be collected by judicial authority for the construction of churches.

On the eighth day, after removing his white garments, he emerged completely cleansed and safe, and coming to the confession of the Apostle Peter, he removed the diadem from his head and threw himself prostrate, weeping so abundantly that his purple garments were soaked. Amid bitter tears, he cried out, confessing that he had erred, that he had sinned, that he was guilty of persecuting the saints, and that he was not worthy to touch the threshold of the apostle.

As he cried out with great lamentation, who could describe the flood of tears shed by the entire people? It was a joy full of weeping, like that which happens when dear ones are raised from the dead, when survivors escape shipwreck, or when those who faced death narrowly escape.

But since it would take too long to recount everything, let us say what he did on the first day of his procession: he removed his cloak, took up a spade, and was the first to break the ground for the foundation of a basilica. Then, in the number of the twelve apostles, he carried twelve baskets full of earth on his shoulders from the place where the foundation of the basilica was to be laid. Rejoicing and exulting, he rode back to the palace in his carriage together with the pope.

On the following day, he similarly began the construction of the Lateran Basilica within his palace, issuing a law that stated:

“Let it be known to all that we have become worshipers of Christ, so that we may build a temple in His name within our palace, where the Christian people may gather with us to give thanks to His divinity.”

Having given this law, he ordered it to be published and posted, declaring that if any poor person wished to become a Christian, they would receive white garments and twenty solidi from the royal treasury.

This was done to prevent deceit from being motivated by greed, ensuring that these gifts would benefit only those who truly believed and not those who merely sought them out of temptation.

That year, such a great multitude believed that the number of baptized men reached twelve thousand, not counting women and children. Thus, from one side, the people of God increased in glory, while on the other, the pagans were thrown into confusion.

Since none of the senators initially believed in this holy religion, the Augustus (Constantine) did not force anyone or permit anger against them. However, he ordered a high tribunal to be set up in the basilica and addressed the Senate and the Roman people with these words:

“Profane divisions of minds take no wise counsel because they are surrounded by the deep darkness of ignorance, and no bright and serene splendor of truth illuminates them. Therefore, the eyes of souls must be opened with the light of knowledge, and it must be carefully examined whether these so-called gods should even be named or believed in, for they are known to have been made by men. They are not gods, but rather, they themselves were merely men…”

514 SYLVESTER [cclxxxiil’- –

The gods can be said to be those whom they themselves have fashioned. Finally, if by some accident any damage occurs to them, the men who made them with their own skill restore them with that same skill.

Therefore, as I have said, men are the gods of those whom they created when they did not exist, and when they have created them, they restore them when they are damaged. From this, taking my reasoning, I present to all the duty of worshiping the true God, which you yourselves see and acknowledge as having been done to me.

For unless Christ himself were God, who made me, he surely would not have been able to restore what had been made by another. Thus, it is proven that the human race is the creation of this God, who restores the fallen, strengthens the broken, and elevates the lowly. Just as all these idols, which are the creations of men, are restored by men’s help when they are damaged.

Let these errors, then, finally come to an end. Let this superstition be rejected, which ignorance conceived, folly nurtured, and blindness sustained. Let God alone be worshiped, who alone and truly reigns in the heavens. Let us stop venerating those who cannot save us and whom we ourselves must save when they are harmed.

Let us no longer seek protection from them, when it is we who guard them so that they do not perish. What could be more miserable than worshiping bronze, stones, and iron?

Let it be pleasing to all that I, who once denied Christ, have been restored to my former health by him, and that with the help of the Lord Jesus Christ, I have turned away from this error. And since the wisdom of the Romans is not mistaken, let it honor this God, by whom it is protected, rather than one whom it must protect.

But so that a long speech does not weary you all, I will briefly state what I have decided:

We wish that churches be open to Christians, and that the privileges known to be held by the priests of the temples be granted to the bishops of the Christian law. And so that it may be known to the entire Roman world that we bow our heads to the true God and Lord Jesus Christ, I have undertaken to build a church for Christ within my palace.

Thus, all people may see that there is no longer any trace of doubt or past error in my heart. And when this speech was given, the voice of the people resounded for three hours, saying:

“May those who deny Christ perish miserably, for he is the true God.” (Repeated three times)
“There is one God of the Christians.” (Repeated forty times)
“Let the temples be closed, and the churches opened.” (Repeated ten times)
“Those who do not worship Christ are enemies of the Emperors.” (Repeated forty times)
“He who saved the Emperor is the true God.” (Repeated thirty times)
“Those who do not worship Christ are enemies of the Romans.” (Repeated ten times)
“He who worships Christ always triumphs.” (Repeated forty times)
“Let the priests of the temples be expelled from the city.” (Repeated forty times)
“Those who still sacrifice to the gods should be expelled from the city.” (Repeated thirteen times)
“Order that they be expelled today.” (Repeated forty times)

At this, the Emperor called for silence and then addressed the people:

“There is a difference between divine service and human service: human service is compelled, but divine service must be voluntary. For God, since he is worshiped with the mind and revered with sincere human devotion, must be worshiped freely.

This is evident in that he is the true God, for he has not, despite being scorned for so many ages, imposed destruction on his adversaries, but has shown that he should be worshiped by granting forgiveness for sins and bestowing health upon souls and bodies.

Let it therefore be known to all that no one is compelled by necessity but is free to become a Christian by his own judgment. No one should approach the worship of God out of fear of human authority, but rather by rational consideration, they should be invited to join the ranks of Christians by those who serve this most sacred law.

For it is right and true that just as it is wrong to deny a petitioner, so too it is unjust to impose faith upon one who does not ask for it. Let no one fear that they will be estranged from our favor if they choose not to be Christians, for our clemency is such that it does not change in action.

Thus, it must be considered that those who willingly come to the Christian law will be more closely allied with us in friendship.”

Then, as both Christians and pagans praised this decree and wished long life to the Emperor, the voice of the people resounded for a long time. And when the event concluded, as Augustus returned to the palace, the entire city was adorned with candles and torches in celebration.

There was joy among all because such a law had been issued—one that forced no one into worship but also prevented no one from worshiping Christ.

The voices of the laity resounded through all the churches, all the tombs of the saints were honored, and all the confessors who had been exiled in chains to distant lands were recalled with royal honor to their own homelands and became friends of the king.

As for the other things that were said or done, I pass over them so as not to bore the reader with excessive length, for there are many other useful things that I must not omit. This history requires that we now turn to Helena, the mother of the Emperor…

the mind of the wise does not refuse:

nor does right faith sometimes suffer any loss whatsoever

the benevolence of God must be repulsed;

rere: But we apply it to human error: that you wanted to believe that the injured Nazarene god

and to esteem this lily of the god to be in the cajlis: who was descended from the Luddites and a magician

the accused failed to accept the verdict of the cross. From whence to the light of truth

bear with those who desire: there cannot be another way: unless they have received the law of the Jews.

And your piety is therefore proved to be restored to health: for you were the first among the idols of Augustus

you renounced God, then, is true, who is the god of the Ludaeans, that he might show them

You know that there are no true gods, he has made you to be saved: so that the proofs of the shams are deposited in fear

nor propitiate them to give them health, nor take away the angry ones. The end of this error is 15

Your intrepidity has abandoned your piety. Now approaching God Almighty

Virtue will accompany you: which cannot be overcome. Therefore, when you begin to worship:

you will obtain the Davitic government secretly and Solomon’s wisdom and peace

kingdom And the prophets will be with you: with whom God has spoken: and all that

through them you will get what you want. Farewell, Lord Augustus, always the father of the son of Augustus 20

Dearest: and good luck to the desired success. To these things were written such things.

Lady semper Augusta to mother Helenjw lilius Constantinus semper Augustus . Who

He directs the ages and disposes of the sulfur of the whole world: by which we are nourished and sustained

and we are: through himself indeed he lives the aspirations: but through the breasts of his princes the rights

He dictates for centuries. Therefore, how much more excellent a place do we hold among men: so much 25

We are open to everyone’s gaze. Therefore the eyes of all mortals are the judgments of all

and with all the wishes of ours, whether they would sit down or not: VA, therefore, always, the lady

Augusta is not only irreproachable but also || it must be praiseworthy: what we want

And indeed we do not know all the good that we want. But these things I would say in action

They are aiming at our bus. Indeed, to understand God is superior to our understanding. 30

The very judgments bear witness to our error, because we thought they were gods, whom we commanded

we saw the works of the artisans. Let our presumption therefore cease in this definition:

so that the priests of the Jewish sect and the pontiffs of the Christian religion were united in one

niant^^ : and to us who are present, by the mutual altercation of their senses, acting towards the truth

let us reach the goal. Let it be so: that from the sacred scrolls I will give him so much 33

how they also show us the truth. To the culture of which truth is together with us

let us invite all the sages. Goodbye always lady Augusta. and with my sons success

with success Then all the Pharisees and all the leaders of the Lydians were assembled

and the teachers to Augustus, Helena commanding them, that they might choose the most learned

ii*os: who went with her to the city of Rome. And Augusta herself told them that 40

The truth of the law could not be held by the princes or by the whole age: except one part

he has reasonably overcome the other opposite to him. At this time Issachar the supreme

He was the pontiff of the Ludaeans;

He withdrew: And he sent the twelve scribes and the teachers and leaders of the Pharisees: who

45

they would prove fit. Constantine Augustus and Licinius were consuls four times

In March there was a gathering of the Chrictians+ and the Ludaeans in the city of Rome, in which various

There were seventy-five bishops of the provinces. of the Ludaeans, indeed

one hundred and twenty priests except these twelve: who quarreled with the pontiff Issachar

they had been destined for the grace of 50

An interview was held with the people inside the palace in the basilica: in which they wanted to be listeners

Constantine Augustus with Helena his mother Augustus: lu | You will say that they have given these:

who were neither Lydians nor Christians: lest one of the two should withhold grace from his part: and

he asserted the truth for his worship. A certain philosopher Graton was given to know him

55

He would have received some service from someone: he would never have spoken to the king in court

whatever power he received

. And since he was a friend of the earthly government, he wanted nothing

to have an earthly The rhetoric of both Greek and Latin books by many

516 SYLVESTER [cclxxxilli’- –

he reads the years of the nohililat in Roman: and who, as has been said, had absolutely nothing to do with the future

necessary for the day: he asserted that it was his own, and that he would gladly look upon it with his eyes. Building

all long to guard wealth with care: and he himself mentioned to enjoy security.

He said therefore: If the multitudes of ages wear gold and silver and jewels and silk

5 bus: to be seen by men: to please the eyes of the people with their concern

they like the ax And so with all their offices and ornaments their long lives

they close their eyes: who despise being long: and arouse their affections in themselves: who

they desire to be long-lived: indeed, it is not love of money that makes long-lasting, but contempt

who presents his kindness gratuitously out of indulgence to the ungrateful: and whatever he can

10 He shows himself not by harming his enemies but by helping them. A companion was given to him

Zenophilus prccfeclorius was a man: who therefore earned the consulship: because when often

He was a commander in number: he never accepted a position of any kind from anyone.

Nor did he determine that there could be a just existence: those who, on any occasion, would come to him in abundance

would receive Therefore, the accepted assertion of these two is that of Craton the philosopher and Xenophilus

15 illustrious was regarded as the law: nor was he found in anyone as usual: who was in doubt

would put it: that theirs would have been terminated by judgment. Whence also when the will of all

the tate of the elders and the little ones, these connoisseurs of Aug-usti, Jewish quarrels and

they put up the defenses of the Christians. That indeed the beginning of the discussion existed: who

the order of the discourses was: the end will come: the text of the second book shows: In which

20 The trophy of faith is raised up: and our Lord is wounded in the battles of Jewish superstition

part of Christ received the palm

LIBER SECVNDVS GESTORVM EORVMDEM .

This end of the former book is fulfilled: who promised the second book of the Ludaeans

resisting the contentions of the Christian defenses. Given by Augustus Constantine

25 The judges were praised until then: that Chrisli’s victory would take the palm from them+: who neither

they were not to be polluted with the praise of Jewish superstition, nor to be adorned with the title of Christian religion

there For when one of the two would be true, they would not be opposed to them.

that the defenders of his party, led by the virtues of his profession, fled. Then he cried

the illustrious philosopher and Zenophilus are given as judges in the presence of Augustus IIelen; B

30 of the mother of Augustus: who had been moved by LudiTeis: and of Augustus Conslantinus himself who was the first

Among the Roman kings there was a worshiper of Christ. .There are groups of sportsmen with twelve

to those false apostles The bishops are also present with Pope Sylvester. Therefore

Augustus sitting with his mother Augustus at the meeting: all who were present sat down

He ordered: and silence was ordered: In which silence Constantine was the first to be ordered

35 It was thus done: not only the safety of the present bag was to be treated at that meeting, and

what must be done: the truth must be required by all of us and our posterity. And

since the prayers of my mother Augusta are the concern of the Ludaeans for the whole world

It will be seen that reason accommodates the consensus: I salute what he proved in this conflict:

let him believe and hold the truth. The whole Roman world made me a Christian

he learned For it behooves ours to speak quietly together with us, and to cherish the quality

to know by hearing: and to weigh the judgment of the judges c-equilates tray: and

to show favor with honest and correct definitions. I believe in the ministers and to whom

to oppose the condemnation of Leslimonius with the scions of his conscience. Let him sit to whom this law does not

displeased: and together with us when reue | the rent of the king of Cfelest, that is, of the almighty god:

45 whose case is being discussed: let him hear and prove what has been proven, and condemn what has been condemned. Ilac

for by moderation and at the notice of the true Lord, all will perish;

ernnt+ and they will find the salvation of their souls.

The whole people cried out at the king’s pleasure. And after the cry there was silence:

Craton, the philosopher, is addressed in this way: listen to all who are assailed in this conversation

50 patients I will indeed make a short apologetic speech: which of these two things is

taxat: for whom AugustcC anxiety judges me

and Zenophilus the illustrious man

he established between disputants Indeed, he himself is the most important emperor with Christian love.

The leader of the law ought to be the defender of this faith. yet he refused to be a player for that reason: because

He himself mentions that he had given such a law: so that no one would be able to obey it

55 Elves and defender and judge. Thus, too, the mother of the most lamentable empire of Augustus defended

– cclxxxvr] SYLVE&TER 517

He has taken possession of the Jewish sect: as a defense on both sides of the highest ajqui Itbration^’

be built then they will be punished here and there by the definition of Augustus: who ad

they are seen ready for debate. Therefore let it be known to all that we are not judges

that he had learned neither the Christian nor the Jewish law: for we are lovers of wisdom: no

less than justices and the like: who for equity are worse killed than conquered. 5

Therefore, the cause of all is discussed here. Let all their mouths be closed. Let the ears of all be open:

that they may understand the meaning of the universal and those who debate, and discern the opinion of those who judge.

