The True King and the Vanity of Idols

Not a toil, but those cutting across the Adriatic and carried over the Aegean, and all who sail the ocean toward the west and navigate the western gulfs, they use the usual commands to rest from their voyage's toil, turning to a new hypothesis through the language of bravery; and the thrice-blessed is a tongue to them, because it provides clear experiences of help.

Often, however, at night while awaiting winter, a helmsman was seen dozing upon the rudder, waking him; and at other times, stretching a call and attending to the shield and looking out from the prow for the rocks. A law was established that sailors must travel with Phocaean companions. And since they must have a share in the current incorporeal life helplessly, learn how they carefully reasoned about the impossible. Each day, according to how many are present, they complete their share for the sake of an equal distribution among the eaters, as a testimony.

One of the stewards, driving out the silver, sets it aside, and another the next day, and another at another time; and thus the buyer receives their share each day from the purchase's proceeds. When a harbor receives them and they land upon the earth, the silver is divided among the hungry; and this portion to Phocaeans is a blessing for the needy.

Kings have established this, and they adorn God's palace with the most patient, God-loving, and honor-seeking treasures. But those coming upon them love the young more than the elders. And it is no wonder if the men holding the Roman hegemony, being pious and followers of customs and laws, they act reverently toward the servant of Christ, even when the wonder reached the barbarians; and all the wildest Scythians, who live on the opposite shore of the Euxine Sea, inhabitants of Lake Maeotis and the Tanais river, those who dwell in the Bosporus and stretch even to the Phasis river, all these carry spears for the gardener; and all those standing by us in customs and duties toward the...

Only those of one mind become softened in the harshness of their ways by the truth.

One ruler, therefore, having laid aside the crown of his head, being surrounded by gold and flowers of stone, and having stripped off his war-armor—for his panoply was a substance of boastful wealth and was being shattered by the barbarians—sent both offerings through the martyr to God, establishing the occasions of power and dignity. For it was evident, as the crown of kingship was a gift, and the breastplate was the strength for war.

As for the continuous activities occurring through visions in dreams and through the healings which those who labor enjoy, how could anyone even recount them, since it is impossible to apply words to each individual activity? However, it is possible to say this much to those worshipping the manifold error: that one slave of Christ and fellow-slave of ours fulfills the activities of many whom you consider gods among you.

And let the divinations be silent, just as they were hushed by the prophecies among us, the righteous overcoming. Let the works of medicine be idle, and let Asclepius not be worshiped; and let the Dioscuri not be considered to contend with sailors, for most know the Helper against dangers. Where is the Pythia, a woman of false divination, providing oblique and uncertain answers to those inquiring, so that she might prepare an apology for failure and falsehood through the doubt of the oracles? Where is the spring considered to generate prophetic water? Is it not all nonsense and vanity, which lured the wretched peoples toward error?

Worship God, whose faithful slaves were worthy of such grace, not acting involuntarily, but doing good to fellow-slaves according to the gift given to them. And these things occur after the arrival here and the separation of the body. Recognize from the servants the majesty of the Lord; glorify the God who is truly above all, to whom worship is due, now and forever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.