The Contendings of the Apostles, Part 1

The Contendings of the Apostles, Part 1

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The Martyrdom of Saint Bartholomew in Naidas

1 Here beginneth the Martyrdom of Saint Bartholomew, the Apostle of our Lord Jesus Christ; now his death took place on the first day of the month Maskarram. In the peace of God, Amen. May his prayer and blessing be with His handmaiden Walatta Madhan! And it came to pass that when Bartholomew had journeyed to Nasmêfin and Niêndôs (Naidas), [which were two] great cities built upon the sea shore, [he found] that the people thereof had no knowledge of God Almighty, and that they were like unto sheep which had lost themselves through the greatness of their foolish simplicity. And when Bartholomew, the blessed Apostle, had come to them he preached unto them the Gospel of God, and when he had entered into the city he preached unto those who were therein, saying, "Hearken, O ye who dwell in this city. "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the king-dom of heaven.

2 "Blessed are the merciful, for unto them shall [men] shew mercy. "Blessed are the makers of peace, for they shall be called the children of God. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. "Blessed are those who give unto the poor, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. These are they who give a pledge unto God. "Blessed are those who have wives, but are as those who have them not, for they shall inherit the earth." 3 Now as the people were listening unto this doctrine from Saint Bartholomew, God Almighty, the Father and the Sustainer of all things, opened their hearts, and they accepted the commandments of God Almighty the Sustainer of all things, Who desireth that the sinner shall receive life, and shall return unto Him that He may forgive him. In this wise He gave unto the people of [that] city the power of the knowledge of Him, and a right mind, from the greatest of them even unto the least, and they hearkened and believed in God Almighty and in His Gospel, and in the word of Bartholomew, which became sweet in the hearts, even as is honey in the belly, of all those who listened [thereto]. And the people of the cities and of all the countries round about them forsook the service of idols, and believed in God Almighty Who hath the desire to save the seed of Adam; and He turned their hearts to receive the faith which is in Him, that He might save their souls and grant forgiveness unto them, and every man among them remitted his neighbour's debt to him. Then the people of the city and of the regions round about it called upon Bartholomew to bless them, and all the inhabitants thereof, both male and female, and they loved God, and they submitted unto His command, and they forsook all the works of Satan in this transitory world, and they loved purity.

4 And it came to pass that the story of Saint Bartholomew and of his preaching went forth into every place, and all those who heard the preaching of the Gospel believed in God Almighty with all their hearts. And the renown of Bartholomew came unto 'Akrēpās (Acarpus) the king, and when the wife of the king heard thereof she departed from his bed and from pollution by the king. And it came to pass that, when the king knew that his wife had left him because of the words of Bartholomew, who commanded every one in the knowledge of righteousness in the faith of Jesus Christ [so to do], he sent [orders] that they should bring him unto him quickly. And when he had come the king said unto him, "Art thou Bartholomew the sorcerer and the man (i. e., follower) of Jesus Christ?" Then Bartholomew made answer unto him with great boldness and readiness, and said unto him, "I am not, O king, a sorcerer as thou sayest, for sorcery cannot be wrought in the Name of Jesus; but all sorcery, and the evil works of every kind which are wrought perish when the Name of Jesus is mentioned." Then the king commanded them to take him out of his presence, and he ordered those who were with him to bring his wife unto him.

5 Then Saint Bartholomew stood up at a little distance from the king, and he stretched out his hands, and prayed the prayer of the Gospel, and said "Amen." And a certain man, who was blind in his right eye, (now he could see nothing whatever therewith) and whose hand and arm had been dried up from the day of his birth, came towards the Apostle, and drew nigh unto him, and besought him to heal him; and immediately the Apostle had looked upon the man his eye was opened and it became like unto its fellow. And the Apostle said unto him, "I say unto thee, Give me thy hand and arm, that the might of Christ may be revealed, and that all men may see and may believe in His holy Name;" and as the man was putting them forth from his apparel, he found that the [withered] hand and arm were living and were like unto the other hand and arm. Thereupon the man went forth among the people glorifying God, and giving thanks unto Him, and he preached in the blessed name of the Apostle; and he went about throughout the whole country preaching and making known unto the people the fair deed which God had done for him, and the power which God had made to appear at the hands of Saint Bartholomew.

