six miles from Ravenna, and lie there sustained him
four years with food; and the Christians sought him,
and listened earnestly to his teaching with faith ;
and all the sick who oft came to him
were healed, and returned home in sound health.
Then sent the idolaters, with enraged mind,
a message to the emperor, [praying] that he would command to kill
the holy bishop, lest their worship should be
altogether extinguished by the Lord's preacher.
And forthwith the Emperor sent them this writing:
'If any man presumptuously blaspheme our gods,
let him make atonement to them, or let him be driven
away from the city, because it is not right
that we should avenge our gods, but they will avenge themselves
if they be provoked. Fare ye well.'
Then the governor of the city sent to fetch the bishop to him,
and asked him straightway, of what religion he might be,
as if he said, ' Whether art thou, Christian or heathen? '
The judge was called Demosthenes, and he was the devil's worshipper.
Then said the holy man to the heathen judge,
'I am verily a Christian, and St. Peter instructed me,
and sent me hither to this happy city,
that through the name of Jesus salvation should come to you.'
Demosthenes then answered the venerable Saint,
'What needs there so long delay, behold, now is the time
that thou must forsake thy folly, and offer sacrifice to the gods.'
Apollinaris answered him, ' I will offer myself
for my spiritual children, whom I have here begotten to God;
and whosoever will not pray to the heavenly God,
he shall be eternally condemned to the everlasting fire ;
and those who believe in God, and are baptized in faith,
those shall have the eternal rest, and unchangeable riches.'
Upon this, Demosthenes became fiendishly incensed in heart,
and delivered the Saint to a certain centurion,
to keep in prison, until he should kill him.
