The Ecclesiastical History of Evagrius Scholasticus - Coptic ...

224
EVAGRIUS
26 And since we have reached this point of the narrative, I shall tell of
the miracle which occurred there, which is worthy of the present narrative.
[173] When the sons of the Apameans learnt that the city of Antiochus
had been destroyed by ¢re, 67 they implored the aforementioned
Thomas to bring forth and display, contrary to custom, the saving and
life-giving Wood of the Cross, so that for the last time they might see
and kiss the sole salvation of mankind and receive a passage to the other
life, since the precious Cross would convey them to the better estate.
Thomas in fact did this and brought out the life-giving Wood, after
announcing stated days for the display so that it would also be possible
for all those in the vicinity to assemble and enjoy the salvation from it.
Now those who brought me to light also attended along with the rest,
and brought me along (I was attending an elementary teacher). Then
when we were privileged to adore and kiss the precious Cross, Thomas
raised both hands and revealed the Wood of the Cross which wiped out
the ancient curse, parading around the whole of the sacred shrine as was
customary on the days appointed for adorations. A great mass of ¢re
followed Thomas as he moved, which gleamed but did not consume, so
that the whole place where he stood and revealed the precious Cross
appeared to be ablaze. And this happened not once, not twice, but very
often as the priest walked around the whole space there and the
assembled populace importuned Thomas to do this. This indeed prophesied
for the Apameans the salvation that occurred. Accordingly an
image was set up in the roof of the church, which by its depiction made
these matters known to the ignorant; this was preserved down to the
attack of Adarmaanes and the Persians, but was burnt together with the
holy church of God there along with the whole city. And these events
happened thus. 68
supported; but Evagrius has derived the information about Bishop Thomas’ presence at the
games and his spirited quip from another source, presumably local tradition. The remains
of Apamea in the sixth century are gradually being revealed through the excavations directed
by J. and J. C. Balty.
67 For the periphrasis ‘sons of . . .’, cf. n. 15 above, and. i.20 with n. 175.
68 The miraculous display of the Cross is also reported by Procopius (Wars ii.11.16^20),
though he implies that there was only a single display for the inhabitants of Apamea immediately
before the arrival of Khusro’s army; Evagrius would have been aged four or ¢ve at
the time, and presumably had a vivid memory of the dramatic experience (though Procopius’
account, and perhaps also the picture in the church could jog this, if necessary). Apamea’s
fragment of the Cross was su⁄ciently famous for Justin II to demand its transfer to