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| Irruption of Syrianus.
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24. Irruption of Syrianus.
This were sufficient to put a stop to the madness
of these impious men, and to prove that their desire is for nothing
else, but only through a love of contention to utter revilings and
insults. But forasmuch as having once dared to fight against Christ,
they have now become officious, let them enquire and learn into the
manner of my withdrawal from their own friends. For the Arians were
mixed with the soldiers in order to exasperate them against me, and, as
they were unacquainted with my person, to point me out to them. And
although they are destitute of all feelings of compassion, yet when
they hear the circumstances they will surely be quiet for very shame.
It was now night1500
, and some of the
people were keeping a vigil preparatory to a communion on the morrow,
when the General Syrianus suddenly came upon us with more than five
thousand soldiers, having arms and drawn swords, bows, spears, and
clubs, as I have related above. With these he surrounded the Church,
stationing his soldiers near at hand, in order that no one might be
able to leave the Church and pass by them. Now I considered that it
would be unreasonable in me to desert the people during such a
disturbance, and not to endanger myself in their behalf; therefore I
sat down upon my throne, and desired the Deacon to read a Psalm, and
the people to answer, ‘For His mercy endureth for ever1501
| 1501 Ps. cxxxvi. 1 [on psalmody at
Alexandria, cf. Aug. Conf. x. 33.] | ,’ and then all to withdraw and depart
home. But the General having now made a forcible entry, and the soldiers having
surrounded the sanctuary for the purpose of apprehending us, the Clergy
and those of the laity, who were still there, cried out, and demanded
that we too should withdraw. But I refused, declaring that I would not
do so, until they had retired one and all. Accordingly I stood up, and
having bidden prayer, I then made my request of them, that all should
depart before me, saying that it was better that my safety should be
endangered, than that any of them should receive hurt. So when the
greater part had gone forth, and the rest were following, the monks who
were there with us and certain of the Clergy came up and dragged us
away. And thus (Truth is my witness), while some of the soldiers stood
about the sanctuary, and others were going round the Church, we passed
through, under the Lord’s guidance, and with His protection
withdrew without observation, greatly glorifying God that we had not
betrayed the people, but had first sent them away, and then had been
able to save ourselves, and to escape the hands of them which sought
after us.E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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