upon His own murderers if they would turn
and pray for His mercy, as many of them did,
as, for instance, the centurion who wickedly pierced Him (Christ)
in His holy side, and afterwards turned to Him;
this centurion was named Longinus.
He saw then how suddenly the sun became dark
from midday until noon ( p.m.), and all middle earth trembled,
and rocks burst asunder; then he turned to Christ,
smiting his breast, and saying loudly,
Vere Filius Dei est hie — Truly this (man) is the Son of God.
He then renounced his employment, and proceeded to the apostles,
and was by them instructed in the faith,
and with baptism was washed from his former deeds.
Then he distributed all his goods in alms,
and lived in purity as Christ's own servant (thane)
in great abstinence, and preached to the heathen
the true faith and forgiveness of sins;
and put down idolatry, and performed miracles
in God's name, until a certain cruel judge
put him to death with great torments.
But he wrought many marvels before the judge,
amid the torments, and blinded the judge
through the power of God, that men might know
how merciful is the Saviour who had so magnified him.
Then was he beheaded for the sake of that Saviour,
whom he had before cruelly wounded on the cross,
and he (now) dwells eternally in glory with Him.
The heathen judge who put him to death
was named Octavius; but he came afterwards
to the place where he was slain, and sought his body,