Zenophilus said: It is agreed that I have spoken with my own mouth. To investigate

yet I will: who they are: to whom is given the opportunity to speak: lest they con-

he leaps from one side to the other in a flurry of speech. For to one we give the power of speaking: by which I speak

in silence from the divers, the first answer to be given by one: That when it was kept:

let the speech run safely and freely. And it will be certain that what will be said by the disputants: cer-

the very thing that was determined by those who judged: To please themselves they cried out:

both were said. |1 And when the clamor was over, the names and dignities of those who were to debate

are required Twelve of the Ludai were therefore chosen first. Abiathar and Lonas 15

their rabbis: ZodoJias and Aunan their scribes: Doech and Ghusi Didascali sjna-

g-goes Benjamin and Aroel were their interpreters. Lubal and Thara were their scribes.

Sileon and Zambri were their presbyters. There, however, Zambri tells us what the outcome of things is

even a most skillful magician was hidden: through whom he also believed himself to be victorious

to take part in the swee But confidence placed in man is turned to ruin. 20

Syluestra’s hope was indeed placed in the god, and Iropheus obtained the triumph. Finally, when

they would say that the twelve should be chosen on the part of the Christians: who opposed the twelve of the Ludtians

the disputants were standing in the conflict of the debate.

We did not gather in multitudes of men presuming on the power of God alone. There is one

for the almighty God to whom we say: Arise, Lord, judge your cause. as much as 25

but we are diminished by human aids: we are aided by the divine To this Abiathar said:

Our prophet heard this sentence: If, then, they are: how much for your part

you will bring forth in defense: not from our codes but from your books it is agreed to bring forth

Gui Saint Syluester said: Everything here today about you is to be brought forth by us in books

I have brought you: just as, on the contrary, you have brought us from our own, if you were able, they will be 30

something to be brought forward For then we meet rationally: if a part from which it is different

when he was convicted by the authority of his own people. Zenophilus said: worthy and reasonable

this sentence is valid: that he who fights by the authority of his own law is addressed not

to deny: what he believes: the Emperor said: it is a just defense: by which everyone is compelled

to meet with the authority of his religion Abiathar said: the main task is: as 35

We are taught by those to swear by the god whom we worship because he is one by his law: who

They confess that there are three gods. And therefore concerning our books, which we worship one god, these things

brings forth he is ignorant: just as he also was ignorant: who | when he said that he was the son of God: just a

He was crucified by our predecessors: whom he himself does not deny that he was dead and buried.

He adds, however, that he rose again on the third day and will ascend into the heavens. Behold the two gods 40

that is, the father who begat this son: who was crucified: and the holy spirit: whom

they say that his apostles appeared to them. Behold, he is persuaded to believe in three gods. In our

but read the voice of our God crying out, saying: see: see: for I am God: and

there is no other but me. how these say that there are three gods to be worshipped: the father whom

we believe: the son whom our parents condemned to the gallows of the cross: third 45

indeed the holy spirit? So these three gods they worship: he who said himself alone

they reject and ofTend. Zenophilus said: If this is the word of God speaking, there is no other

For me, he is forced to teach Sylvester not to worship three gods but one, so that he can

to evade this objection of the three gods. Bishop Sylvester said: we have one God

we worship: and we confess: but we do not say that his divinity is in such solitude: as 50

He would indeed have the joy of a son: but we call him a son: of whom your prophet spoke

He said: by the word of the Lord of heaven they are established: and we call him the Holy Spirit: of whom

the prophet says: by the spirit of his mouth is all their virtue. We say that son: to whom

the father cries out through the prophet: you are my son: this day I have begotten you. His God

today it has: and tomorrow it has not: like me or you: but it always has to be. Like 55

God is without beginning: so is the father without beginning: and just as the father is without beginning: so

He is without beginning: whose father he is: to whom he said: let us make man in our likeness

and our ima’-inem. For if he had said, I will make it in the image and likeness

518 SYLVESTER [cclxxxV –

mine: it seemed, perhaps, that he had indicated the weariness of solitude. But now that

He said: to the image and likeness of us evidently and the son and the likeness

He expressed himself: for he receives nothing greater: because he does not know the increase of age: nothing less:

because he has no where to grow. And he willed himself to be the redeemer of the human race

5 He willed with him by common plan and deed || the matter For thus his voice against him increased

2. The duplicity of the Lydians, who, seeing him, said: This is not from God. Therefore, as a secret

• he would show the majesty of his divinity: thus he confounded their unbelief: when

he would say: if you believe neither the words of the prophets nor my words: because I am God: well

believe with your eyes that I am a god who raises the dead. Therefore and pro-

10 Your fathers testified, saying: This is our god, who gives life to the dead. Anticipating

therefore, warning the Lydians that they would be unbelieving, he said: see: see: for I am and there is no

another before me I will kill: and I will make alive: I will strike: and I will heal. Abiathar

He answered: learn+ the volumes of your gospels: and show them: if you find them anywhere

that your Christ killed some: when you read that he raised some from the dead, for He said

15 This is the word of God: I will kill and make alive. Craton said: if Christ is established

that he raised the dead: it is evident that he is the same: who also brought death to the living: for

that part of which the judgment is caused, that is, of human killing: beasts can do this also

to do: and the diversity of human cases underlies it: indeed, it is nothing but to raise the dead

he is only of God. Abiathar said: the virtue of our law has always had men of virtue: who

20 They made various signs: for they commanded the elements, and divided the seas, and the flowing waters

They commanded the rivers to run after them, and commanded the sun to stand still, and fire from heaven

they cast down on the wicked men and on the sacrifices: and the corpses of the dead

they recalled the life they had lost. None of these, however, have these signs and wonders

they are read to have done himself, he usurped the honor of the divine name: which he did: whom

25 They say that Christ is injured, and that the Son of God and of God is crushed. Bishop Sylvester

He answered: you cannot deny this in the meantime: that the daughter of our archsynagogue is dead

raised him up: and the widower’s only dead body was brought back to his mother

Even the body of Lazarus, having been in the tomb for four days, smelled as if he had awakened him from sleep.

it was difficult I lie if your historian loses But he did not report these facts about him.

30 But also Carphus, the chief of your priests, in this event, that is, in the raising of Lazarus

to burn out If Pylatus had not also signified this by the same relation of his own. Then

Abiathar: I said that there were also others: who, doing these things, remember that they are the servants of God.

For he claimed to be a god. To whom Syluester says, Aaron must remember

and Mary boasting against Moses that they had been struck with the plague of leprosy. She is Abialhar

35 he says. Then Syluester: and this brings to mind Dathan and Choreb and Abiron

having been devoured from the earth because of pride. Abiathar said: it is so. To whom Sylvester :

nor will I suffer this to pass you by: that Saul Christ was effected by the spirit of pride And Abiathar said: it is so. Sylvester replied: If so

it is: no, because it is so: let the judges see.

40 the hearing of the deaf: he cast out the demons from the besieged bodies: he walked over the seas with dry feet

he washed He calmed the storms, healed the paralytic, and raised the dead.

He could have been drawn and called himself a god, which he was not. Since of course this is the god of the Hebrews

He never suffered the proud to suffer without some severe blow: I am sure of this

He who said that he was a virtuous god was accompanied by efficaciousness.

45 whom he taught: if you do not believe my words, then believe my virtues. Zenopnilus+ illu-

strias and .+ Craton the philosopher said: it is clear that Abialhar was overcome by Syluester: if

it happened that the god of the Hebrews always resisted the proud: but the reason itself

He supplies a document to the tooth: if he were not a god, and if he called himself a god, he would not have been able

nor would it avail to confer life upon the dead. Then I removed Abiathar: I was ready to defeat him

50 was admitted: who also said: that fidcs should not be entrusted to human reason;

He advises me to believe: that you are the one god of the father and the son of the Holy Spirit.

Bishop Sylvester said: when you read in your books about the father: what the lily says: the son

you are mine: and the son: what he said to his father he did not call: you are my father: why

as if || You do not intend to assert anything new in this holy trinity.

55 when thou art holy, hear thy prophet as they pray: do not take away the holy spirit from me.

another prophet saying: the spirit has passed away from me: and another prophet says: sj)irilu

from his mouth all the virtue of those, that is, of the Lonas said: Now the order of discussion

ours takes its origin from our father Abraham, who is so dear to God, that

– cclxxxvi’] SYLVESTER 519

God would call him his friend: and his generation: therefore in that part of the body

would consecrate: because this race of ours would naturally exist. Finally, when he divided

the god of the living beings: and he would determine their limits according to the number of the angels: the portion was made

This is our generation in Jacob, who was the son of Abras. I’m lying if that’s the case

Sylvester could have denied the present writing. To whom he answered: to deny that it is so

we cannot: but we do not know why you brought this into the middle. lonas said: since

it is circumcision: which sanctifies those who worship our god

He would have wanted to be associated with this people of ours, unless he had been circumcised: that would be completely done

he could not Bishop Sylvester answered: you would say these things correctly: if without circumcision

no one could have been just either written or believed: for even Abel was the first to read that it pleased God

tur: and that he was the most righteous. The most holy Enoch is mentioned: indeed, it was translated

we believe him from the midst of mortals as a divine witness. God himself was thus Noah

He says: I found you just in that nation. I will eat and drink with Noah’s assailant and

He approves of the most righteous. Then Melchizedek was the high priest of God

the most sacred writing is burdened. Behold, all these without circumcision are to be sacrificed to God 15

If you deny it, you will be convinced. If you do not deny it, you will also be supplanted in this part.

the judges will confirm the decision given by the statute. lonas said: you must remember:

because the beginning of my assertion was this, which I also said: from Abraham the line of argument

assume Then Syluester: That is why I named Abraham’s predecessors: that you may answer whether

let him be a god : | to whom also Abraham was pleased. Lonas said: it is he. Sylvester 20

The bishop answered: I ask now: by what means do you mention that these pleased God?

circumcision or by justice? Lonas said: through justice. Sylvester replied:

God’s loveliness is well proved in the works alone: ​​or even by the faith which

they would believe that this was the god who would kill the horse and the sea with all that was in them

are they created? And lonas: nor does he say that they could not be called just, unless they believed that God was just. 25

To this Syluester: What should I ask now that Augusta should carefully consider? Abraham

also when it was said to him by God: Get out of your land; when it was said to him by God:

fear not therefore I am with thee: when God scourged the house of Abimelech because of

him: and it was said to the king: Know that the prophet mhe is: see that you do not touch him: but

he prays more for you: barrenness may be removed from your house. Tell me when he saw the angels 30

three: and he worshiped: and he saluted: and in the same trinity he mentioned one master: say

to me: when he believed: that a great man and an elder of a hundred years could have a son

already cold at that age: and he believed: and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness: and a friend of God

he was called tell me, I pray thee, was he already circumcised: or is he still circumcised?

what mention had there been? To this question Lonas added: And when he insisted 35

Syluester: in order to give an answer to the questioner: he began to say: I am with you about circumcision

I do this: because God attributed to the generation of the Hebrews: that he might teach this virtue indi-

cium: which was granted to our race. Bishop Sylvester answered: Do not tell me

to object to bends: and like a slippery snake, by which you are more quickly confined, to escape: and from

leave with questions that are not finished. say that the beginning of your question is assumed 40

you will convince yourself: you told Abraham to seize the norm of your discussion. Say then:

when Abraham was promoted by these universal virtues the friend of God was already surrounded

was he circumcised or uncircumcised lonas said: he had not yet been circumcised. Sylvester

The bishop answered: In the meantime, the faith of God made him a friend. tell us: what |1 more ab

45

necessary for gender? For God foretold the generation of the Hebrews through various nations

diffused: he attributed a mark to their flesh: so that the generation of such a man was shown to be sealed by this

He told his father Abraham that through faith and justice he had reached the friendship of God. Gra-

The illustrious philosopher and Zenophilus have said: it excludes the prerogative of circumcision

the end of justice For Syluester did not teach Abraham about circumcision, but about faith

and that justice had pleased: Wherefore if he has nothing else to bring forward:

He gives: For he knows that his proposition is most evidently outdone. Constantine

Augustus said: I wonder that the Ludaeans have been overcome in every way by the Scriptures. So I removed it

lona: Godolias came up, and he said: we are dealing with him who was born in the gospel

their writing is read as having grown with age and wisdom: tempted by the devil: after Epheia 55

handed over to the disciples

then he fell: he was drunk with vinegar: he was crowned with thorns: he was stripped: his clothes were cast into lots

having fallen: crucified, dead, and buried To this Sylvester answered: These things

b20 SYLVESTER [cclxxxvr –

We will teach you today that everything written about Christ is trustworthy. For he was born from

Saint Isaiah prophesied to the virgin in this order: Behold, the virgin will conceive in the womb and give birth

faith: and his name shall be called Emmanuel. that indeed it was discussed among men:

hear the prophet saying: This is our God, and none shall be esteemed but Him.

5 who showed the way of salvation to his son Jacob and to his beloved Israel. After this in the earth

He saw and conversed with men, because he was being tempted by the devil.

and he would overcome the devil: the holy prophet Zacharias says: I saw: a great priest wounded

dowry: and the devil stood at his right hand: and said unto him: God commandeth thee, devil:

who redeemed Israel but what was to be understood: the wisdom of God through Solomon

10 He says: The wicked said, let us take away the just: because it is useless, no |

twice: For what was to be delivered by the disciple, says the psalmist, who was eating the loaves

mine: he increased his supplantation against me. And that he should be despoiled: and

his dew+ would fall in the lot: foretold the holy prophet David, saying: they divided it for themselves

my clothes: and they cast lots upon my clothing: for that by false witnesses

15 he would be accused: the prophet foretold saying: unjust witnesses have risen up+ against me: what

indeed he would be crowned with thorns: the prophet Saint Jeremiah foretold that the sins of Thorns

The people here have surrounded me with their sons. And that the meat was to be fed to the goats

to be drunk with vinegar: the holy prophet spake, saying: they put gall in my meat: and

in them they made me drink vinegar. And because he would be mocked: said Saint Hie-

20 Remies, saying: I am bound to this people in illusion: For because of their bonds

would be tied and to be crucified on a tree: says Saint Hesdras: you have not defeated me

like our father, who delivered us from the land of Egypt, crying before the judgment seat:

You humiliated me, hanging on a tree: you handed me over to you. that indeed he was to be buried:

St. Jeremiah says: For in the burial the dead come back to life. But at the time when

25 Our wounded Lord Christ in his passion gave up his spirit

mulla, the bodies of the sleeping saints have risen: these things, if you could,

bare: because they were not driven out by your adversaries: you will surpass me as a liar.