6 Then 'Akripōs (Acarpus) the king said unto the nobles of his kingdom and unto all his servants, "If [we allow] this disciple to dwell and to live in these districts, he will lead us all into his fair path [of life]; it is for us to kill him, and we must do away his body so that it may not be found;" and they answered and said unto him, "Let it be as the king hath commanded." Now their hearts were sad, and they were unwilling to slay him, for they were rejoicing because they had seen the multitudes of marvellous things which God Almighty had revealed at his hands. And they said unto the king, If it please thee, O king, let us drive him from our "district;" now the people of the city wished to save the Apostle from the hands of the king. Then was the king angry with a great anger, and he swore with a mighty oath that he would not hearken unto their words, and that, on the contrary, he wished to kill him by means of an evil death; and they were unable to answer him a word.

7 And Bartholomew went round about through the country and preached unto them the preaching of the Gospel, and he taught the multitudes, and commanded them to learn the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ. And by reason of this thing a certain evil man came unto the king and said unto him, "Knowest thou not that Bartholomew is going round about the whole country disobeying thy commandment and blaspheming thy gods?" And it came to pass that when the king heard thereof, he was wroth with a great wrath because of this thing, and he sent certain captains of his host, together with a large number of men, to seek out Bartholomew. And he commanded them that wheresoever they found him they were to bind his hands and his feet, and to cast him into the sea, so that he might not again be found [on the earth]. 8 And it came to pass that, when the messengers had set out on their way, they found Bartholomew casting out a devil from a man who had been subject unto him for a very long time past, and he was teaching the multitude and commanding them to believe in God, our Lord Jesus Christ. And when the messengers had come up to the blessed Apostle, he met them with the salutation of peace, and said unto them, "Peace! May God be with you, O my brethren!" And they stood before him talking together and marvelling at his simplicity, and at the beauty of his appearance. Then they said unto him, "Wilt thou be pleased to come with us unto the king? Now he calleth for thee. If thou be not pleased so to do we will not command thee to come with us; against thy will we do not wish thee to come, for we believe that God is with thee in all thy work." Then the Apostle said within himself (or in the spirit), "It is not meet for me to transgress the command of God Almighty, Who saith, 'Ye shall enter into the presence of kings and governors for My Name's sake.'" Therefore they desired this thing and he went with them into the presence of 'Akrēpōs the king [who] looked at him, and said unto him, "Art thou he that troubleth the city and all the districts thereof, and that separateth wives from their husbands?" And Saint Bartholomew answered and said, "It is not I who trouble the city, and it is not I who tempt wives from their husbands; but those who believe in God with all their hearts and with all their souls doth He endow with purity. And moreover, 'Akrēpōs, if thou wilt hearken unto me, thou shalt deliver thyself, and shalt inherit the kingdom of heaven in the place of this fleeting kingdom."

9 And it came to pass that when 'Akrēpōs heard these words from him, he was angry with a great anger, for he had kept in his mind how his wife had separated herself from him. Then he commanded the officers of See St. Matt. x. 18; St. Mark. xiii. 9; St. Luke xxi. 12. his guards to fill a sack with sand, and to put Saint Bartholomew therein and to cast him into the sea; and they did as the king had commanded them. Now he died on the first day of the month Maskarram, and afterwards the waves of the sea cast him up, and on the day following certain believing men, who had confessed the faith in God through him, swathed him in swathings, and laid him in a fair place. 1392. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now, henceforth, and for ever and ever. Amen, and Amen. So be it!

The Acts of Saint Andrew and Saint Matthew in the City of Kahênât

1 Here begin the Acts which Matthew, the Apostle and Evangelist, wrought in the city of Kahēnât. In the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ. May his prayer and his blessing be with his handmaiden Wafatta Madḥan! Amen. 2 And it came to pass that Peter and Andrew returned from the country of Greece [where] they had strengthened [the people] in the faith, and taught them the Law of belief; now as they were journeying along the road Matthew met them and they embraced each other in a spiritual embrace. Then Matthew said unto them, "[Whence have ye come?" And they said unto him, "From Greece]." And Matthew said unto them, "And I have come from the country of Pērākōmnōs," which is, being interpreted, Those who rejoice;" and they each described unto the others all the sufferings which had befallen them. Then Matthew said unto them, "In the city where I have been our Lord Jesus Christ doth dwell always, and He doth keep the feast with them, and He hath stablished His seat in their church, in the east thereof, and He teacheth them His commandment. And it came to pass that when I entered into their city, I preached unto them, and I told them the story of the Gospel in His Name. And they said unto me, 'We know this Name.' And I said unto them, 'Who hath told it unto you?' and they said unto me, 'Have patience until to-morrow, and thou shalt see Him of Whom thou hast told us.' And it came to pass that, when the morrow had come, our Lord Jesus Christ arrived, and He was seated upon a shining cloud, and all the powers of heaven were blessing Him. Now when I had seen Him, by reason of the greatness of [my] gladness—for I rejoiced in the Holy Spirit—I cried out, saying, 'Ascribe praise and glory unto the king, and exalt ye His Sublimity unto all eternity.' For three days we blessed [Him] in the church, and when the three days were ended He blessed us, and then ascended into heaven with great glory.

