In the forum Nicholas soon caught rumors of the gifts to the three maidens. Their father would not say anything about the money, only that he vowed to find the stranger and thank him. Nicholas’ cousin Timoteus remarked, “If this is the same benefactor, he wastes his gifts. They are not believers. The father will only choose husbands who worship the gods of Rome.”
Nicholas frowned. He had a point. There was no guarantee that the gifts would not be squandered. Still, he could not forget the many gifts his parents gave. They gave in the name of Christus. Some responded with belief and some did not. He wanted to defend his gifts but he could not without revealing himself.
Later, Nicholas took his place in the hall of the magistrates. As he waited for his turn to speak, Silvanus beckoned him over to sit by his side. He said, “I am having a banquet the day after tomorrow. You should come.”
Nicholas thought of the earlier banquet. It was too risky. He said, “You are very gracious. Unfortunately, I have some business to attend to with my fishing fleet and I won’t be able to make it.”
“I understand.” said Silvanus. “It is short notice. Next time then.”
“Thank you,” said Nicholas. His mind raced to think of ways he could excuse himself next time without arousing suspicion. None would keep him in the good graces of Silvanus, but that was far better than revealing himself as a Christianus.
Before Nicholas could return to his seat, Silvanus beckoned a centurion over and quietly said to him, “You have heard of this enemy of the gods who gives gifts in the name of Christus?” The centurion nodded. “This has gone beyond a simple prank or nuisance. I want you to find out who he is, and why he defies Caesar and the gods.” The centurion nodded.
Nicholas decided to wait a while before venturing out at night again. He spent several days with his fishermen. The crews were on edge. Once, Argus, a crewman who worshiped Poseidon accused another, Demetrius, who believed in Christus of throwing his small figure of Poseidon overboard. Demetrius denied it, saying, “I would not touch your god. You must have dropped it.”
Argus said, “You’re a liar... The whole lot of you! I should turn you in.”
The whole crew stared at him in silence. Their freedom hung in the balance on this one man. Moments later, a crewman emerged from below deck, marched over and slapped the figure of Poseidon into Argus’ hand. He told him, “You left it in the clean nets.”
Argus stared at his idol for some time, then finally said, “Sorry.” He turned back to his work.
Nicholas frowned. He had a point. There was no guarantee that the gifts would not be squandered. Still, he could not forget the many gifts his parents gave. They gave in the name of Christus. Some responded with belief and some did not. He wanted to defend his gifts but he could not without revealing himself.
Later, Nicholas took his place in the hall of the magistrates. As he waited for his turn to speak, Silvanus beckoned him over to sit by his side. He said, “I am having a banquet the day after tomorrow. You should come.”
Nicholas thought of the earlier banquet. It was too risky. He said, “You are very gracious. Unfortunately, I have some business to attend to with my fishing fleet and I won’t be able to make it.”
“I understand.” said Silvanus. “It is short notice. Next time then.”
“Thank you,” said Nicholas. His mind raced to think of ways he could excuse himself next time without arousing suspicion. None would keep him in the good graces of Silvanus, but that was far better than revealing himself as a Christianus.
Before Nicholas could return to his seat, Silvanus beckoned a centurion over and quietly said to him, “You have heard of this enemy of the gods who gives gifts in the name of Christus?” The centurion nodded. “This has gone beyond a simple prank or nuisance. I want you to find out who he is, and why he defies Caesar and the gods.” The centurion nodded.
Nicholas decided to wait a while before venturing out at night again. He spent several days with his fishermen. The crews were on edge. Once, Argus, a crewman who worshiped Poseidon accused another, Demetrius, who believed in Christus of throwing his small figure of Poseidon overboard. Demetrius denied it, saying, “I would not touch your god. You must have dropped it.”
Argus said, “You’re a liar... The whole lot of you! I should turn you in.”
The whole crew stared at him in silence. Their freedom hung in the balance on this one man. Moments later, a crewman emerged from below deck, marched over and slapped the figure of Poseidon into Argus’ hand. He told him, “You left it in the clean nets.”
Argus stared at his idol for some time, then finally said, “Sorry.” He turned back to his work.
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