The Martyr's Courage and the Betrayal

To lead him away unjudged and without defense. For the crime was impiety, a crime which the doer shouted out with a bright voice; and while asking no one, he demonstrated it by his works, but while inquiring, he cried out joyfully. Therefore, those who were agents of his punishment and causes of our feast arrived at him, the one being sought, neither knowing nor being known. But they had the pretext of the visitation entirely in secret, so that having been previously instructed by those outside the city, who is Phocas and where he stays, they might stand by continuously and collect him, just as the Jews once did in the garden with Judas and the Lord (Matt 26:36-56). And they entered in having nets, holding the hunt: the dogs the lamb, the wolves the kid; and the goat was resting together with the orchards, and the lamb was grazing with the wolves, and the lions were making a common life together with the calf. And since, as it is pleasing to become, a table and custom provided the boldness toward one another, the martyr inquired among them who they were and for whose sake they had arrived at his city. But those, feeling shame for the ready reception and hospitality of the man, having commanded that nothing of what was to be said be uttered, make known to him the secret and disclose the drama of the plot, and that they seek to take Phocas for punishment; wherefore, in view of the hospitality and this also, they were worthy to grant the favor and to join with them in the hunt of the one being sought.

The servant of the Lord heard this and, receiving the word with a troubled soul, suffered nothing lowly or ungentlemanly, nor did he speak such a thing; nor, having demonstrated not the danger, did he look toward flight, and all this having much power toward this, because he himself was not yet manifest as the one being sought among them; but on the contrary, he did everything, having preordained to act more manfully and not to flee. He even pays attention to their worthiness; 'And I,' he says, 'will bind myself to you for what lies ahead. For I know the man and, having searched easily, I will find him; not for a long time from this, but for the coming day, and I will show him to you; only you rest from this my meager arrival.' Thus, having guaranteed the promise to them as certain, he divides himself with difficulty among things: the reception of those killing him and the preparation of the tomb. And having prepared the pit and the things necessary for the burial, approaching them in the evening, he said, 'With care for you, I searched for Phocas and the prey is already ready; and, if it seems good, let him be captured.' And of those who said out of joy, 'And where is the man?', he said, 'Not far, but with you; and this man is you yourselves; so use the matter and fulfill the purpose of the journey and of the labor.' The people struck their souls, and upon hearing this, they removed the salt and the table, feeling shame for the one who was ambitious in poverty.