3 "And I said unto them, 'How did ye make yourselves worthy of the great honour of our Lord Jesus Christ keeping the festival with you?' And they said unto me, 'Hast thou not heard the story concerning the nine tribes and the half tribe whom God Almighty brought into the land of inheritance? We are they! And it came to pass that when it was mid-day Gabriel, the Angel of God, came unto us, and there came with him the four hundred and forty thousand and four hundred "children whom Herod had slain, and who had not defiled "their hearts in the world; and when they were ascribing "praises [unto Him], we also ascribed praises [unto "Him] with them, and when they said, 'Hallelujah,' we "also said, 'Hallelujah,' with them. As for gold and silver "we desire it not in our country; we eat not flesh and "we drink not wine in our country, for our food is honey

4 "and our drink is the dew. And we do not look upon "the face of women with sinful desire, and our firstborn "children do we offer as a gift unto God that they may "minister in the church and in the sanctuary all the days "of their life until they be thirty years [of age]. The "water which we drink [floweth] not from cisterns which "have been hewn by the hand of man, but [we drink] "of the water which floweth from Paradise. We do not "array ourselves in apparel which hath been made by the "hand of man, but our raiment is made of the leaves of "trees. No word of lying hear we in our land, and no "man knoweth another who speaketh that which is false. "No man taketh to wife two women in our country, and "the son dieth not before his father, and the young man

5 "speaketh not in the presence of the aged, "the lions dwell with us, but they do no harm unto us, "and we do no harm unto them. When the winds are "lifted up we smell the scent of Paradise, and in our "country there is neither spring, nor cold, nor ice; but "there are winds and they are [always] pleasant.' And it came to pass that when I heard [these words] I wished that my dwelling-place had been with them, until mine eyes were weary [with the sight of them, and mine ears] with listening unto the sweet sound of their voice." And after these things Peter and Andrew blessed God Almighty, and they entreated Him to reveal unto them the place whither they should go. Then our Lord Jesus Christ appeared unto them standing in their midst, and He said unto them, "Peace be unto you, O My holy disciples, whom My Father hath chosen out of all creation; be strong and believe that I will be with you always, and I will never be remote from you whatever may be the place to which ye have journeyed." And the Apostles bowed low before Him even to the ground, and they said [unto Him], "We bless Thy Name, O Lord, and we give thanks unto Thee always. Command us and declare unto us the way wherein we should go." Then our Lord spake unto Peter, and commanded him to go to the city of Rome, and He commanded Andrew to go to the city of Mesyâ, and Matthew unto the City of Kâhenât. And Matthew said unto our Lord, "Nay, but I know not Kâhenât, and I have never entered into the city of its people." And our Lord said unto him, "Hitherto thou hast been of little faith. But set thou out on the road, and it shall bring thee unto two roads; of these journey thou upon that which is on thy right hand, and it shall bring thee unto their city." And as they were talking together in this wise a cloud made its appearance, and it bore Peter and Andrew away and brought them unto their places wherein our Lord had commanded them to preach.

6 And Matthew journeyed along a little way, and he lifted up his eyes unto heaven, and he prayed and said, "O Thou Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who didst converse with Abraham; and didst make perfect his progeny in Isaac; and didst stablish a testimony in Jacob, and Thy gift of grace in Joseph, and Thy Law in Moses; and didst keep Thy people in the desert for forty years, and didst overshadow them by day with a cloud, and didst give them light by night by a pillar of fire; and didst blot out for them their enemies under their feet; and didst bring them forth from the Red Sea, and didst lead them out into a land prepared for them, which Thou didst promise [to give] unto their fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; be Thou unto me a guide on this road." And straightway a cloud came and bore away Matthew and brought him unto the City of Kâhenât; and it came to pass that when he had seen the city he rejoiced and desired to enter [therein].