But if these things were truly prophesied to you by the holy prophets: believe yours if not mine

you believe: because I have proved that it is: what has been said. And if you want to deny this to Judas:

30 You will destroy your own religion. If you had spoken the truth, you would have been confessed: and your pro-

you will bear true witnesses: and you will worship our Christ married. To this God

I marvel, says he, at the brow of a Gentile man, usurping the knowledge of our law.

To whom Syluester: then the judges will prove one of the two or the true god: and

You have been lied to by unnecessary falsifications: or you have lied to God;

35 Craton and Zenophilus di || They said: Godolias now said to whom

that he had run into the very tooth: Or else the Gentiles ought not to presume upon the knowledge of the law

yours: if the God of the Hebrews did not say this: or if the God of Abraham said that in the seed

all nations shall inherit him, and he who promised has fulfilled his promise: supe-

Know that you are right in your objection: if you do not deny that God promised this.

40 Constantine Augustus said: if there are any others, let them be brought forward: because these are just enough

defmita Then Godolias retired, and Aunan came up, who said, “All things are quaj de.”

They were blessed by some saint. It was said that Sylvester was foretold of her Christ.

mat: whence it is most just: that it should be proved that this had been foretold of that Christ

by the prophets: that he might be born: that he might be tried, that he might be held: that he might be afflicted with insults

45 return lastly, that he should be crucified: that the dead should be buried. To this Syluester answered

He says: it will therefore be necessary for us to explain your writings to you: of which I spoke before

confess that they are your writings: and that they are true: and that there is no cloud of falsehood

to have Aunan said: all that is true is true; they said, we all know: ct

no one is ignorant: but you teach other things about other things. To whom Syluester: then you will give another whom

50 a virgin conceived and gave birth to another, who will spiritually understand the nations

he has brought a hound: you will give another: who shall be fed to the pelt: and to the ace to drink: a crown of thorns

born: crucified: dead and buried: who on the third day rose from the dead and ascended

he says to the heavens Then Conslantius+ Augustus: If he says he will not give allerus: Aunan

let him know that he was most evidently overcome. Craton said: if promised by God through the prophets

55 this is established: that in Christ it is complete: it will be seen

to suffer Whence, let him approach this far away: he who objects: if they are to be objected in any way: Dishonest

for the answer given is different for others, and just answers are unreasonable

contrary to the objections Docch quinlus said; If David Christ came out of him

A

– cclxxxvir] SYLVESTER 521

He became: because he was born sanctified: he did not have to be baptized. for this if [being born

He had that he should be called the son of God: it was not necessary for him: so that he congratulated himself on this again.

it should be restored by baptism: that which had already existed at birth. To these Sylvesters: as

circumcision received its end in the circumcision of Christ: thus the consecration of the beginnings of baptism

received by the baptism of Christ For he was not sanctified by the water of baptism

Christ: but he himself sanctified it by his entering: as when he entered: the heavens to him

he caused to be opened: those whom the water itself had closed against him: and the holy spirit from the horse

He prepared to receive him who was coming: that through him he might thus wash the soul from sins: as by

he washes himself with bodies defiled by filth: and through him all who believe in him may learn

the wave of baptism to be able to receive the holy spirit Zenophilus said: satisfied 10

I consider your question: that if you think you are going to say something, ask: But he

he joined Constantine Augustus said: not so would doech: if he had the contrary:

which will bring forth Sextus Chusi, the teacher, said: It is not out of the question, but it is very convenient.

that you may explain to us the causes of virgin birth. To which Sylvester answered: you have read in

of the scriptures, that God made the first man out of the clay of the earth, and he was cast out of paradise 15

God’s delights to eat bread in toil and sweat. Chusi said: It is so. Then

Syluester: therefore Adam became an exile through the preseuarication: when thence abroad

he was sent: where he abounded in pleasures. Chusi said: it is so. And Sylvester: tell me:

the earth from which Adam was made: was it uncorrupted or corrupted? Chusi said uncorrupted

it was To these words Sylvester answered: Well you said she was uncorrupted: for she was a virgin. 20

Chusi said how was the virgin? To whom Syluester: if she was uncorrupted, she was a virgin.

I said to Chusi: I do not know to which part you mean the uncorrupted or the virgin: Syluester

The bishop answered: You did not read that God said to Chain that the earth was corrupted.

How did he open his mouth and drink his brother’s blood? Chusi said: it is read. Then

Syluester: therefore the virgin was before the earth: because she had not received the curse of the thorns: 25

and the sepulchre, body || the dead man had what he had, but it had not been given to the serpent

to eat Chusi said: it is so. Sylvester answered: if it is so: no, because it is so:

for it was necessary for a new Adam to be made from the virgin Mary: who was tempted by the serpent

would overcome: that is, he who would overcome the conqueror of Adam the first man: and the man from his captivity

He would take away life: And he who conquered Adaj stood in paradise: he himself became a tempter (ESL 30).

of the Lord in the wilderness: and he that had overcome Adam eating, would be overcome by the Lord Jesus

swimming For as it was eaten by Adam persuading the devil: and all that are born

There on earth they were given over to death by Adam: it was fasted by the Lord: and all who

through him they are reborn: life learned! they are restored Now, therefore, as if I had not found death

they deny: except those who have been born of the flesh and blood of Ada: thus they do not find life: except 35

they were reborn from water and the holy spirit: and the flesh of Christ and his blood

let them associate with blood: who slew the devil: he restored paradise: and the gates of life eternal

made it clear Then Constantine Augustus with the judges and the generals cried out in praise

They beat Syluestra. Sept. 1st Benjamin stood up, saying: there is still time to praise Sylvester

It is not: for there are many things which we may object to

and we ourselves, giving our hands, will leap in the praises of his victory. He answered

Syluester: the custom of those who defend injustice is such:

deant: and let it be the comfort of justice to delay the victory. Say, then, what you will

acknowledge that the Holy Spirit is ready to have an answer in our heart. Benjamin

he said: we are dealing with him: who was born in the time of Octavian Caesar: about whom Euan- 45

your jellies say: that he was tempted by the devil: and betrayed by the disciple: at a price

having received the dominion: and let him be held by the multitudes: and for his blasphemies he went into

his face: and with scourges on his body, and crowned with thorns on his head: and set among the murderers

on the cross: and he died and was buried: whose memorial you worship: and you say that he rose

from the dead: I cannot tell this god what reason he makes bare Sylvester 50

He answered: Excepting Chusi, with whom I had a conflict: now to the particulars which objected

listen to your chest When, then, I was to say that Scmper+ was the son of God: you yourself said: we know about him

we say: he who was recently born: and you did not want to say: he who was born of a virgin: not to you

your prophet would obey and say: this is Emmanuel, who is interceding with us

god for he is of which all the prophets of the Jews foretold. Finally, about 55

Isaiah cries out at his birth, saying: Behold, a virgin will receive in her womb, and will give birth to a son.

and they shall call his name Emmanuel. This, then, was born of David’s seed according to the car

He who is the predestinated son of God had sworn by virtue to David the god

522 SYLVESTER [cclxxxviiv –

saying: of the fruit of thy womb I will place upon my seat: and it was necessary: ​​to swear

to fill his chin: that this son whom he had begotten before the world was:

whom a virgin conceived and gave birth to and there was a perfect god in him centuries ago

begotten of a father without a mother: and a perfect man from a mother to whom there was no carnal father:

5 For the Holy Spirit entered into the womb of the virgin, clean, spotless and untouched.

He caused her to conceive in such a way that he might restore the world which had been lost

He who is the god of the most faithful invisible man would appear through him the visible man: and he would be among men

God through man: to whom the heavenly Father said: You are my son, this day I have begotten you. Yes

this is not written in your codes: try to refuse. If indeed it is written: yours

10 Believe the scriptures rather than my assertions. Then Benjamin: when not alone

about the birth of your Christ, but also about the illusion and tradition and his passion and death

you have been asked: you have seen something intimate about your birth alone: ​​and therefore it is necessary

leading: that you may be astute of the rest: therefore I said that praise should be deferred to victory. To whom

Sylvester answered: it is first: that you confess that Christ has justly defined me as born: as

15 When my victory was established from his birth: I will fight with you for passion alone.

Constantine Augustus said: a just question of the antithesis: for you must confess about these things

2 have been said, if they have been correctly defined: and the same conflict does not arise again. He answered

Benjamin: indeed they may well be said, if those things which follow do not injure them.

Then Syluester: say then what follows. To these Benjamin: therefore thus the son of God a

20 The devil could be tempted to make bread out of stones just as he was hungry.

only to be lifted up in the height: only to worship the devil himself by the spectacles

it would be advisable for many years. To whom Sylvester answered: you have forgotten that I have already said: he who through

Adam had gained the victory by eating, because he was overcome by Christ fasting

and defeated For if therefore he conquered: because he was heard by Adam, it is therefore established that he was overcome:

25 because it is despised by Christ fasting. But we are not tempted by the son of God

but we say the son of man: in whom the fullness of the son+ of God consisted: for as in him

he was full divinity: so also in him was full humanity, for Chrislus was truly a man

injured: who gave himself a ransom for all: and as if thoroughly tried

He was not able to do this, because he was the son of God: thus he was acting in the most extreme temptation.

30 who was the son of man For if man had not been perfect, he would not have killed him

He had conquered a perfect man: for his victory could not profit us at all.

it might be taught that the destruction of Adam was present to the human race, but as the son of a virgin

the devil slew the perfect man of the earth: and all his children were condemned to death

he took: thus and by the son of the virgin Mary he was overcome as a perfect man: all born again

35 through him he restored the inwardness of eternal life, for our god says about this: unless someone

he is reborn from water and breath: he will not have a life of learning. Now, then

in man the earthly birth: which is born of death: and what is the spiritual birth? born

tur uit.-u perpeluaj: what nativity Christ opened to us at that time: when

He overcame the devil trying to tempt him. Do not, therefore, turn away from God the template: but look down

40 the devil overcome For the devil had once conquered Adam: it is threefold from Christ

Victory overcame This, therefore, had sufficed: that he might therefore have won: since he had persuaded

Adam, the father of all that was born, had consented to eat of his son: Christ who

he is the father of all rebirths: he despised by swearing+: and he doubles nay threefold

He falls into a victorious trial, so that he who has won once will be won three times. For

45 He was lifted up on the pinnacle of the temple, which continued fast with the spurs of excitement

as if the conqueror had existed through fasting: the very victory of the fast itself would have been seen

lifted up: and already as a conqueror of the angels demanding the ministrations promised to him in his practice

to confirm his mercy: but to give us the form of his victory: that he might be overcome

let someone rejoice in the devil by fasting: he should not be extolled at all: Digitized by Google

50 He overcame the triumph of the place: in which he won not for himself but for us who believed: and he sup-

the devil’s rale was followed by a fast of exaltation. once again overcome with exasperation

Glory was followed by the restraint of the days. for these two victories were celebrated

and human glory’ they supplant: if qu i ab eo diuilia* oblincri polucrunl : who

I adore their cxtitcrit: whose monelur cscsc I contemplate. For whoever is famous

55 The greatest of all has existed through sanctity: kings begin to honor him together with the nobles

to exhibit: He himself, if by occasion, he had been a caper with the love of lofty persons

of money: he will not gain it unless he has flattered them against justice: and those whom

he knows that through pollution and lust and malice and injustice he has the devil in him

– cgIxxxviiii’-] SYLVESTER 523

not only does he not revile and reprove; indeed, bowing his head, he worships and despises:

and here is the triumph which our wounded Lord Christ obtained in his battle:

so that he might say to the devil that he offered riches and dominion to the enemy of justice demanding: as

him whom he foreknew he would adore for the offerings of the gods: “Vade Satana” (written).

for it is the Lord your God you shall worship: and you shall serve him alone. Here are all 5 for you

I have explained the causes of the temptation: believe now that you may be able through him who overcame the temptation

to escape the temptations: and to celebrate with us these three victorious temptations of Christ. Then

nevertheless in the praises of Syl || your judges together with Augustus and the whole people

for a very long time they were silenced by their cries. Then the eighth Arojiel burst forth into the voice

He said: God is certainly perfection: and no one+ needs anything: then what was the need for him: to be born

return in Christ? Sylvester, the bishop, answered: the son of God, who before time was from his father

He was begotten: that He might make things which were not: that is, the heavens and the earth, and all that is in them

they are And when he had said these things, Arohel said: therefore the son of God made heaven and earth. Gui

Syluester: What do you think the son of God is? Arohel said: you must say: who him

the church Syluesler says: the son of God we read the word of the father we believe and prove. But 15

because you are of the seed of the Ludtians: and now you begin to be a disciple of the Christians: listen

David saying: the word of the Lord Cajli is confirmed. Again, another prophet says: the word

God’s valid, and perhaps someone will be willing to buy it: by whose virtue the earth was founded

is: and the river is solidified with its lights: and the sea is diffused in its bay?

Arohel said; By what reason do you declare this word the son of God? Then Sylvester: 20

The father himself asserts that he begat a son, saying: with thee is the beginning in the day of virtue

yours in the splendours of the saints: I begot you from the womb before Lucifer. So much virtue

He is of the almighty father: as the word that went out of his mouth to do all things.

for this son may be proved and believed. Arohel said: Gonstat what before what

he had a son: he could not be called a father: tell me how he can be called immutable: 2b

to whom did this name come? Sylvester replied: I do not want you to err so foolishly as to think that you are a god

to beget in the same way as men beget: for God has always been a father: because always

Lily existed: whose father he is. It was not by accident that this name was chosen.

For the father always had a word: and he had virtue: and he had wisdom.

Therefore we say that the word of God is virtue and wisdom: which was always in the father

there can be no doubt. Arohel said: and where will you be able to teach this? Sylvester

He answered: In the father’s heart this word was always: God himself was his father teeth

he expressed: when he said: My heart spat out a good word. Also in the book of wisdom

Wisdom herself speaks to him, saying: I have come forth from the mouth of the Most High: I have caused it to arise

light when the mountains were established: and the earth was established: and the rivers were poured out: and 35

fountains of water burst forth: I was arranging everything. Gum therefore always with him

he had the word of virtue: the father did not begin to have the word that he did not have: when

but he began to show the virtue of the works of his word: which indeed he had:

El is thus made that he is not called a changed god: to whom the name of paternity has been added; For so

He was always a god, so that he was always a father, because his wisdom and his virtue were with him. 40

is Gum, then, was never without wisdom, and without virtue: how do you think this?

that the name of God came from time: when he was always a son: whose father is Zenophilus?

He said: “Benjamin took his speech from the nativity” and therefore the answer from the nativity alone

either accept it or refuse it: so that I can answer you in detail about the rest

I am But he was silent : he was no longer able to speak. The ninth-grade Pharisee said: let him say 45

Sylvester, has God cursed married couples? Syluester answered: we are well married

We say the words from God. Lubal said: and why do you deny that he was born out of wedlock: whom

Colitis: Syluester answered: that is not why we call Christ the son of the virgin

we condemn marriage: but we accept the causes of virgin birth as reasonable.

