Nicholas said, “I’m pleased to hear that you’re familiar with the emperor’s edict and that you represent his judgment in these matters. You speak rightly in saying that I am free, with the same rights as any citizen. The question of who has defied the ancient institutes and public order of Rome is not the question before the court. The emperor himself charges us with this in his edict. But he has also granted the right of redress and the restoration of property. What remains in question is whether you sit to enforce the word of the emperor or to defy it.”
The chief magistrate replied with a sneer, “Perhaps you have not heard, Galerius is dead. Maximinus Daza has succeeded him in the east, and he never placed his seal on the edict.”
The news caught Nicholas by surprise. He didn’t realize Galerius had been so close to death. If he had died only a few days earlier, there would have been no edict. But these things were in the hands of Christus. The edict had been enacted. Nicholas said, “Nevertheless, it remains a law of Rome until there is a new edict. Do you intend to defy the public order of Rome?”
The magistrate reluctantly put his seal to the petitions. After this, Nicholas became a frequent visitor at the court as many Christiani looked to him to reclaim their freedom and property.
At the next gathering of the believers, a young man of 17 came to him. He grinned and said, “Cousin Nicholas, it is good to see you.” His face was vaguely familiar. The young man could see Nicholas’ confused look and explained, “It’s your cousin Lucas.”
“Ah yes!” said Nicholas, recognizing the son of his cousin Crysanthe. He asked, “Are your mother and father well?”
Lucas shrugged. “They are with our Lord, so yes, they are doing well.”
Nicholas said, “I am sorry. You must miss them much... Where do you live?”
Lucas shook his head, “I was living with my master until he released me.”
“You will live with me,” said Nicholas.
Nicholas soon found his home overflowing with people, much as Gordian’s house, and among them were many begging him for gifts of gold. Everyone knew him as the great benefactor of Myra, and few could keep from asking for a little something. Nicholas told them all, “My home is open to you, and my heart as well. But my treasure remains in the hands of Christus, my Lord.”
Some young ladies of the families who stayed with him would give him kind attention, and their fathers would approach him to speak of their readiness for marriage, but Nicholas expressed no interest. They were all very beautiful and kind, but he could not be sure whether they were drawn to him or his wealth. And he couldn’t help but compare them all with Eudora.
The chief magistrate replied with a sneer, “Perhaps you have not heard, Galerius is dead. Maximinus Daza has succeeded him in the east, and he never placed his seal on the edict.”
The news caught Nicholas by surprise. He didn’t realize Galerius had been so close to death. If he had died only a few days earlier, there would have been no edict. But these things were in the hands of Christus. The edict had been enacted. Nicholas said, “Nevertheless, it remains a law of Rome until there is a new edict. Do you intend to defy the public order of Rome?”
The magistrate reluctantly put his seal to the petitions. After this, Nicholas became a frequent visitor at the court as many Christiani looked to him to reclaim their freedom and property.
At the next gathering of the believers, a young man of 17 came to him. He grinned and said, “Cousin Nicholas, it is good to see you.” His face was vaguely familiar. The young man could see Nicholas’ confused look and explained, “It’s your cousin Lucas.”
“Ah yes!” said Nicholas, recognizing the son of his cousin Crysanthe. He asked, “Are your mother and father well?”
Lucas shrugged. “They are with our Lord, so yes, they are doing well.”
Nicholas said, “I am sorry. You must miss them much... Where do you live?”
Lucas shook his head, “I was living with my master until he released me.”
“You will live with me,” said Nicholas.
Nicholas soon found his home overflowing with people, much as Gordian’s house, and among them were many begging him for gifts of gold. Everyone knew him as the great benefactor of Myra, and few could keep from asking for a little something. Nicholas told them all, “My home is open to you, and my heart as well. But my treasure remains in the hands of Christus, my Lord.”
Some young ladies of the families who stayed with him would give him kind attention, and their fathers would approach him to speak of their readiness for marriage, but Nicholas expressed no interest. They were all very beautiful and kind, but he could not be sure whether they were drawn to him or his wealth. And he couldn’t help but compare them all with Eudora.
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