7 And Matthew saw before him a young man who was a keeper of sheep, and when he had come up with him he said unto him, "I say unto thee, O thou young man, thou keeper of sheep, Which is the road which will bring me into this city?" And the young man said unto him, "This road [will take thee into the city], but thou wilt not be able to enter therein dressed in this apparel, for it is not like unto the apparel of [the men of] our city; now thy raiment is dirty, and if thou hast the desire to come into the city take off the apparel which is upon thee, and array thyself in the garb of the priests. And next shave off the hair of thy head and beard, and gird up thy loins, and take in thy 11* right hand a palm branch of Hosanna, and make unto thyself sandals of palm leaves and shoe thy feet therewith; then shall thy apparel be like unto that of the men of the city, and thou mayest enter therein."

8 And it came to pass that when Matthew heard these words from him (or them) his heart was sad, and he went back along the road whereon he had travelled, and he did not desire to enter into the city. Now the young man who had spoken to him was our Lord Jesus Christ, and when Matthew was going back along the road He followed him for a little way, and stretched out His hand, and made him to turn round. And Matthew said unto Him, "How knowest Thou me? Who told Thee my name?" Then the young man said unto him, "I know thee, O Matthew. Turn back, and travel on to the city, and enter into it. I am Jesus thy God, do therefore that which I have commanded thee, and let not thine heart be sad; if, however, thou dost not do as I have said unto thee, thou wilt not be able to enter into the city." Then Matthew did as our Lord Jesus Christ commanded him, and our Lord Jesus walked with him, and brought him to the gate of the city, and said unto him, "Be strong, O Matthew, My Apostle, and hold fast, and endure patiently, for the king of this city shall scourge thee with many scourgings, and they shall cast thee into prison; and afterwards they shall burn thy body with fire. Keep thyself firm, and fear not; be not terrified, neither be dismayed. For the king shall be converted, and shall believe in Me, together with all those who dwell in the city. Now for this reason the people shall wish to burn thee with fire, [but the flames of fire] wherewith [they would do so] shall leap up and shall consume their god Apollo. And as for thee, endure thou patiently and cry out upon My Name, for I will hearken unto thee, and I [will be] with thee at all times, and I will be remote neither from thee nor from thy brother Apostles in any place whithersoever thou goest." And as our Lord was saying these words unto Matthew, He went up from him into heaven in great glory.

9 Then Matthew rose up and came into the city, and he asked the people of the city, saying, "Where is the temple?" And they said unto him, "Where is thine own city?" and he said unto them, "I am a handicraftsman from the country of Egypt." And they said unto him, "For what purpose hast thou come [hither]? And what seekest thou?" And he said unto them, "I have come to learn (literally, see) the doctrine of your god, and what he teacheth you." And they said unto the Apostle, "It is not our god who teacheth us anything, and we never hear a word from him, and as for the offerings which we offer unto him we know not who eateth them, for it is the men who minister unto him who receive [our] gifts from us." Then the Apostle said unto them, "Do ye yourselves not belong to the body of the priests?" And they said unto him, "Yea, we are of the great ones among the priests who minister unto the gods." And Matthew said unto them, "Are all your gods of one rank and equality?" And they said unto him, "Apollo is the greatest." Then the Apostle said unto them, "Apollo loveth the rich and hateth the poor, this god Apollo is a balance which doth not act justly.