Then I do not know what reasons a virgin gives birth to. I feel this one that 50

you seek the praise of a virgin because of a married couple. And Syluester: they are not obscured but

The spouses are adorned with this assertion: since this is the virgin from which Christ was born

She was born of a married couple: and thus she presented herself as holy, so that she was worthy to be the son of God

to conceive flesh made: that he might repair the lost age. To these Lubal said:

since we are more fully satisfied with virginity alone: ​​it remains for us to pass on to other things: 55

for we say of the multitude of the disciples that he was delivered: held: deceived: robbed

then: II crowned with thorns: affixed to the cross, dead and buried. Sylvester answered:

You must remember that the Jews said that the Son of God could not repent when he was subjected to passion.

524 SYLVESTER [cclxxxviliir –

but the perfect man was injured, a Nazarene: God had promised to complain to Abraham, saying:

that in thy seed all nations shall inherit: of which David had also promised

God saying: Of the fruit of thy womb I will place upon my seat: this was tried

and passed: tempted: that he might overcome the devil with all temptations: passed

5 that he might subdue the various passions: the dead might subdue the dominion of death. Then

Lubal said: therefore there are two sons of God: one whom the virgin gave birth to: the other whom the omniscient god

he generated a powerful And Syluester: God’s son is one in Christ: who is like the truth of God

the invisible son: thus is Christ visible. This is erg-o invisible: that which is God:

and this is visible: that he is a man. For a perfect God made a perfect man

10 he put on: that he might present perfect salvation to men. Lubal answered: And how

it is possible: that a man may suffer: who is assumed without his suffering: who is assumed

was it possible? Syluester said: it can be taught by some example: as two placed in one one

he incurs an injury: the other escapes. Lubal said: you show me this for no reason

you will be able To these things Syluester: you act with a Jewish mind: therefore before you hear it is not for you

15 You assert that it is possible for me to show you: what I will show you better. Lubal said: this is impossible

human reason convinces me that two are one in one: that they subsist together: that they are held together:

they were crucified at the same time: and one without the other suffering suffered the injury of that one. Then

Syluester: With any example of human reason I will show this: let them say

the judges feel that you have been overcome. Constantine Augustus said: Even if he does not want to provide

20. Consent: he must be judged: that he should agree: since he himself has placed two substances in one

you will show that one can bear the injury of passion without aha. And Syluester: as present

purple; let us use the example of the king: it was wool: and the color of the blood approaching this wool

it was purple When it was spun with the fingers: and twisted in the thread: | what torque

this is the reason why it is the color of royal dignity: or this because wool existed before

25 would it become purple? Certainly not a royal color; clothed with dignity, but worthless wool: as if born

had existed This being so, it is evident that the lanaj resembles a man, and of a purple color

to resemble+ a god: who was at the same time in passion, at the same time in tradition, while he suffered

on the cross: but he was completely subject to the passion in nothing. Constantine Augustus, therefore, when

He asserts that he taught Sylvester by example to the universal acclaim: Thara was the tenth

30 the Pharisee saying: this example is not sufficient for me: because the color is cut at the same time: at the same time

the wool is also twisted: to which almost all would contradict: not at the same time, indeed

to subject wool alone to passion, not color. Syluester answered: I beseech you, Lily

dearest, give silence: that I may set forth a more evident example: Cui luda^us contraire

it cannot be: and he added: listen to Thara: it can be done: as a tree having brightness in itself

Can 35 suns be cut? Thara said: it can be done. Then Syluester: If, then, it is cut: no

you see that the blow of the striking iron is received by the brightness of the sun before it reaches the wood:

but sp when the slayer is there: he cannot be cut or separated from the slayer. And so

the divinity could neither be trusted nor befallen. But that was subject to passion: that as

sign + and could be bound and held. Then the whole Jewish people came together

40 He hailed the praises of the saint Syleus: VA when Augustus willed to give the line of battle:

Bishop Syluester said: Sileon and Zambri alone remained: to whom it was denied

enough to say that: they will be seen by us for fear of being despised. Tenth to these things

^Sileon replied, “You are doing well to prevent the opposition which is rightly objected to you: And therefore if.”

Of your Christ our prophecies have been uttered:

45 explain the great passion and death of Zion: that it is Christ himself who was promised

it is: even with us we fall: To whom Syluesler heard the just inquiry anxious

to have dcsydcrat : And so I want them to love all those who are most dear to them || thrice

to hear For I am not only going to jump into this question, but in a very literal way

I am going to treat the cause of all health problems. Therefore, from the beginning of the world from which man was born

50 He was thrown into the delights of paradise: and here into the cradle of tears and sorrows

He was condemned to death and exiled: from the washed mass of the human race, Abraham was the holy and faithful one

he was found He believed this promise to such an extent: that the onines might be blessed in the stem

Gentiles For thus it is cast in Eplalicus: when the high man divided the nations and scattered them

Lilios Adaj: the god appointed the finches of the nations to cover the gifts+ of his angels: ct

55 The Lord Jacob’s portion was made of the glory of his Israel: and he added: What is it?

Sileon said: It is so. Syluesler the bishop said: When I carry only Abi\T generation

he had chosen: by the merit of his faith Abram begat Isaac: and Isaac begat Jacob: and

these three served God so faithfully, that in the cloud they stood guilty as God

– 21xXXXr] SYLVESTER 523

the almighty, with special condescension, willed his name to be mentioned in these, saying: I

I am the god of Abraham and the god of Isaac and the god of Jacob: this is my memorial name and

forever and ever. Of course there were causes: which I will now mention

It was a long time before the sons of Abrate arrived in the land of Egypt and were under the command of Pro-Pharaoh

command But God, remembering his promise, drove them out from there with a strong hand and arm

on high: so that he made them pass through the middle of the sea on dry feet: and Pha-

in their presence he would give a reason to the waves of the sea with all his army. From now on

He gave them the law through Saint Moses of the sacrifices, that is, in lambs: in bulls: in

sheep: in goats: in goats: in turtles and in doves. But all these things

and the devil, affected by these things, made Elijah join himself to his idols. Where did it come from: as 10

be born of a virgin: that we may be born again of the church in the womb of a virgin. He was hungry

he would refresh us: he was thirsty: that he might minister to our avidity the vital cups. He was tempted:

to deliver us from the devil’s temptations. He was held to release us from culture

give!monum: which held us he is bound: so that we are bound by the knot ma | He would absolve the slander:

He was mocked: that he might deliver us from the mockery of the devil: he was humbled: that he might exalt us: 15

He was captured by men: to deliver us from the capture of demons: He was plundered: so

the nudital of the first presuarication, not with fig leaves or skins, but clothed

He would indulgently cover with the whiteness of the mind: and over the snow the whitened and clean from sin

all those who believe in him should adopt the sons of his father with the filth of rum. Spine in the head

He took a crown: to deliver us from the curse of thorns and thistles: and 20 flowers

the paradises which human consumption made us to destroy would return. And since wood

We were held captive by concupiscence: Christ took the wood of the cross, as if from sin

He would condemn sin in the flesh. He took the meat of the deer and the cup of vinegar, so that the man would come to him

he would introduce the earth flowing with milk and honey: and he would open for us sweet-flowing fountains. He accepted

and 25

He would take away our malediction+ from us: He took upon Himself our mortality and

He restored to us his life together with eternity. He was buried: as holy burials

He would bless the rum. He rose to give life to the dead. It rises in ca elos : as

He would restore to man not only the paradise he had lost, but also the heavens

would open the door He now sits at the right hand of the father: to nod to the prayers of the believers. 30

But lest it should be seen that by the running words only human reason is patronized: without

with some pigments or herbs and cosmetics

he said to the sight, that he might show himself to be the one who had fashioned the first man from the mud of the earth.

He restored sight to a man born blind: as he had not given what he had seen by creating: by pitying him

would give For this reason he also cleansed the lepers with the word: he provided salvation for all abominations. 35

He expelled the demon from the besieged bodies. He walked the seas on his feet. He commanded

coming He controlled the storms, and restored life from his mouth to the dead and the buried

command What more had I eaten? He is coming to judge the living and the dead: to restore

to each according to his works. This is our faith: which we hold and preach:

and we believe If you think that something has been said to you, O Jew, ask: Ilccc and 40 like these

Pope Svluestro said, “The people of the whole world together with the kings and the judges of the law.”

they cried out in praise, giving thanks to God, who had given such a reason through his mouth to his ears

had given them: that no doubt should remain in their minds concerning the omnipotence of Christ

spins Syleon, having heard these things, said: I confess that I have had enough of all. For

Your first speech, and your middle and your last, were thus established by reason: that you should have already long ago- 45

we should believe in Christ For our perfidy does nothing new: which is always proved

that he acted against his interest Then Zambri, one of the twelve, was indignant with a loud voice

he said: I wonder that the most prudent judges believe in the crookedness of words: and the power of God

I concluded to estimate that by human reason. I only believe if the arguments are humane

Sylvester has usurped us: we are going to leave our own laws and follow a man who is a magician

him: whom our parents condemned by one accord. But let him hear me plead

the most commanding: let him order to bring forth some fierce bull: that I may show it

today in his sight the virtue of the Almighty God. For I do not want with these words

to contend: but to do something by actions: and to show efficacy in the name of our God:

by which human reason can believe in the divine virtues: and who is the true god they do not know

to be taught to them For if he says this god: whom he does not deny crucified: why then?

I have not asserted this god: who is approved as incomprehensible and ineffable? And when

Augustus would have sought the fierce bull: there was the illustrious Terrenius: who would say that he

526 SYLVESTER [cclxxxxr –

not far from the town near the city, he has a very strong bull in the herd: one that can

to be constrained by many Then Bishop Sylvester began to beseech Augustus and all: who

they were there together, so that that most ferocious bull, which Augustus had commanded, should be brought

to be brought in the space of the travelers and redeemed+: Syluester’s bishop pus with Zambri of this matter

5 He practiced argument.

he would have to fight But indeed Zambri, when he was a sorcerer, said: because it is the name of a god

no virtue of ours prevails upon the Earth: for our elders with bulls in sacrifice to God

ferocious they would offer: this name of the god they said loud in the bull’s ear: it immediately bellowed

and making groans at the same time they exhaled their breath. For there is no virtue, as I said

10 He who hears this name can live. To whom Sylvester answered: And how do you do this?

Did you learn the name by not hearing it? Zambri said: Therefore do you think that by hearing this I learned

that by no means can a human being suffer the hearing of a man or an animal? answer

said Syluester: Or he insinuates to the lord of things Augustus: in what order this name is unheard of

you will learn Zambri said: it is not a mystery to know this mystery: who is the enemy of the Ludaeans

you are 15 Augustus says to him: did you then learn this name by reading? Zambri answered for

paper, not membrane, not wood, not stones, can have this name inscribed

ptum: for immediately he who writes perishes: and where it is written, it will be dissolved. He says

Augustus to him: Tell me simply, how did you learn this name? Zambri

He said, I have fasted for seven days: after this, I have entered a new silver bowl, in which no one

20 used to exist, water was sent from the spring. And when she was full she was blessed: after hadc in

letters are made by the water itself with the finger : which may teach the mind of the silent one the name of the Lord : Then

I remember that I wrote in water from the first hour of the day until the evening: and I was able to do it

climate+ to keep in the privacy of my breast: then what is the use of words and contentions

to relax the reins: and to go through the plains of conversation and to say and hear one thing or another.

25 This and many things similar to these he repeated with Zambri: behold, the most ferocious bull among many

He was presented to the soldiers, bound with ropes from the head and from the back. Then attacking Zanibri

blessed Syleus, here your words and the arguments of your discourses will find an end. Or

say the name of your god in the ear of a bull: and you will be proved to worship the Almighty: or || I will say:

that all our religions may agree. Then all our faith was almost disturbed

30 supporters But Syluester stood undaunted and joyfully saying:

whether they are overcome by greater and divine help. However, because they were the beginnings of the believers:

it was necessary: ​​that thin lids should be pressed by the tempestuous tempest. They agreed

yet all at once that he should say this name in the bull’s ear: and this that Zambri had promised

would be proved But when Zambri went, and said in the bull’s ear, he immediately became miserable and gave

35 he moaned: and with his eyes cast out most violently he expired. Then all the players were insulted

Syluestra rose up: and some part of them began to charge our part: and

this tumult lasted for the space of nearly two hours. Sylvester therefore fixed on his prayer

He was asking for help from the injured Lord Christ. Then he begged Augustus to impeach the people

silence was rare: when it had been effected: he ascended to higher places with a clear voice

40 he said: listen to the princes and understand the powerful: and let all the Roman people acknowledge it.

The wounded Lord Christ, whom I preach, enlightened the blind: he restored hearing to the deaf

He said: He restored the duty of speech to the dumb: He restored dry hands: to those who limped

he restored his step: he cleansed the lepers: he cared for the paralyzed: the dead in his name

raised Whence it appears that this is the name of the devil, not of God: that he killed the bull: if

45 he could not revive the slain. For he is the enemy of life and of human salvation

He preferred to mortify the living: since he cannot raise the dead. For the god of whom

I promise that he not only mortifies the living, but also quickens the dead. but to kill

It is not possible to kill the living and the dead: both snakes and lions can do it

bears and robbers and all wild beasts. However, if he wills: so that we do not believe this

50 that it was the name of a demon: what he said: he should only say that name when he is dead: el

raise him up But if he can kill, but cannot revive, his name proves it

to have named Dajmonis: who lives he can kill: he cannot raise the dead. |

Then Zambri tore his clothes, and said: Sir, most graciously, the emperor

by Auguste Syluestra, whom no one excelled in words: I

55 in the name of the almighty God it is lustful: that the power of speaking may not be given to him:

because the new and sharper things that speak against God will diminish: and his eloquence will decrease

your kingdom: To whom Syluester said: hear, O Jews, the wrath of your assertions. In

God himself speaks to Deutei’onomio, saying: see see: indeed I am God: and

– cclxxxxr] SYLVESTER 527

there is no other but me. I will kill and make alive. I will strike: and I will heal.

When, therefore, he was summoned, he killed at the right time, and he also revived at the right time. Then

Zambri said: I did not say to you, Sir, that the Emperor Augustus was always the most eloquent: because in

no one can surpass Sylvester in words: now deign to command him: that by not speaking anything

but by doing he declares Then Zenophilus and Craton, together with Augustus, urged the judges

ban Zambri: to raise the bull: which he had killed for the invocation of the name.

