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| Outrages which took place at the time of Gregory's arrival.
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§3.
Outrages which took place at the time of Gregory’s
arrival.
Thus was this notable appointment of Gregory
brought about by the Arians, and such was the beginning of it. And what
outrages he committed on his entry into Alexandria, and of what great
evils that event has been the cause, you may learn both from our
letters, and by enquiry of those who are sojourning among you. While
the people were offended at such an unusual proceeding, and in
consequence assembled in the churches, in order to prevent the impiety
of the Arians from mingling itself with the faith of the Church,
Philagrius, who has long been a persecutor of the Church and her
virgins, and is now Prefect454
| 454 The
Prefect of Egypt was called [after 367, see Sievers, p. 119, and
Prolegg. ch. v. Appendix, yet see Apol. Ar. §83] Augustalis
as having been first appointed by Augustus, after his victories over
Antony. He was of the Equestrian, not, as other Prefects, of the
Senatorian order. He was the imperial officer, as answering to
Proprætors in the Imperial Provinces. vid. Hofman. in voc. [on
Philagrius, see Apol. c. Ari. §72, Prolegg. ch. ii. §5
(1) note]. | of Egypt, an apostate
already, and a fellow-countryman of Gregory, a man too of no
respectable character, and moreover supported by Eusebius and his
fellows, and therefore full of zeal
against the Church; this person, by means of promises which he
afterwards fulfilled, succeeded in gaining over the heathen multitude,
with the Jews and disorderly persons, and having excited their
passions, sent them in a body with swords and clubs into the churches
to attack the people.
What followed upon this455
| 455 Cf.
Hist. Ar. §9 and 10. Apparently the great Church of
‘Theonas’ is meant, see Fest. Index xi. | it is
by no means easy to describe: indeed it is not possible to set before
you a just representation of the circumstances, nor even could one
recount a small part of them without tears and lamentations. Have such
deeds as these ever been made the subjects of tragedy among the
ancients? or has the like ever happened before in time of persecution
or of war? The church and the holy Baptistery were set on fire, and
straightway groans, shrieks, and lamentations, were heard through the
city; while the citizens in their indignation at these enormities,
cried shame upon the governor, and protested against the violence used
to them. For holy and undefiled virgins456
| 456 The
sister of S. Antony was one of the earliest known inmates of a nunnery,
vit. Ant. §2. 3. They were called by the Catholic Church by
the title, “Spouse of Christ.” Apol. ad Const.
§33. | were
being stripped naked, and suffering treatment which is not to be named
and if they resisted, they were in danger of their lives. Monks were
being trampled under foot and perishing; some were being hurled
headlong; others were being destroyed with swords and clubs; others
were being wounded and beaten. And oh! what deeds of impiety and
iniquity have been committed upon the Holy Table! They were offering
birds and pine cones457
| 457 The θύος or suffitus of
Grecian sacrifices generally consisted of portions of odoriferous
trees. vid. Potter. Antiqu. ii. 4. Some translate the word here
used (στροβίλους), “shell-fish.” | in sacrifice, singing
the praises of their idols, and blaspheming even in the very churches
our Lord and Saviour Jesus-Christ, the Son of the living God. They were
burning the books of Holy Scripture which they found in the church; and
the Jews, the murderers of our Lord, and the godless heathen entering
irreverently (O strange boldness!) the holy Baptistery, were stripping
themselves naked, and acting such a disgraceful part, both by word and
deed, as one is ashamed even to relate. Certain impious men also,
following the examples set them in the bitterest persecutions, were
seizing upon the virgins and ascetics by the hands and dragging them
along, and as they were haling them, endeavoured to make them blaspheme
and deny the Lord; and when they refused to do so, were beating them
violently and trampling them under foot.E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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