10 "Now I should like to see the face of your god, and to hold converse with him, and I would ask him, 'Wherefore lovest thou the rich and hatest the poor? For they all are thy servants, and it is meet that thou shouldst pay '[equal] honour unto them all.'" And it came to pass that when the people of the city heard the words of the Apostle, they divided themselves into two companies; and they spake the one unto the other, saying, "Let us go with him into the temple that we may hear his words." So they went with Matthew, and they came into the temple, and brought him unto the priest, and said unto him, "Behold, this man hath arrived from the country of Egypt; come forth and hold "converse with him." And when Matthew came unto him, he embraced him with a spiritual embrace, for he desired to save him. Now when Matthew had embraced 'Armis the priest, the hand (or might) of God Almighty came down upon him, and he said unto the Apostle, "Whence art thou? Whence comest thou? And who art thou? For when I had been embraced by thee there came down upon me great grace; tell me who thou art, O my Lord." And the Apostle said unto him, "I belong to a noble tribe, and I am a priest of God;" and Matthew rejoiced because of the grace which had descended upon 'Armis the priest. And Armis the priest said unto him, "I wish to know how thou didst find the way, and didst come into this city; and Matthew said unto him, "My God brought me herein. [And 'Armis the priest] said unto him, "How did it happen? [And the Apostle said unto him], "He took hold of my hand, and set me down at the gate of the city. And 'Armis said unto him, "I desire to see thy God. And the Apostle said unto him, "If thou believest in Him, and dost keep His commandment, and dost believe in everything which I say unto thee, and art certain that He [is], then will I cause my God to hold converse with thee; for my Lord is a righteous God, and He revealeth not Himself unto the man of folly, on the contrary, from the man who is impure He is hidden, and [not] manifest. And 'Armis the priest said unto him, "Where dwelleth thy God?"; and the Apostle said unto him, "In my country. Then 'Armis said unto him, "Where is thy country? And Matthew said unto him, "My country is in the holy country, and all the ways [of the people] are in righteousness. And the country is the country of light; and those who dwell therein die not; in my country there is no darkness, for the whole of it is light, and my God illumineth all those who are therein; and death [cometh] not upon the people of my country.

11 The whole of my country is furnished with seats (or habitations), and it is full of sweet scents, and in it are very many gardens into which the righteous may enter. In my country there is no one who hath the desire of sin, but all the dwellers therein are righteous. In my country no man is a slave, but all men are free; my God is both merciful and compassionate, and He giveth unto the poor and maketh them to have possessions in abundance. In my country there is no man who hateth another, but all are friends; in my country there is neither backbiting nor calumny, but all are well-pleasing, each to the other; in my country there is neither evil nor transgression, but every man is at peace; in my country there is no oppressor, but all men are lowly; in my country there is no sound of sorrow, but every man rejoiceth and is glad."

12 And it came to pass that when 'Armis the priest heard [these words] from Matthew he said unto him, "How can it be that there is no unclean person in thy country?" And Matthew answered and said unto him, "Because my God Himself is pure." Then 'Armis the priest said unto him, "I wish to come with thee into thy country." And Matthew said unto him, "Thou shalt both come into my country, and see my God, if thou wilt become a partner with me in the faith [of Christ] and in the Holy Mysteries." And when the evening was come Matthew said unto 'Armis the priest, "Hasten thy work;" and 'Armis said unto him, "Tarry for me whilst I go and light the lamp of Apollo before I go to my evening meal;" and Matthew said unto him, "Dost thou light a lamp for thy god?" And 'Armis said unto him, "I not only light a lamp for him, but I wash him, and I decorate him until he is beautiful [to look upon], and I carry him about from place to place." And Matthew said unto him, "My God giveth light unto me, and all those who minister unto Him do shine with His light at all times, and all

13 "those who minister unto Him doth He surround with light; and all those who glorify Him array themselves in apparel of light." And 'Armis said unto him, "I will go with thee into thy city;" and Matthew said unto him, "Seek not to go forth with me into my city, for I call upon the Name of my God, and when I have called He cometh unto me; and when He hath come unto me He maketh the temple, (or synagogue) to be bright with light." And 'Armis said unto him, "I desire to see this wonderful thing." Then Matthew lifted up his eyes to heaven and spake, saying, "I beseech Thee, O my Lord, Thou Sustainer of all things; Who dwellest in the habitation of the glory of Thy Father; my Lord and God, Jesus Christ, the King of glory; Who clothest the naked with raiment; thou King of the righteous, Thou Light of the blind, Thou Light of the World, Thou Lamp that canst not be extinguished, Thou Light nigh unto which no darkness can come; Thou Axe that cuttest down every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit; Thou Fire that consumest every god which is the work of the hand of man; Thou Tree of Life that givest life unto all the world, my Lord and my God Jesus Christ; let Thy mercy come unto me; and hearken unto my prayer, and send Thy light and Thy righteousness upon me; and drive away sorrow from my soul; and make Thy light, and Thy righteousness, and Thy mercy to rise like the Sun upon me."