And when he hesitated, and said that he could not raise him completely, they said to him:

It is established according to the testimony of the wild demon that he called you by name: which ad

He preferred to kill: he cannot prefer to raise. To this Zambri said

bat: divine; the name of virtue is of such weight that it cannot be completely borne. To whom I praise

Sylvester persisted in opposing us, and we remembered the injured lord, who had been approved by God

that faith should shine in the minds of men: because to those who weaken salvation, you blind light and life

he would have contributed to the dead You are called by that name to kill a living one

could you not raise the dead? Zambri answered: You are ignorant of ten plagues

the fig tree was cut down by the invocation of this name: and all the first fruits of Egypt by man

even cattle suddenly dead? To whom Sylvester and you do not know that this was written:

the Lord mortifies: and revives: he brings down from the underworld: and brings back. Then these listeners

Zenophilus and Craton, the judges, said: It is certain that Zambri was overcome: if he could not

by the invocation of this name raise || re the bull of Morluum: whose name

cationc+ kills the living. Zambri said: Let this Sylvester be summoned by that Galilean 20

Lesu Nazarene: that we may be able to receive the assertor of his divinity. To this Syluester

he refused: therefore you will that I may raise up in the invocation of my lord this injured Christ

a bull Zambri said: You will not do these things: even if you could fly with feathers. constant

Augustus the little one said: I wonder at your importunity: you said words should cease: deeds

some osLendat Here he promises to do this: which you do not fully fulfill as you say

you will be able: whence it is clear: that you confess that this is a true god: who raises the dead

could And that devil, who can kill, but cannot revive. Then

Zambri began to describe himself, and to assert, by the greeting of Augustus, that Syluester was a bull

he would raise him up from death: all would let go of the Jewish law: and of the Christian religion

30

the food said: I ask you judges: who regulate all things justly: ask the cffiters

Jews: who will enter into conflict with us: if they give their heart’s assent to this decision

I am: to make it clear to all that when the bull was raised, no doubt remained about the name of the injured person. Zeno

Philus and Craton said: let the authors of the Jewish assertion declare in detail: whether

let them bear this reason: that the final decision was found after all the contentions. Abiathar 35

He said: the consent of us will be ready: if we hear we will prove this in the name of Lesu

to have risen lonas said let us hear whatever Syluester said above this bull: so

we may know: that he called the name of him who was crucified. Codolias+ said:

if he had summoned him, whom our parents called guilty of death: and he had risen

this bull was slain in the divine name: without doubt I will give my hand to Sylusli’s assertions. 40

Aunan said: just as our days cannot deviate from the right path: so neither can the bull

this one will be able to rise again: Nevertheless, because the sentence is concluded in him: as if injured in the name

he rose from the crucified: let us give assent: | if this has happened: I will not

I am a contrarian. Doech said: I wonder how prudent men are for such foolishness

sacrificed: that they may believe that this dead bull is raised to some extent in the divine name. 45

Here, if even as he lay he could move himself in the name of the injured person all ambiguity

I will throw it away: and I will believe what Sylvester preaches. Chusi said I’m more confident

would believe: because I knew that the bull could not be raised to the invocation of the name by injury.

Benjamin said: is there not laughter in the minds of the beholders: who see the bull’s eye

lis, having come out of his place, lying all swollen and dead: so that we may believe him to be 50

the invocation of the crucified man to be able to rise again? However, because this pleases the judges:

if it has been done: I will give consent. Arohel said that the prosecution of Benjamin said by my mouth

it is: and therefore, having raised the bull, I promise the Christian defender to agree: and I will believe

to be a god Sileon said: and I promise to withdraw from Ludaism: and to Christ

Say: if Syluester made this bull live one day. Thara said: like a big 55

It is madness to believe that this bull can be raised: so is great inexperience: to pro-

let me depart from my law: And because both cannot be done: safe polli-

ceor: that by raising the bull from Syluester: I became a Christian. lubal said: how much

528 SYLVESTER [cclxxxir –

as long as the promise of our deeds is kept inscribed: neither the rising bull nor me

You will see Chrislus believing: yet let us not see him willing to raise Sylvester

prevent: let us all profess to become Christians: if here we are called by the name of Christ himself

he raised that bull. Zenophilus and Craton said: behold, of all the Jews

5 sentence: who conspired to persuade Sylvester to contract until now ctum: in it

he arrived at the definition: as if the bull had risen here, injured by the name of Syluester.

Syluestra’s defense of the victory was successful: and they removed themselves immediately from Judaism. What?

now Sylvester is going to do it: let us see. Then the blessed Sylvester said in a commanding silence:

Hear, brothers, and those to whom God gives understanding: concerning cattle || God does not care

10 We have learned for certain: But because time demands that he be worthy: the cause of the salvation of all

it is more propitious to take care of the matter: let the faithful sequester themselves from the unbelievers

teeth: that all of us who believe in Christ, standing on one side, bow our heads

all asking the Lord with one accord: that he might deign to grant our petitions: and

to show that our lord is a wounded christ. To this voice

15. All the unbelievers were separated from the believers: and the prayer was made almost by one

hour: in such a way that there was not one among them who did not cry and cry out to God. But to those who laugh

to the Jews and insulting one another: they said that your Christ will appear soon. Then

Bishop Sylvester spread out his hands to the Lord and said: God of Abraham. God

Isaac and the god Jacob, who by the three invocations in these three patriarchs, are therefore invoking thee

20 You willed it to be revealed to us through our Lord, the wounded Christ: which in

In the trinity, the Father and the Son and the Spirit are one God, the true Father having the true Son

begotten of thee the true holy spirit proceeding from both: one deity in trinity

tate: one trinity subsisting in unity: nothing less than the one: nothing greater than the other: for you are

the same: who is always God: who made the world out of nothing by your word, that is, by

25 your son: who was deigned to take the form of our servitude: and man per-

to assume that God was made perfect: that God and man are in one for all who believe

come up: you who were born of a virgin birth were shown more by the star index: and shepherd-

shown to the river by the angels placed in the manger

you have been shown: you have overcome all kinds of temptations for us: to save us from temptation

30 with them you would rescue the demons and call them back to the glory of paradise. And therefore the son of man

you were made to be children of God and spouses of eternal life. So I invite you

the wounded Nazarene crucified, the author of the great resurrection: who for that reason wanted to die:

so that the power of death, rising from the dead, might take captive death and the afterlife

you would open the entrance I don’t I confess your mind with a public voice: so that everyone may know this

35 the people: because this bull that was killed by saying the name of the devil: your saints

let him return by the invocation of the name: And therefore hear me thy brother: that he may be excited

the bull at your right hand from the Almighty: and with all meekness rising like a lamb

let him approach his flock with all gentleness: so that all present may know: because

you are the son of God: who came into this world. And saying that, Syluester the saint

40 He put himself to the ear in which I do not know the name of what he had said to Zambri: and he said: the name is evil

of speech and death as you entered into the ear of this bull: so go out at the command of our Lord

;> the injury of the crucified Christ of Nazareth: in whose name it is said unto thee: Arise the bull: And with this

he would have said: with a recovered breath, the laurel rose with all meekness: in whose hand was the bond

Saint Sylvester cried out to his own, saying: Go with all meekness to the herd

45 yours: from whence you were brought: no one killing you: for you will not be able to be harmed or killed by anyone.

and he caused a space to be made for him: and he let him go with all meekness. Slalom

all the Jews, falling at the feet of blessed Syluester, confessed that they believed in Christ and prayed

tur: that he might pray for them: that nothing should happen to them, I approached him. Helena Augustus herself

in the sight of all, the knees of St

50 kissing him, was he asking for a place for penitence? to be given Soon all the people together with

Augustus and the judges and all the Jews with one voice shook the space of hours through Iria

saying: true god and true son of God the Lord Jesus Christ was wounded. More on that day

than three thousand judges were gathered to the faith of Christ. Ilelena Augusta herself

with all his sons and daughters he believed in Christ: and all together

55 they gave: but the judges themselves Zenophilus el Cralon: and all their friends were injured

Ch They believed that the son of God was the real god. But all of them are given a given name: because

these things had taken place during the beginning of the month of March: on the holy day they were reborn at the sacred pasture

by baptism: and they glorified the injured Lord Christ, giving thanks to the abiding God

– CClxxxxir] SYLVESTER 529

in the trinity that through Pope Sylvester he had delivered them from error by his compassion: and

he had made the way of his salvation to be found without doubt: And all the holy Antichrist of God

from that day they cultivated with one accord: and not only in the city of Rome, but also in all the regions

the Catholic faith of the Roman city by the assertion of its faith and the perpetual virtues of its works

got the palm After the passage of several days, the pontiffs who had been to the temples 5

They made this kind of suggestion to Augustus Constantine, saying: Most sacredly

always Augustus, your Roman people are in danger of the most invincible dragon

inspired For the virgins used to be sacrosanct to your goddess during every calendar day

to have a descent to him: and to serve him food of semolina. And whence piety

He accepted your Christian law: to this he is carried away: And therefore he was indignant. every day 10

he harassed the people with his sword. Then the Emperor Constantine consulted Saint Sylvester

asking if it was necessary that food should be given to the dragon as usual, and that sacred ceremony

would be presented Saint Syluester, answering Gui, said: If any of your soldiers

let your little tyrant permit any law to be made against your rights:

15

will you judge? And the Emperor answered: He will perish either by the sword or by fire. He tells her

Sylvester the bishop: he incurs this punishment with the heavenly king, who permits the contrary

his will to be fulfilled Now Calfurnius, prefect of the city, was at the same time with

to the prince: when Syluester asserted these things: and he was still a Gentile: he said: through the clamor

yours most sacredly, the emperor: since every day more than 20 die

than six thousand men of promiscuous sex and age: and there is no other kind of remedy

except as it pleases: and this is necessary, that once he is angry about our contempt

to be complacent with extended functions. Saint Sylvester answered and said: Show me

to me from those who die or one which | the most Christian theme. Calpur-

Nius said: therefore, if he does not offend the Christians: go down to him yourself: and make him in 25

in the name of your god, or to cease for one year from the slaughter of the human race: that we may believe

To have the virtue of your divinity in Christ. To whom Saint Sylvester said: Christ

Indeed, my divinity, full of virtue, will deign to show virtue in this respect

his own But your hard hearts will agree to other things: which may be contrary and hostile

to be in your interests Calpurnius says to him: do as I said: so that he may cease in one year: 30

and we believe in the Christ whom you preach. Then blessed Sylvester said steadily:

Hear me most graciously, prince: command the universal pontiffs to be present at present

the unbelieving on the morrow with the prefect Calpurnius: as he alone promises here:

at the same time they also promise And the next day they were all present at the bridge

you will do with Calpurnius: they promised in the sight of Augustus: all of them believed in Christ. 35

turos: if Syluester had done it: so that the dragon would cease from harming men in one year.

Then Saint Sylvester preached to all the holy and spiritual men who had been invited

a three-day fast in every church, and an insistence on prayer: that the Lord might be pleased

the wounded Christ to consult for the salvation of men and to demonstrate the power of his name.

And so on the third day at the end of the appointed fast, Bishop Syluester saw the blessed Peter 40

the apostle in a vision uttering such admonitions to him: take with you Theodore and

Dionysius and the Blessed Presbyters and Honoratum and the Roman Deacons: with

come down to them only: come down only to the sacrament of Christ: be not afraid:

let not thy heart be troubled: but, rejoicing in God, approach the dragon: in which

sathanas dwells: and say to him: lesus Christ the Lord, born of the holy spirit and Mary 45

Crucified and buried as a virgin, he rose again and ascended into heaven: he now sits at the right hand

Father: He is coming to judge the living and the dead. wait for him fixed in this place:

while he comes: And when I say this he lay hold of him, and bound his mouth with hempen linen

with a three-fold flat: |1 which you will carry with you and placing it on the wax: and you will seal it with a ring

who will have the sign of the cross carved on it. After this, take an iron chain of 50

you shall carry with you the gates of the regions which you shall find there having circles

you will bring them to you: and in their circles you will introduce a chain: and when you are closed you will say.

This is what Peter the Apostle of Christ says: These doors will not be opened except on the day of judgment.

I am the lock of the chain where you will be buried: And ascending thence you will come to me open

by my confession: you will find there the bread prepared for you by me: from it you will be refreshed with 55

with all those with whom you entered: immediately put away all poison from you and

of them: and you shall present the salvation of yourself and them to the Christian prince together with the people. Descend

and on the day of Saint Sylvester, all the Christians in the churches bowed with joy

II. – 34

530 SYLVESTER [cclxxxli^ –

asking heaven for help And the pontiffs of the temples sent Porphyry with him

and the magicians of Torquatus, saying: these are following from afar to tell us that you have arrived

acl the dragon Blessed Syluester went down praying with the aforesaid priests and

deacons for one hundred and fifty degrees. But Porphyry and Torquatus sacrificed

5 singing and invoking demons descended after them. But when they arrived at the blast

of the dragon Porphyry and Torquatus were torn apart by distress, and they fell. Saint

Sylvester, with his priests and deacons, went in to the dragon and said everything to him

It has been said above: And he bound his mouth and sealed it with wax, and going out he closed the airy doors.

and fulfilled all that had been pronounced by the holy apostle. But coming to

10 Porphyry and Torquatus Syluesler, the bishop, found them wandering on the ground

too narrow^^ : and having made a prayer he released them and brought them out with him : who soon as he ascended

running with a healthy speed, they brought the books of their wares and

throwing them at the feet of Saint Sylvester in the presence of all the people and in the presence of all the bridge

They burned them with fire, saying: let them burn like this, and let those who do not burn like this burn

15 they believe in the Christ of God lium: which Syluester heralds. But having passed one

in the year all the servants of the dragon were proving among themselves: that he had indeed been overcome by the dragon and

closed: prostrating themselves at the feet of Saint Syluester, they all believed in Chrislo:

And so it happened: that the Roman people were freed from a double death, that is, from culture

of the dragon and of his venom. In the same year thirty thousand men were baptized

20 except the little ones and the women: and no breath of the dragon at all appeared from that day

and so forth. And the Emperor Constantine ordered this law to be proposed by all

the largest cities the title of Constantine Augustus throughout the Ronian world in all the cities

safety of the citizens To approach the culture of the most high God, those who differ greatly: not a little

I admire with sorrow the error of your honor: I will serve you when we see men

25 mortal in age and temporal condition: and thus we rise up in life’s increments easily:

so that we do not waste our money on the whole at all. Nor a true god or just fear

let us return, or worship with due religion: not only the witness of the acts, but also the breast-

seeing the secrets of rum. He also instilled in us the spirit of the universal age

He himself is one and the same without any association of power: who in

30. The trinity alone governs the kingdom above all greatness

the invisible and all-powerful human being can compra^hende himself in his own right

Standing in a state of power: He is not looked upon by human eyes.

and holding in itself the universality of things: from which the nature of all things took its origin:

It is strange: our body is made of bones and flesh in the contemplation of God

35 It is not possible to bring the line of the eyes to the heavenly and true author of the eternal

and the kingdom of the world and of the whole world

can be blinded: when I slay that frail human weakness: the splendor of the sun

he treats and takes away from the faculty of understanding the truth. So he met us with evil thoughts

they will leave the dark hairs of Iline and

40 praise his glory and praise the castle with his voice. We need to be healthy pcr degree

let us proceed in a clear and clear manner, and let us direct the order, desisting from error

ours should be most lively towards those things which are better and more useful: especially: this should be the course

more illustrious and more illustrious: whom the divine flag points out: than he who is clouded

He rests upon the whole of the human race: that he may lull his mind by the word of God. VA is therefore indo-

45 With weary running let us open to God the almighty creator and our redeemer: and the law which

Iribuil

that life is the light of learning: And to those who are blind

let them dedicate their majesty He alone told us to submit our necks. .To be thrown away

error, therefore: and to resort to that purpose which enables us to reach the aileron of light

50 pcrduce clarity For those who worship the true god with a clean chin should worship the eternal goddess

and they will draw lots for the castle and for the sweetness. Therefore I say this to Constantine

The auspiciousness of the religious mind is terrible for all men to write down the holy words

I crodied to be declared: as the one who gave birth to the gods, he was now equal to him

I mount the religious worship due to divine piety. Let’s wash it quickly to the sole

55 the glory of the omnipotent God: we exhort the immortal gift to me that is burdensome to all.

