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The Ecclesiastical History of Theodoret (CCEL)

Chapter XVII. Of the boldness of speech of the decurion of Berœa.

¹ After starting with these threats he was put down by one single Berœan. Illustrious as this man was from the fact of his holding the chief place among the magistrates, he was made yet more illustrious by his zeal. On seeing his son falling into the prevailing paganism, he drove him from his home and publicly renounced him. The youth made his way to the emperor in the near neighbourhood of the city and informed him both of his own views and of his father’s sentence. The emperor bade him make his mind easy and promised to reconcile his father to him. When he reached Berœa, he invited the men of office and of high position to a banquet. Among them was the young suppliant’s father, and both father and son were ordered to take their places on the imperial couch. In the middle of the entertainment Julian P. 105 said to the father, “It does not seem to me to be right to force a mind otherwise inclined and having no wish to shift its allegiance. Your son does not wish to follow your doctrines. Do not force him. Even I, though I am easily able to compel you, do not try to force you to follow mine.” Then the father, moved by his faith in divine truth to sharpen the debate, exclaimed “Sir,” said he “are you speaking of this wretch whom God hates ² and who has preferred lies to truth?”

Once more Julian put on the mask of mildness and said “Cease fellow from reviling,” and then, turning his face to the youth, “I,” said he, “will have care for you, since I have not been able to persuade your father to do so.” I mention this circumstance with a distinct wish to point out not only this worthy man’s admirable boldness, but that very many persons despised Julian’s sway.

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Histoire de l'Église

CHAPITRE X.

Translation du corps de saint Babylas.

JULIEN ayant dessein de faire la guerre aux Perses, envoya consulter sur ce sujet tous les Oracles de l'Empire, par les plus fidèles de ses amis, 183 et alla lui-même à Daphné consulter Apollon Pythien. L'Oracle lui répondit, qu'il fallait ôter des corps morts qui l'empêchèrent de parler, et que dès qu'ils seraient ôtes, il lui prédirait ce qu'il désirait. Les Reliques de l'invincible Martyr Babylas, et des jeunes hommes qui avaient été compagnons de sa mort, avaient été déposées dans le voisinage. Il était visible que la puissance de ces saints Corps réduisait l'Oracle au silence, et l'empêchait d'imposer au peuple, et Julien ne manqua pas de reconnaitre par les lumières qu'il avait tirées de notre Religion. C'est pourquoi il ne toucha point du tout aux corps qui étaient enterrés dans ce lieu-là, et commanda seulement aux Chrétiens de transférer les Reliques des Martyrs. Ils n'eurent pas sitôt reçu cet ordre, qu'ils se rendirent en foule au bois de Daphné, mirent les Reliques sur un char tiré par deux chevaux, les conduisirent à la ville en chantant des Psaumes, et en répétant ces paroles à chaque verset, que ceux qui adorent les statues taillées par les Sculpteurs, soient confondus. Ces Chrétiens regardèrent cette translation, comme un triomphe remporté sur le démon.