14 And it came to pass that, when Matthew had finished his prayer, there rose upon them a mighty light, and when 'Armis saw it he fell on his face upon the ground. Then a mighty commotion took place in the city by reason of the exceedingly great light, and the earth trembled and was moved; and Apollo fell down, and he and all the images [of the gods] which were in the temple were broken in pieces, and none of them was left whole, and they were all dashed into small pieces. Then Matthew lifted up Armis from the ground, and said unto him, "Look now at your god! How can he who is not able to save himself save others?" And Armis rose up, and came unto the place where Apollo was, and he found him overthrown and broken in pieces; and he spurned him with his foot, and said unto him, "O Apollo, thou canst not save thyself, how then canst thou save others? Good is the name which [this man] hath called thee."

15 Then Matthew said unto him, "Come forth now, and leave this contemptible thing which hath fallen upon his face;" and 'Armis went forth and took hold of the hand of Matthew, and said unto him, "Come with me into my habitation, that thou mayest eat bread." And Matthew said unto him, "Yes, let us eat [but what shall we eat?] "Let us tell Apollo to make ready for us something that we may eat." Then 'Armis said unto him, "Whilst he was in his glory and majesty he never.45b. 16 "at any time did the like of this; how, then, after he hath been broken and dashed into pieces, and hath come into the hand of a man that he may spurn him with his foot, can he do this thing?" And Matthew said, "My God hath the power to send unto us that which we may eat;" and 'Armis said unto him, "I entreat thee [to ask Him to do so], for I believe that which thou sayest unto me concerning the Light which came down unto us, and I wish that He would send [food] unto us." And Matthew said unto him, "I will bring unto thee that which thou hast asked of me," and he stretched out his hands, and he made supplication, saying, "O God of the sinners who repent and turn away [from their sin]; Who convertest the souls which have been cast away unto the knowledge of Himself; Who sanctifiest soul and body together; Thou Word that camest down from heaven; Thou manna that wast made to come down in the desert; Thou Word who art exalted above all things; Thou Guide of the souls which have been lost; Who didst bring the celestial food into the desert which the children of Israel did eat when fasting with gladness; Thou Food of the famishing; Thou Vivifier of the soul and of the body; Thou, my Lord Jesus Christ, Who hast held me to be worthy of this spiritual service, do Thou send upon me Thy glory, and Thy blessing, and Thy honour, for ever and ever! Amen."

17 And it came to pass that by reason of this prayer there came unto them a table of light, whereupon was bread as white as snow, and a leather bottle of wine. And Matthew said unto 'Armis, "Thou art not worthy to eat of this bread until thou hast become a partaker with me in the belief (or faith), and in the Holy Mysteries;" and 'Armis said unto him, "Haste thee, and make me worthy to receive them." Thereupon Matthew taught him the word of life, and revealed unto him the knowledge of the faith; and he baptized him in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and he gave unto him of the holy bread and wine. And Matthew prayed a second time, and made the table to ascend unto its own place. Then Matthew and 'Armis went out and covered over [with earth] the place where Apollo was, and they closed the doors of the temple and they came to the house of Armis together; and Matthew taught the people therein the knowledge [of Christ], and he baptized them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and there was great joy in the house of Armis. 153a.

18 And it came to pass that when the morrow had come the king came forth to go into the temple, but he found the gates shut; and he commanded them to bring 'Armis the priest there. And when he stood before him, the king said unto him, "Why hast thou dared to close the gates of the temple? And why hast thou covered over [with earth] the place of Apollo, the great god?" And 'Armis said unto him, "He was not able to save A..46b. himself: how then hath he the power to save others?" And the king said unto him, "Who is able to save himself?" And 'Armis said unto the king, "Apollo hath not the power to save himself. Only Jesus, the Son of God, the Living One, the Saviour of souls, the Raiser of the dead, the Glory of the righteous, Who hath brought to nought all the counsel of the Enemy, Who hath seized Satan and hath set him under His feet, can do this." Then the king said unto 'Armis, "Where hast thou learned the Name of Jesus?" And 'Armis said unto him, "I heard it from His disciple Matthew, who found me out and made me worthy to know it; and He hath made His light to shine upon me, and upon all those who are in my habitation." Now when the king heard these words from him he was angry with a great anger, and he commanded them to bind the feet of 'Armis and of Matthew with cords, and to drag them round about A..46b. through the city until their limbs were cut to pieces, and their blood flowed, and pieces of their flesh clung to the road, and to beat them with sticks; and when the people had done this the king commanded them to cast Armis and Matthew into prison.