For on this account internal wars are decided by men: no more anyone

he will fight with swords: aul ccrtc nccessitatom famis will slininot. Two of the most pious

A mouse and a most pious man, having been provoked by his merits, will give to the Lord, who has been propitiated by the wicked

Acts/Life of Constantine

LIFE OF THE EMPEROR CONSTANTINE, GREAT AMONG SAINTS AND THE EQUAL OF THE APOSTLES.^[1]

Vita Constantini e cod. Patm. 179, s. XII-XIII, f.4-25 (BHG 365n)

[Translated by Mark Vermes]^[2]

 1. Diocletian and Maximian Galerius were in charge of the Roman empire.^[3] Maximian Herculius came from a humble garrison town now called Ardamares, but formerly Hercula.^[4] As he was poor he was hired by a widow woman to carry for sale on his own shoulders every day seething charcoal into the city of Thessalonici which was nearby. He went on a military expedition and showed acts of great bravery in war in view of Diocletian. So Diocletian chose him as husband for his daughter^[5] and made him emperor equivalent to the others. They divided the empire and Diocletian himself was appointed to rule Rome, with Maximian Galerius in charge of the Eastern empire, while Maximian Herculius was master of the islands of Europe and the gulf of Thessaly.^[6] In their time countless numbers known only to God were wreathed in the garland of martyrdom. The impious Diocletian and Maximian Herculius were now as it were filled to satiety with those suffering for Christ, and carried away by the madness of arrogance. Moreover they were affected by indignation that they might become patrons to the martyrs of the eternal blessings which they had rightly heard described by many saints. So by arrangement they gave up the emperorship to follow a simple private lifestyle. In their folly they considered that as they were now approaching old age they would die very shortly, and that if their death took place in private they would be deified and reported to all as having achieved immortality by the people in their households. So they withdrew from the emperorship for this purpose, and Maxentius in their place was made emperor of Rome and Thessaly.^[7] Galerius continued in the Eastern areas, as has already been said. They were both wild beasts and pursued every kind of evil, in particular showing irrepressible fury against the Christians.

2. During this period the emperor Constans while still tribune of Britain went to make war on the Sarmatae.^[8] He overcame them by force and withdrew with a great victory. Wishing to rest his army at a particular place^[9] he found an inn, where dwelt a beautiful girl of Greek religion called Helena. He was enamoured and went to bed with her, and that night the woman conceived. He rose at dawn and in token of their union gave her a scarlet cloak and a gold bracelet.^[10] Then he set off with his army and returned to his own country. Following his valiant achievements the authorities in his city assembly crowned him emperor. Now Constans had already by his own wife a son who was an imbecile. In sorrow over this he held a council with his leaders and those in authority. Then he sent bodyguards out to the East to search for a handsome clever child which could be brought up as his son. This was certainly the work of divine providence. Those who were despatched travelled along that same route by which Constans had returned from his war with the Sarmatae. They stopped at the inn where Helena was. They tied up their horses at the front of the hostelry, and went inside to enjoy the hospitality. Helena’s son Constantine, fathered by the emperor Constans when he was a tribune as has been described, was about ten years old. With the pleasure of a little boy, or perhaps rather summoned by divine providence to his imperial inheritance, he was enticed by the horses. One of the bodyguards came out and saw him sitting on a horse, and crossly gave him a slap, saying: “Don’t be naughty. You’re too young to go riding.” The boy was hurt and went crying to his mother. She first cuddled him, then said to the one who had hit him: “Friend, don’t strike the child, for he is the emperor’s son.” The bodyguard replied: “The emperor has only one son and he’s a halfwit.” But Helena continued swearing by her own gods and Caesar’s salvation that he was the emperor’s son. As they still did not believe her, Helena explained the events following the victory over the Sarmatae and the withdrawal of Constans while he was still a tribune. At once she displayed the things that he had given her. When they saw the scarlet cloak and the gold bracelet they were convinced and overwhelmed with joy. They took the boy and the afore-mentioned gifts and returned in haste to the emperor, and placed the boy Constantine in front of him. They showed him as well the things given by him to Helena and said: “Recognise these things, emperor, which in your divinity you granted to a girl at an inn. Through her this boy is your son.” The emperor recognised them, and filled with joy and happiness he immediately embraced him, and gave him fifteen companions. With them he sent him off to the ruler of the East, Maximian Galerius, who was his friend, to be educated in the art of war and in Greek learning. But Constantine observed the terribly harsh tortures that were imposed on the Christians by the tyrant Maximian. The boy, who shunned evil as much as anyone and was of noble character, was very grieved and saddened at heart.^[11]

3. Now Diocletian after relinquishing the emperorship had reached Dalmatia in his travels. Due to divine wrath his tongue was split open and a large number of worms seethed out of his throat, causing his whole body to suffer from the torment, until piteously he lost his wretched life. In the same way Maximian Herculius while likewise on his travels in Tarsus in Cilicia finished his life in an awful state.^[12] Meanwhile Maximian Galerius in a false sense of security was leading a godless and savage lifestyle. He was a philanderer, so his subordinate officers, and even men of lesser rank, would hold a competition to conceal their own wives and daughters from the tyrant’s sight. He was so affected by the deception of the demons that led him astray that he would not refrain from doing anything or trying anything unless prophecy or witchcraft prevented him. Against the Christians he predicted not only utter destruction but also the seizure of their possessions through his own impiety.

He observed that Constantine was advancing handsomely to the prime of youth and was equipped with God-given intelligence. He suspected, or rather he received an omen, that Constantine would destroy his tyranny, and so he planned to kill him by a trick. What was his plot? It was the practice of the emperors in the East to show off their courage in the following manner: they would release into the theatre a bear without fangs or claws, which the men in charge had pulled out beforehand. The emperor would then enter and kill it with a cudgel. Similarly they released a lion also without teeth or claws which he would slay as well. After that came thirty men with dry sponges, with which apparently they would pelt the emperor, while he hurled stones at them until all thirty men fell. Amongst the shouts of the crowd would be: “Wonderful is the courage that fate has granted the emperor. Hooray for the fortune of the Romans!” When this spectacle was due to take place in the theatre, Galerius pretended to be ill and unable to enter the arena. So he instructed Constantine to conduct the slaughter of the animals, having previously told the men in charge to drive healthy fierce animals in front of him into the theatre, so that as has been said Constantine might be killed by an unsuspected cause. And so a fearsome bear was let into the arena, whereupon Constantine leapt in and immediately slew it. They did the same with a lion which he also killed on the spot. The thirty men who were wielding stones instead of sponges he despatched with his bare hands. Maximian in a rage threatened death against the men in charge. They had released the beasts with their claws and fangs intact, and by showing them in evidence they just avoided destruction. So the pious Constantine after learning what had happened made his escape to his own father Constans. When he died, Constantine became the successor to his father’s emperorship, on the 25th July in the first year of the 271st Olympiad.^[13]

4. About Constantine’s emperorship. In the January of the fifth year of his reign a large mob of barbarians assembled at the river Danube, aiming to cross it and to destroy the land of the Britons.^[14] Emperor Constantine gathered his whole army and approached the said river to prevent the enemy advance. He resisted their passage for many days and held them back, but when he saw the multitude was growing larger and larger and becoming countless, he was placed in a great dilemma. Then, as he hesitated to join battle, he saw before his eyes at night the holy light of a cross shining aloft, showing through the stars the message: “In this be victorious.” Seeking assiduously to find out which god the sign belonged to, he summoned the leaders of his people, and learnt from one of the Nazarenes – for this is what Christians were called in those days – that it was the sign of Christ, on which he was crucified for the salvation of mankind. He trusted whole-heartedly in God and fashioned his own sword into the shape of the sign that he had seen and ordered it to be carried ahead into battle. At an early engagement most of the barbarians were destroyed, while others perished in the river, and the remainder were defeated and taken prisoner. A very few of them were able to reach their own country and describe their total defeat. After this great and glorious victory, they returned with great joy and their God-given trophies to their own parts. From then on in alliance with God and with the cross of the Lord going ahead, the northern and western nations as far as the Ocean itself were subjugated to him. The result was peace and profound calm in the whole inhabited world under his sway.

5. About the war against Maxentius. Maxentius who at that time was ruling in Rome proved to be the most wicked of all those who had preceded him in Rome. He subjected the inhabitants and especially the Christians to many trials and punishments including putting them to death, exiling them and sending them into the mines. He also took advantage of Galerius’ brutal example. The residents of Rome were unable to tolerate this and sent an embassy to the very peaceable Constantine, asking him not to allow the mother of cities to be utterly destroyed by a cruel tyrant. Constantine sympathised with them and decided to liberate them from the evil of the cruel tyrant. But he was afraid of his sorcery and witchcraft and the dissection of individual babies that he practised for the purpose of prophecy.

About the stylus-shaped cross that he saw.  As he was engaged in deep thought, there appeared to him again, as he was on a field with his army about midday, a stylus-shaped cross formed from light, on which had been written: “Constantine, in this be victorious.” Full of alarm the emperor asked his companions whether they too saw the same thing. They admitted that they had seen the same vision. So with his confidence restored, and full of courage and enthusiasm, that very same night the Lord appeared to him saying: “Use the sign that has been shown to you and you will. defeat all your enemies. And you will found a city for my mother, God-bearing Mary, towards the East in a place I myself shall show you.” He awoke full of faith and made a copy of the cross from pure gold and ordered it to be carried before him into battle. This is preserved up to the present day in the imperial palace.

The impious tyrant Maxentius, reliant on his sorcery and his demons, built a bridge of many ships across the river that flows through Rome. Then he went out to make war on Constantine. There was a clash, and the enemy lines were obliterated by the power of the cross, and most of them fell. The tyrant with the remainder of his mob took flight to the city and made a stand on the bridge. But it straight away was broken by divine power and hurled them all into the depths of the river.

 The beginning of Constantine’s reign in Rome.  The Romans came out in great joy and with garlands to receive the victory-winning cross and the divinely crowned emperor Constantine. At once the pro-Christian emperor ordered that the relics of the holy martyrs and faithful be properly anointed and laid in prominent and salubrious places, and that the Christians in exile and in the mines should be recalled with honour. They all held a victory feast for seven days, singing hymns and giving glory to God, honouring the admirable and venerable cross of the Lord, and magnifying the pious emperor Constantine. This was the seventh year of his reign. Anyone who wishes to study in detail these events in sequence, should turn to the Life of our father among the saints Silvester, who was bishop in Rome at the time, by whom Constantine was judged worthy of holy baptism, where a fuller account will be found. Because of the length of the story I have omitted it.

6. When he heard of these events Maximian Galerius the ruler of the East, as has been said earlier, had turned out to have refrained a little from his madness and threatening behaviour towards the Christians. Nevertheless, emboldened by the number of his demons and sorcerers, he too armed himself for war against the great Constantine. The pious emperor Constantine, strengthened by the invincible power of the cross, set out against him, taking with him Licinius who had recently become related by marrying Constantine’s sister after his victory in the war. Constantine made him emperor of a reasonable tract of land after requesting from him an agreement that he would never contrive any harm against the Christians. But this happened later. When the encounter took place and the venerable cross appeared, the tyrant’s army could not withstand the assault and turned in flight. Many were cut down, and the rest abandoned the war and joined sides with the ruler Constantine. The most impious emperor Maximian threw away the seals of emperorship so that he would not be recognised as he fled as one of the army. He went around from village to village in secret, and with great difficulty with a few of his most loyal followers reached his home with nothing. He assembled the priests of his so-called gods, the prophets and seers and men renowned for sorcery whom previously he had honoured. with devotion, and as cheats and deceivers and plotters against his emperorship he executed them at that very hour. He was about to fall into the hands of the emperor – for Constantine had pursued him and was still at war – but divine anger intervened and destroyed him. A fire from the depths of his guts had seized his limbs and created intolerable pains in him. His eyes were ejected by the burning force, and his flesh parted from his bones, and in such a state the wretched man pitifully took his own life. With the tyrants thus removed from the scene, the world enjoyed a secure and profound peace, and the position of the Christians reached new heights in every respect and in all nations the cross of Christ was glorified.

7. About the emperorship of Licinius. Now Licinius had taken charge in Bithynia as has been said, but he was not satisfied with enjoying his good fortune, but forgot his agreement and brought many intolerable ordeals to bear on the Christians. This did not escape the notice of the pious emperor. First he reprimanded him by entreaty in letters, and then he confronted him with dire instructions. When he found Licinius inflexible, he initiated and proceeded to make war on him. He captured him alive and banished him in exile to Thessalonici. But he was in the words of the proverb ‘washing an Ethiopian’. For in Thessalonici Licinius, though condemned to live there and being under amnesty, was not prepared to live quietly, but hired natives and armed himself against the pious emperor. By. hiring these men the wretched man was purchasing his own death. For when the emperor learned of it, he at ‘Once made arrangements to have his head cut off. Now that this scoundrel was out of the way for good, affairs enjoyed perfect peace. At this time Macarius was bishop of Jerusalem, a practitioner of every virtue and most honourable before God. He had succeeded Hermonas.

Meanwhile the pious and great Constantine was enjoying complete security now that affairs were going as he expected, and he devoted all his concern to religious matters. He began rebuilding the shrines of God with due respect, enriching them from the public accounts with money and expenditure and all kinds of treasures. Those of the pagans he totally demolished, and assigned their revenues to the august churches of the Christians. He published a first law, that the shrines of the idols be given to those committed to Christ, and that men who still worshipped idols should face the death penalty. He then issued a second law that only Christians should serve as soldiers and be in command of natives and armies. In addition he prescribed a third law, that there should be no work done in the two weeks at the festival of Easter, the week before the festival and the week after it. With these arrangements in place there was universal joy and profound peace in the whole world under his sway, so that all nations individually came to faith and were baptized, and shattered their ancestral gods with their own hands.

