A New Eusebius by J. Stevenson

Author:J. Stevenson [J. Stevenson and W. H. C. Frend, eds.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: REL108020, REL067080
ISBN: 9781441237798
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2013-06-18T00:00:00+00:00

17 The Decian Persecution, 250–1

192 The Decian Persecution in Alexandria

Eusebius, HE, IV.41.9–13, quoting a letter from Dionysius of Alexandria to Fabius, Bishop of Antioch

Straightway, however, the news spread abroad of the change from that rule that had been more kindly to us, and great was the fear of threatened punishment that hung over us. And, what is more, the edict arrived, and it was almost like that which was predicted by our Lord, wellnigh the most terrible of all, so as, if possible, to cause to stumble even the elect.[1] Howsoever that be, all cowered with fear. And of many of the more eminent persons, some came forward immediately through fear, others in public positions were compelled to do so by their business, and others were dragged by those around them. Called by name they approached the impure and unholy sacrifices, some pale and trembling, as if they were not for sacrificing but rather to be themselves the sacrifices and victims to the idols, so that the large crowd that stood around heaped mockery upon them, and it was evident that they were by nature cowards in everything, cowards both to die and to sacrifice. But others ran eagerly towards the altars, affirming by their forwardness that they had not been Christians even formerly; concerning whom the Lord very truly predicted that they shall hardly be saved. Of the rest, some followed one or other of these, others fled; some were captured, and of these some went as far as bonds and imprisonment, and certain, when they had been shut up for many days, then forswore themselves even before coming into court, while others who remained firm for a certain time under tortures, subsequently gave in.

Dionysius had just recounted details of the anti-Christian pogrom that had taken place shortly before when Philip (244–9) was still emperor.

more kindly to us; i.e. the rule of Philip.

they shall hardly be saved: The reference is to Matt. 19.23. Cf. Mark 10.23 and Luke 18.24. The situation in Alexandria resembled that recorded by Cyprian (200) and in Smyrna by the writer of the Acts of Pionius (H. Musurillo, ed., The Acts of the Christian Martyrs, pp. 136–67).

193 Libelli of the Persecution of Decius, 250

Text in Harvard Theological Review, 16 (1923), pp. 363ff.

⟦1⟧ First Hand. To the commission chosen to superintend the sacrifices at the village of Alexander’s Isle. From Aurelius Diogenes, son of Satabous, of the village of Alexander’s Isle, aged 72 years, with a scar on the right eyebrow. I have always sacrificed to the gods, and now in your presence in accordance with the edict I have made sacrifice, and poured a libation, and partaken of the sacred victims. I request you to certify this below. Farewell. I, Aurelius Diogenes, have presented this petition.

Second Hand. I, Aurelius Syrus, saw you and your son sacrificing.

Third Hand. . . . onos . . .

First Hand. The year one of the Emperor Caesar Gaius Messius Quintus Trajanus Decius Pius Felix Augustus, Epeiph 2 (26 June, 250). (J.

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