19 And the king went into the temple, wherein Apollo was, and he found that all the images which were in the temple had been broken to pieces, and that Apollo himself had been dashed into small pieces. Then by reason of this thing was the king dismayed, and he and all those who were with him rent their garments; and he commanded them to bring 'Armis and Matthew thither that they might burn them in fire. And there was a great tumult in the city, for an earthquake took place, and all the images fell down upon their faces and were dashed in pieces; and they (i. e., the people) cried out with a loud voice, saying, "There is no god but Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, the First and the Last. Now the people of the city were divided into two companies, the one believing on Jesus, and the other on Apollo. And the people who were the followers of Apollo were saying, "Let them bring these sorcerers forth and burn them in fire; and those who believed in Christ said, "We will not give these men up [to you]. Then the king commanded them to bring out much wood, and to kindle a fire that they might burn 'Armis and Matthew alive therein; but those who believed in our Lord Jesus Christ armed themselves with weapons, and they made themselves helpers of Armis and Matthew, and delivered them.

20 And they said unto the followers of Apollo, "We will not let the servants of God be burnt in the fire, for it is not just [so to do]. And the king said unto them, "Why do ye act thus hostilely against Apollo and all the gods? And they said unto him, "Because Apollo had not the power to save himself from the destruction which came upon him, and behold, all the idols that were in our houses have been broken in pieces; how then can he save others?". Then the king commanded them to burn the bodies of the disciples 'Armis and Matthew, and [not] to let them remain [alive] for a single hour. And there was great dissension in the city between the men of Christ and the men of Apollo, and through the same Matthew cried out with a loud voice, saying, "O brethren, seek ye not to give pleasure unto men by provoking God Almighty to wrath. Now whilst they were conversing together messengers came from the house of the king, and told Matthew that the only son of the king was dead; and he hastened back into his habitation, he and all those who dwelt therein. And those who believed in Apollo, and those who believed in Christ stood up with the Apostle, (now they were in number about four thousand souls) and Matthew taught them and spake unto them, and commanded them, saying, "Your belief shall be [made] perfect, and ye shall see new wonders." Then Matthew went unto the king and said unto him, "I see that thy heart is sorrow-stricken because thy son hath died; call now upon Apollo that he may raise him up [again] for thee." And the king said unto Matthew, "Which of the gods can make the dead to live again?" And the Apostle said unto him, "My Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, [can do this]; and if thou wilt believe in Him He will raise up thy son alive from

21 "the dead for thee." Then the king swore a mighty oath unto the Apostle and said unto him, "If I see this marvellous thing [wrought] by thy God Jesus Christ, and He raise up my son from the dead, I will never again worship Apollo, nor any other idol whatsoever." 22 And when Matthew had heard [these] words from the king, he became strong in the strength of the Holy Spirit, and he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and stretching out his hands he prayed, saying, "I bless Thee, O my Lord Jesus Christ, at all times, O Thou Whose habitation, which is exalted above the heights, groweth not old. And I give praise unto Thee because Thou didst not conceal Thyself [but didst give Thyself] for sinners, and didst make us to be participators [in] the faith; and I give thanks unto Thee because Thou Thyself alone canst raise up the dead [to life]. And I beseech Thee, O Sustainer of all, Thou Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to send Thy exalted and sublime power to break the thorn of death, and to destroy all its power; and may the keepers of the gates of Sheol fall down; and may the guardians [thereot] be destroyed and put to shame; and may all the deceits of devils be brought to nought, and may the head of the Serpent be broken! Send Thou Thy hand from above, O my Lord Jesus Christ, and raise up the young man so that the king and all those who dwell in this city may believe. And it came to pass 154b.