 8. About the building of the city. During these days there came to mind the instruction he had received from the Lord in a dream near Rome, which was to build a city for the mother of God, as he said “in the place I myself shall show you”. So in his search through lands and regions he reached Thessalonici. When he saw its mountains and plains with their easy connection to the sea, and that it was well supplied with water and generally abundant, he thought this was the place that God wanted for the foundation. He spent two periods there and built churches wonderful for their size, beauty and adornment, and inaugurated enormous gracious baths. He also laid in water supplies to serve every need of the citizens, but when he saw that a plague was threatening the place, in great distress he abandoned it. He travelled to Chalcedon in Bithynia and finding it long since demolished by the Persians he determined to make his foundation here. Without further ado he set about starting the work, but eagles took the workers’ plumb lines and carried them off to Byzantium. This happened many times and when the emperor learned of it he did not know what to do. Then one of his intimate servants called Euphratas said this: “There is the place, master, that the Lord wants the building of the city for his mother, the holy mother of God.” The emperor was pleased by this suggestion and straight away went across there, inspected the place which was then a bare hillside, and put Euphratas in charge of the work, with instructions to build a city that would please the mother of God. He gave him plenty of assistance and lots of money, and told him to take what would help him from the surrounding country. This was in the twelfth year of his emperorship.

9. At this juncture the Persians launched an expedition against Rome. The emperor found out about it and set out to meet them. Now the Roman generals did not possess detailed knowledge of the routes inside Persian territory, in fact they were completely ignorant about them, so the Persians took advantage of their close familiarity with them and attacked the Romans at night. They killed many of them, and prepared to attack unobserved the majority who had fled into nearby strongholds. Among them the martyr Eusignius took refuge in the emergency with a number of others in a thicket. He it is who was to give a clearer account of these events before Julian the Apostate at the time of his martyrdom for Christ. Others were taken prisoner, among them the emperor Constantine who was overpowered and condemned to serve as a sacrificial victim to their idol. But reflect on God’s goodness, and how he provides a way when there seems no way out! The guards of the abominable rite of the Persians went out to gather wood that they would need for the sacrifice, and when they approached the place where a few men were hidden and began trying to cut the brushwood, the men leapt out and overwhelmed them. They were dragged into the thicket. Then they asked them to tell in all truth what had happened to the Roman emperor. They were panic stricken and clasped their feet, saying: “We are slaves of the Persians, as you can see, though we too are Romans. If our lives are saved, we will tell you everything in detail. If you like, you can trust us. We will also suggest a very useful plan.” And after making an oath to them the guards continued: “The king of the Persians and his rulers have announced the celebration of his birthday in the temple of their god and that your emperor will be produced as a sacrifice. If you are willing, listen to us without suspecting any trap. For as we said before, we too are Romans and care more for the safety of our compatriots than that of the Persians. And our earnest desire has long been to tread on Roman soil. Around the altar is a high wall, the enclosure that we call the temple. The middle parts of the temple are covered over, but the parts around it have no roof. All the people enter this temple with the king. Since it is the Persians’ custom to approach any sacrifice without even the weapons they have on them, we can lead you into the temple in the evening, if you are in agreement. The next day, when the crowd comes in, we will place you behind the gates. At the moment when your emperor is about to be sacrificed, we will close the gates and join you in cutting down the Persians. And we shall liberate your emperor.”

The Romans put their faith in their words, and at dead of night they followed them and were brought inside the temple where they enjoyed breakfast and a rest. At dawn the heralds shouted, and they stood behind the doors with their weapons concealed. The whole Persian assemblage entered. Emperor Constantine was led forward in chains and placed next to the altar. As the Persians were dancing, the guards in accordance with their promise secured the gates and bade the Romans cut down the Persians. They released the emperor Constantine from his bonds and produced weapons and joined in equally in the slaughter. All the Persians in the temple along with their king were killed. “Great you are, God of the Christians,” shouted the Romans, “and who apart from you works miracles without number?” Then they came out of the temple following the guards and overran all the sentry posts and freed any men in them that were Romans. But the Persians that they encountered they killed without mercy, while the men who were hidden in the mountains they called out through heralds. Then they returned to the stronghold where they had carried out the massacre, and after setting in order the arrangements for the journey they entered Byzantium, wreaking great destruction in the villages they found en route. So that is what occurred.

10. Now envy flourishes everywhere and the malignant eye cannot bear to look on success. Euphratas had been appointed to supervise the foundation of the city, as has been said earlier. First of all he was creating the inflow and outflow of the water channels according to the lie of the land, and digging wells. and laying underground cisterns from place to place. He was unable to display any of the work to the light of day, and some men denounced him before the emperor, saying: “The money that was given from your empire to Euphratas has been wastefully squandered by him and he has not even begun at all his task because he holds you in contempt. But if he hears that you are visiting, he will probably run away.” The emperor listened to these allegations, but because he would not listen to a mere tell-tale or because he was showing special treatment to Euphratas, he travelled to Chalcedon to investigate them. Again the allegations were repeated, with men saying: “See, lord, he has not even cut down the wood on the hill.” So they confirmed plainly what had been said before. However the emperor continued with the same intention; – but consider the good disposition of the emperor! For when Euphratas came before him, he said no hostile word towards him, but instead appeared friendly by his expression and said: “How is the city going?” Euphratas replied: “Fine, master, in line with your instructions.” The emperor asked: “Why then can we see no sign of it?” Euphratas answered: “If your majesty is in agreement, we will cross the sea so that you can see precisely what we have achieved.” This is what happened and he led in the emperor on horseback with a large retinue carrying torches from the colonnade of the area of Eugenius which neighbours the sea, and he led him through the underground series of vaults as far as the foundation of the great column on which the statue of the emperor rests. This was brought from Rome and set up by his blessed mother, and is now called the Phoros. There were to be seen many and frequent underground vaults which completed the whole circuit of the circular structure which was visible above, each formed from a buttress and a column. From them great colonnades were laid in a straight line towards the sea on each side, through which all the refuse from the meat markets and the sewers could be discharged. The emperor marvelled at all this but was unable to understand what it meant. Euphratas said: “Cities can make use of these, master, when there are heavy rains, by them taking the overflow so the citizens are completely safe. It also makes building the walls very straightforward.” Hearing this the emperor was amazed at the man’s intelligence, and gave great thanks to God for inspiring these ideas in Euphratas, and he praised him very highly. He rewarded him with great honours, and said: “Since you have decided that the construction is to be like this, I trust that you will also make haste to build the place for God and that you will bring to live here not only Romans but also people of all nations.” Euphratas replied: “This shall I do, God willing. But I make one request of your majesty: when you are about to withdraw your imperial presence from here, take the signet rings from the leaders of the Senate and mark each of them and send them in a letter to me.” The emperor promised to do this, and carried out his promise at a convenient time. This was the fourteenth year of his emperorship.

11. Persian invasion. The Persians were unwilling to tolerate the unexpected slaughter that they had suffered at the hands of the Romans. When they learned the emperor was staying in Bithynia, they marched straight for Chalcedon with their whole army, ravaging all the lands, and setting fire to the temples, towns and dwellings and everything they they found on their way. When they had reached Chalcedon, as they did not have the strength to cross the sea, here they halted their journey.

Roman expedition.  The pious emperor heard about their invasion, gathered together his army and crossed through Macedonia. While he was approaching Persian territory he first secured the roads that led to Bithynia. Then he changed the appearance of the soldiers so that they would not be recognised as being Romans. In this way he entered Persian lands. He found only women and children, and separated the women and killed them. Any that were pregnant, they pretended to roast their embryos and eat them. The children they tied up and beat them with threshing implements as if it were harvest time. They did many other strange acts so that they would not be recognised for who they were.

At this the Persian queen made use of places of refuge in the area, and sent frequent letters every day to her own husband to make clear her situation. But the men of the pious emperor who had secured the roads as has been said passed all these letters into his hands. This continued to happen for a whole year. After this she managed to get a letter through to the Persian king. Emperor Constantine discovered this and straightaway withdrew from Persian territory, and set up a close guard on the roads. So that was what took place. When the Persians learned of the disconcerting turn of events from the letters that had got through, each of them with all speed and without a thought for their king, and lacking any military formation, hurried away to their own homes. Hence it is said that the creatures now called ‘wolf-panthers’ were their dogs, which were abandoned by them at this time and grew wild like wild cubs and ran off towards the East, while none of them at all are found in the regions of Thrace. When the Persians in their small numbers encountered the Romans who were guarding the roads, they were killed by them without mercy. Their king heard of this and received the survivors and took to flight by trackless empty mountains and secured his own safety. At these successes won by the holy and adorable cross the pious emperor was glorified and the whole army gratified, and they returned to their own lands.

12. Now Euphratas – for the narrative is obliged to return to him again – had received from the emperor the signet rings of the leading men. He summoned men with knowledge of the leaders’ houses at Rome and appointed houses to be built following the design of each house, with exact similarities as to setting and position with regard to air and sea. Then he sent by letters, and with the security of boats, the leaders’ actual signet rings to their wives as if from their own husbands. They did not realise the deception, but rather filled with joy that they were on their way to their own husbands, embarked on the boats with all their most valuable possessions and with their whole household they all reached Byzantium. There they entered the city built for the mother of God, and each of them went to the house that had been made the same as hers in Rome, filled with extraordinary amazement. For the entrance of each house was the same as that in Rome; the protective rampart was identical, the well was the same, the gardens in the same shape and appearance, the rooms, the colonnades and all the rest had a genuine resemblance to those in Rome. So each of them thanked their divinity as best they were able and awaited the arrival of their own husbands. Meanwhile the most pious emperor Constantine had returned to Chalcedon with his army after his destruction of Persia. The most loyal Euphratas was the first to meet him and made the following proposal: “When your majesty returns to the palace at dead of night with your boats, then give each leader by the hand to me to escort to his own home. What happens next you will learn later.” So the emperor returned to the palace as arranged and taking each of the leaders by the hand passed him on to Euphratas, saying: “Take him to his own house.” He went off with torches and a large bodyguard. Each man stood at the gates of the house and inspected the entrance, inspected the outward impression of the house, and in particular its appearance, and the surprised shout of the servant girls and the uproar that passed among the servants, and the greeting of his children and the embrace of his wife. He was astonished and could not explain it, but heard his relatives saying: “We received your letter and boats, and came to find things here.” And for more certain confirmation they displayed the letter itself and the signet ring. While they were all engaged in this, the night passed without any sleep. At first light they all with one accord gathered before the emperor and showed their amazement at his scheme. “Why did you persuade us” they asked “to live as foreigners, and how did you make us become immigrants?” He replied with a gentle countenance: “It is the mother of God who summoned you. And I trust in Christ who was born her son, our true God, that we shall not be short of anything, but shall be filled with his blessings beyond our desire.” Then he ordered that each should be given three times the lands that he possessed in Rome, and plenty of money from the imperial treasuries for their improvement, because they had been stripped bare by the Persians. So all were delighted, and chose to stay in the city under God’s protection.

13. About how the city was named Constantinople. During these days it is said that the mother of God appeared in dreams to some particularly reverent men and said: “It is my wish, reliant on my special association with my son and Lord, that because of the emperor Constantine’s good character Byzantium should be renamed Constantinople.” This was the sixteenth year of Constantine’s emperorship.

The first Synod.  In the nineteenth year of his emperorship, the first holy synod of the three hundred sacred and holy fathers was summoned at Nicaea to act against the impious Arius.

Now Euphratas was providing food supplies and houses for those from every city and land who chose to settle in Constantinople, and he was becoming very successful. He built an enclosure round the walls he had laid in a circle, where today the great colonnade of Taurus stands, and he made it secure with fortresses from one sea to the other. Soon afterwards he saw that it was filled with people as far as the colonnade Bous, and he extended the protection to cover this, which is how ‘the Second’ got its name from the enclosure of the wall.

The emperor Constantine had three sons born to him by Maximiana daughter of Diocletian. The eldest, Constantine, took his father’s name and he became ruler of the West. The second was Constans, who ruled the East. And Constantius the third was chosen by lot to be ruler of Europe.

From now on Euphratas embarked on building the churches of God and the holy places in accordance with the instructions of the devout emperor. He completed many with the assistance of God and with the faultless strong hand of the emperor. Among them he built the great church of God, which shall be described later on. Now the account should pass on to the finding of the holy cross.

14. About the finding of the venerable cross. Now that the Romans together with the pious emperor Constantine had been granted to settle in Constantinople, the emperor did not consider it right that his mother should not be with him, so he fetched her from Rome. She explained that a divine vision had come over her, bidding her to travel to Jerusalem to effect the discovery of the venerable cross of Christ our Lord and the exposure of the holy sites. So she was despatched with a huge sum of money and everything else she might require. She reached the holy places and conducted the search for the sacred cross, and found it buried far in the depths of the earth. This had certainly been the result of God’s will, to prevent the cross being destroyed by fire when Jerusalem was burnt in the destruction of Vespasian. It had been buried in the following manner.

The impious Jews were consumed by malice following the ascension to Heaven of our saviour and Lord Jesus Christ, and they dug a large deep excavation just next to the holy tomb, and cast into it the cross and its pedestal and the nails. Everything else, namely the spear, the reed and the sponge, was hidden by some other friends of the Lord. Then they heaped together very many mounds of earth and concealed the holy tomb itself, and above it they founded a temple to Aphrodite and set up on the temple an idol appropriate to her. The wretches thought that, as some Christians were trying to bring the things requisite for a memorial and wanting to honour Christ through holy ritual, they would not be able to worship him at that place because of its defilement through the abomination of Aphrodite. But God who works miracles was revealed again.

About the plant called ‘basilicon’.  There sprouted there a plant which is called ‘basil’ by doctors, and ‘basilicon’ by the public, extremely fragrant and beneficial to invalids. When the Jews who always oppose the truth saw this and realised that such things were the product of divine power, they never stopped trying to uproot it every way they could, trampling it and obliterating it. But it flourished all the more in appearance and fragrance.

Thus the sacred tomb and the life-giving cross were discovered through the efforts and enthusiasm of the blessed Helena on the 22nd of April by Judas who was surnamed Kuriakos in holy baptism. He later became bishop of Jerusalem and suffered publicly along with his mother Anna at the hand of Julian the apostate and famously won the crown of martyrdom.

15. About the elevation of the venerable cross. So the most blessed Helena built a beautiful church at sacred Golgotha and placed the cross there. On the 14th of September, in the plain light of day, as a mass of people attended the church, suddenly in view of all of them the roof of the temple was opened and the cross flew up, leaving in its place only the pedestal on which it had stood. As it passed through the opened roof of the church it was raised up as far as Heaven, and they all cried out with one voice: “Lord, have mercy.” Thus was fulfilled the verse of prophecy which says: “Raise up our Lord God and bow down before the pedestal of his feet, for he is holy.” Likewise the great Ephraim the Syrian, in his work praising the just Joseph, when he reveals precisely to his readers the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and confirms the destruction of the wretched Jews, says: “And Christ will come from Heaven holding in his hands the very cross and showing to the Jews not only it, but also the wounds on his hands and feet and in his side. They will recognise both the cross itself and the Son of God who was crucified by them.”

The blessed Helena was afraid that something similar might happen also to the pedestal of the cross, for it too had been stained with drops from the Lord’s side and with blood from his sacred feet. At that same hour with prayerful entreaty to Macarius, the bishop among the saints, she cut out from it a replica of the cross that had been taken up, although smaller in dimensions, and when it was finished she set it up. This was the one that some time later^[15] was captured by the Persians and recovered again by emperor Herac1ius. And she sent word to all the churches.

As for the nails of the inviolate hands and feet of the Lord Jesus Christ, one of them she placed on the bridle of the emperor Constantine her son, so as to fulfil the prophetic verse which says: “And there will be in those days that which on the bridle of the king’s horse will be called sacred to the Lord.” The second nail she fastened on his head-dress in the form of a cross, and the other two she placed on the monument which the Romans built for Constantine in return for their liberation from the tyrant Maximian. It was she who brought it to Constantinople and set it up on the great column in the place called the Forum.

16. Helena built various poor-houses and monasteries, and also shrines in the places where Christ our Lord had manifestly worked miracles, in particular holy Zion, as shall be described shortly. She founded guest-houses and ensured that the needs of each af all the places mentioned would be met annually by the state, and then she returned to her own son.

The total number of years from Adam up to the bodily incarnation of the Word of God, that is his birth from the mother of God the ever virgin Mary, is five thousand five hundred; from his incarnation up to the cross thirty three; and from the ascension of our Lord and God Jesus Christ up to the discovery of the venerable cross were three hundred and nineteen years. So there were altogether from Adam up to the discovery of the venerable cross five thousand eight hundred and fifty two years.

Blessed Helena died at her son’s side in Constantinople at the age of eighty, having given him much instruction about Christian piety and faith. She was laid to rest in the church of the holy apostles, which pious Constantine had had built by Euphratas for the burial of imperial remains, and was august and beautiful and formed in a hexagon in the manner of Heaven.

Some days later there took place the consecration of the churches in holy Zion conducted by the great Athanasius in the following manner. Eusebius of Nicomedia had been excommunicated by the three hundred and eighteen holy fathers at Nicaea and been sent into exile with some others, but later he published a recantation and was recalled. When Germanus the most holy patriarch of Constantinople died, Eusebius was able to become master of the bishop’s throne of the sovereign city.^[16] He was sent by great emperor Constantine to conduct the consecration of the churches in Jerusalem, and he naturally took with him the great Athanasius of Alexandria.^[17] When they came into each other’s presence, as falsehood is always found to challenge truth, the bishop of Constantinople and the others embarked on slanders and false accusations against Athanasius. These were brushed aside like a spider’s web by the great Athanasius, but Eusebius was still intent on the destruction of Athanasius. When Athanasius realised this he reached Jerusalem as quickly as possible and solemnly consecrated the holy churches, and headed straight for the emperor. The emperor welcomed him gladly and sent him back to his own throne with all honour. So that is what took place.

17. About why the wood is called ‘tripartite’. Some people ask where the wood of the cross came from, and in what place and how its composition became tripartite, as it has a mixture of three types of wood, namely pine, cedar and cypress, and how it was found in the days of the crucifIxion of the Lord. We who always seek the truth, O my spiritual brothers, can say that we have not heard a story from any devout man saying anything about this other than that at Beirut, when we were staying with some Christians and by chance this inquiry was mentioned by us, we were shown a letter of an ancient Hebrew sent to a close friend of his who was also making an investigation into the wood,^[18] which read as follows: “There are two rivers in Palestine, the Jor and the Dan, which unite at the same point as they form one river the Jordan, a river which takes its name from the uniting of the waters and the conjunction of their names. Between the junction of the rivers, and in fact close to the merger of the two, great Abraham was once passing in those days, and he chanced to find a character who kept cattle, lamenting and groaning at his unusual sin. Great Abraham said to him: ‘If you want to appease the Lord, brother, fetch me three fire-brands.’ When this was done, Abraham withdrew about half a stade from both rivers, and placed them in a triangle so they stood about six feet from each other, and said: ‘Each day you must water each of the sticks with forty jars. And if inside forty days the sticks come alive and take root, then you will know that God takes mercy on you. If not, then I shall see you again and tell you what to do.’ The man did what he was instructed. When forty days had passed the fire-brands were growing, and he was invigorated and went to great Abraham at the oak tree. It is said that these three fire-brands as they grew were united with the other two, and that though they had separate roots and their tops were similarly divided from each other, the whole of their middle was one in an inseparable union, and each was totally unable to be parted one from the others. Some say that this was the staff of Elisha by means of which the salty waters became drinkable. But that staff is known to have been of one wood and of one type, whereas that of the cross is formed of three. So it is clear. that those who make that claim are mistaken. This wood, which can be described as seasoned, satisfied the craftsmen at the building of Solomon’s temple, and was cut down and brought into the temple. When it lay down below it was of a different length, but when it was brought up to the roof it was a long way short of the walls. And so it was brought down. Solomon was very impressed by the seasoned beauty of the wood and did not want it to be left unused, so he measured it again. It was more than long enough. But when it was taken up it was again found short, and Solomon realised that what had happened must be the work of God’s will. So he placed it inside the temple until the cessation of the works. When the temple was completed and king Solomon was showing its beauties to the Sibyl of Erythrae for her to admire, and bade her sit down on the afore-mentioned wood, she became filled with her gift of prophecy and refused the seat, saying of the wood: ‘O thrice-blessed wood, on which Christ the king and Lord will be stretched.’^[19] or rather how its works shine more brightly than the sun, I shall proceed to relate.

18. Jebusai or Jerusalem was ruled in ancient times by the prophet David. At its easternmost part Mount Zion, a name which means ‘high’,^[21] lay facing the city, with a small plain lying between the mountain and the city. On this plain is the site of Golgotha called ‘Lithostratos’ and the garden and the tomb of the Lord, and the house of John the Divine, about which I shall tell shortly, and everything relating to the last days of Christ can be found on this plain. It so happened that six towers of Jerusalem facing towards Mount Zion were demolished by an earthquake and rebuilt by David. In the final capture of Jerusalem when in accordance with the Lord’s prophecy no stone was found still on another stone, only those six towers built by David were seen to be standing intact. The blessed Helena constructed a wall from these six towers and extended it back to them in a circle joining the eastern part of Jerusalem, so that she attached and enclosed within it all the aforementioned plain and a small part of the mountain. So she arranged that all the parts outside Jerusalem were within what is now called Zion, and she renamed the city Zion, not only because of the mountain which is adjacent as described, but also because of the house of the great John the Divine, which has the following explanation.

James and John the sons of Zebedee used to have houses inside Jerusalem near to Caiaphas the high priest. They sold these to Caiaphas and bought houses outside the city, near to Mount Zion. It was there that Jesus sent despatch with the words: “You will find a donkey tied up and a foal with her.” And “There”, he said to those who asked him, “make ready the Passover.” In this house of the Evangelist took place the supper and the washing of the disciples’ feet. There Christ was seen by the eleven disciples behind locked doors after he had risen from the tomb. In this house the descent of the Holy Spirit occurred, and the mother of God lived there from the time when John heard the Saviour say as he was on the cross: “Behold your mother.” The venerable and truly saintly Helena rebuilt this house as a beautiful church and renamed it ‘Saint Zion’.

19. About Saint Sophia. Euphratas -for the account now returns to him in full circle – wanted to build the shrine of God, I mean the great church which has also been called ‘Sophia’. He surveyed the whole area of the city and went round the hills. When after his inspection he had found one better than the others on which it now stands, with a huge effort he engineered the elements of the foundations. Down below he secured them for all time by means of enormous imperishable timbers, and he equipped them with channels dug in each small section so the moisture could escape. In addition he created many deep wells which range through the whole of the church and the surrounding vaults, and beyond through the neighbouring buildings some distance away from the church, so that not the slightest moisture could seep into the foundations. He employed all the skill of craftsmen and collected all the timber and quickly erected such a large church as high as its balcony, by directly communicating to the builders enthusiasm each to use their particular skill.

Death of Constantine the Great.  At this period while the church was in progress, Constantine, crowned by God, went to be with the Lord at the age of sixty five, after a life of piety pleasing to God and having reigned for thirty two years and ten months. The soldiers along with the Senate placed his remains in a gold sarcophagus and held a great lament, mourning him as a beloved father and not as a deceased emperor. Constantius the emperor of Europe arrived – for none of his sons had been present at his death – and buried him regally in the church of the holy apostles alongside his mother. For the great church had lately been built by Constantine and Irene.

20. About the apparition of the cross. During this period on the 28th July at midday a cross appeared above sacred Golgotha. At this time the most pious Cyril was bishop of the church in Jerusalem, that is to say holy Zion, after he had succeeded Maximinus.

After this Constantius the emperor of Europe completed the remaining building works of the great church of God with the aid of the aforementioned remarkable man Euphratas. He constructed the dome in an arch because of the size of the church, and made all parts of the church very beautiful, in particular he installed a platform – which the Greeks call a pulpit – made out of pure onyx.

Now Euphratas had reached an advanced age, and as he had built inside the city near to the wall facing Thrace a church dedicated to the Virgin Mary, he made this into an almshouse and there reached the end of his life. Some of the locals call this church situated near the Leomacellium ‘the Euphratas’.

About the consecration of Saint Sophia. So the church of God was consecrated by Eusebius the bishop of Constantinople who was mentioned earlier and who after his return from Alexandria was now loved very dearly by Constans. It was he who brought the relics of the saints Pamphilus, Isidorus and Theodoulus who were martyred under Maximian, and though he himself exercised his authority implacably against heretics, he laid them at the throne next to the altar.

21. Beginning of the reign of Julian. Soon afterwards Julian the Apostate took over the emblems of empire, but before he had reached the capital a large earthquake occurred which demolished the dome of the great church which has been described, that is Saint Sophia of the Word of God. It destroyed the pulpit and made unusable the area of the chancel along with the steps of the altar. From then on under Julian’s rule the churches of God were neglected. So this one remained shut. The impious man intended to curry favour with some of his people, should he return victorious from a war, by making this into a hay store and public stable. So he collected the shattered fragments of onyx from the pulpit and other parts and along with the ruins of the dome ordered them to be hurled into the sea. But his wanton lawlessness was proved to be in vain.

22. Beginning of the reign of Justinian. After many years Justinian became master of the empire. As he was a man devoted to God, but saw that the task was as huge as it was glorious, since he found the state impoverished but wanted to restore this church, he encountered the providence of God in the following way. A pious and worthy monk brought and gave him in his despair a large collection of gold coinage of ancient kings, and said: “May your emperorship accept this. And you will build the holy church of God, and make for me a small monastery as your memorial.” The emperor made arrangements to accept it, a huge quantity which was too large to be counted. Where it had come from I shall relate shortly.

He made the dome arched again exactly like the former design. When the leader of the craftsmen did not appear for a long time, because he was labouring to make the work complete, Justinian indulged in haste due to his impatience and ordered the removal of the wooden scaffolding. When this was removed the dome collapsed again just like before. The emperor was dismayed by this, when the leader of the builders arrived to criticise his haste and blame those who had gone along with it. However he proposed the best course of action, which is what took place and has lasted well. He contrived that there should be at both the feet of the two apses to East and West huge buttresses, reaching from the ground up to the curve of the apses, so that they could not easily deviate at their height but would support the dome like the recent ones. For the other two apses which joined with the arches had shown themselves strong. When everything described had been done accordingly, in the course of time the work achieved solidity, and up to today – for I have seen it with my own eyes – this roof has been wonderfully and marvellously preserved by the hand of God.

A strange and remarkable artifice was devised for the holy table of the altar. He collected a quantity of gold and silver, valuable stones, pearls, bronze, tin, and all the metals of the earth; and also trees and the types of plants that grow in the seas and rivers and lakes, I mean all those that can be seen with the eye and controlled with the hand; and in addition every liquid, juice and oil and in short everything that exists under God. He melted what could be melted and refined the arid parts away from the valuable parts, and melted the gold in a furnace, and then he put all the parts together and beautifully formed this table cast from all of them. Anyone who saw it would have said that this was the work not of human but of divine power. In addition he restored in silver what had previously been destroyed by the collapse of the dome, and dedicated great donations to the church which he secured in writing. He then came to the end of his life.

23. Since my account promised earlier to reveal the burial place of the money and where it came from, it will now proceed. Within the Roman dominion is a land which in their own dialect they call a province, which is known as Thrace. In this province in ancient times were many kingdoms in various places and each of them ruled a city and controlled a people, and was concerned with boundaries and cities and its strength for wars. This was the state of affairs when a band of Persians arrived from Italy, laying waste all the country. So the neighbouring kings of the Thracians gathered, that is the kings of Ephesus, of Sardis, of Pergamum, of Magnesia, of Trale and various others. They agreed a plan to unite and defeat the Persians, and to confirm the manner of their unity by this method: by collecting in one place all the money that they each possessed and having guards from all of them for fairness. When these terms had been agreed by all parties they made underground vaults in a hill, shut the money inside and posted guards jointly, and then they marched out against the Persians. The Persians defeated them and killed them and destroyed all their land. The guards hastened to save their lives by running away and the money was left in obscurity until the days of Justinian. At the beginning of his reign the aforementioned monk spotted the place as one which would be ideal for a life of quietude, and came to live there. He built a shelter and set about cultivating vegetables. As he struck down with his spade he heard a noise resounding from the ground. When this was repeated more clearly he found the blocked up entrance. Opening it with a great effort, he made a collection, closed it up again and went quickly to emperor Justinian. The emperor accepted this gold and restored the church of God as has been described, and he built a wonderful monastery for the particular monk, which in fact is called ‘Kainourgia’ up until the present time.

 24. So ends, my spiritual brothers, the recorded history of my period. I wanted to deliver it to you in person as I promised, and to greet you personally and enjoy my beloved land. But since God who has all power has decreed that my death should take place far away from you, I send you this work from Berroia which is next to Thessalonici by the hand of my brother Sabbas. May the God of peace grant me through your prayers a share with those who have loved him. To him be glory and power now and for ever and for all ages upon ages. Amen.