23 that when Saint Matthew had made an end of his prayer, he rose up and went to the place wherein was the dead man, and taking him by his hand, he said unto him, "O thou young man, in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, rise up and live! And by reason of this the young man made haste [to rise up], and he took hold of Matthew's hand at that moment, and said unto him, "I beseech thee, O servant of God Almighty, to baptize me, and I entreat thee, O good one, to make me a participator in the Holy Mysteries, and not to send me back again into Sheol." 24 And it came to pass that, when the king saw this wonderful thing which God had brought forth in the days of the Apostle Saint Matthew, he rose up without delay, and in that same hour he commanded all those who were in the city to be baptized, together with all the people who were in his house, by the hands of Matthew, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. And there was great rejoicing in the city, and the king burnt Apollo in the fire which he had made in order to burn Matthew; and the fire did not separate itself from Apollo until it had turned him into ashes. Now by reason of this thing the people of the city believed in our Lord Jesus Christ through Matthew, the blessed Apostle. And after these things our Lord Jesus Christ appeared unto Matthew the blessed Apostle [and said unto him], "Strengthen and fortify thy faith, and keep thou in remembrance the words which I have spoken unto thee; and be not dismayed, and fear not, but abide patiently, for I have in this city certain elect souls who believe on Me through thy words." And Matthew said unto Him, "Yea, my Lord!" And He said unto Matthew and unto 'Armis, "Baptize ye the people, and strengthen them against their sins;" and then having finished conversing with them our Lord went up into heaven with great glory, whilst all the people of the city were looking at Him. Then the king and the people of the city overthrew the temple of Apollo, and they built a church [which] Matthew consecrated; and he appointed 'Armis to be their Bishop, and he established priests and deacons over them, and gave them the Gospel, and he dwelt with them until their faith grew strong, when he went forth from them in peace. And when he had gone outside the city, he turned his face to them, and said unto them, "The grace and the peace of God be with you for ever and ever." Amen, and Amen.

The Martyrdom of Saint Matthew in Parthia

1 Here beginneth the Martyrdom of Saint Matthew the good Evangelist; now the end of his testimony took place on the twelfth day of the month Telem. In the peace of God. May his prayer and his blessing be with his handmaiden Walatta Madhan! Amen. And it came to pass that, when Matthew the Evangelist had come unto Jerusalem and the country of Judah, he wrote a Gospel in the Hebrew language. And he went forth unto 'Apâyange, and told the people thereof concerning Christ, and he confirmed them in the true faith, and when he knew that the faith of all those who were in the city and in the districts thereof was sure, he went forth from them in gladness and rejoicing, because God had graciously granted unto him that they should believe. And he declared and preached unto them the vivifying Word of God, and how He was born of the holy Virgin MARY, the God-bearer; and he told them concerning His death which, indeed, maketh [men] to live, and concerning His resurrection; but first of all he taught all men that God Almighty took up an abode in a Body which He received from the Virgin without carnal union, and that He became One, without mingling, without mixture, and without division. And Saint Matthew was wont to go about in the prison house and to heal all those who were therein, without either payment or recompense. [And he used to heal all those who were sick], for he gave healing unto every one by his word in the Name of our Lord Jesus. [And he said], "May ye have salvation;" and in that same hour wherein he ended his words he made to be delivered (or saved) all those who believed in God Almighty.

2 Now in that hour Matthew came into the prison house, and he found there a man from whom certain people demanded much money, and the keeper of the gaol had condemned him to suffer much. And when Matthew looked at him, and saw that he was suffering great tribulation, the Saint had compassion upon him, and said unto him, "O man, why do I see thee in such great sorrow, and in such trouble and tears?" And he said unto Matthew, " Hearken unto me, O my lord, and "I will tell thee everything which hath befallen me. I was a servant of one Kēstos, and I was a trusted man before him. And he hearkened unto my voice, and he gave me much goods and commanded me to depart by sea, and to traffic with the merchandize; and I did even as he commanded me. And I went forth and went up into a ship, and as it was sailing on its way, the sea was violently moved by reason of a mighty wind which blew upon it, and great waves rose up upon it, and the ship went to the bottom of the sea. Then was I in great tribulation, and I lost all hope of saving my life, until at length God Almighty shewed compassion upon me, and He sent a little ship, and He brought me up on the sea-shore, and I returned to my master 'Aykosthos,' and I told him everything which had taken place. And he said unto me in anger, 'Whence comest thou?' and I told him everything which had happened, and [all] that had befallen me at sea. And he was exceedingly wroth with me, for he loved [his] possessions dearly, and it is on this pretext that he hath cast me into • 156a. prison, and he now asketh me to give back to him some col 2. of his goods."

3 And it came to pass that, when Matthew heard [these words], he was sorrowful, and he said unto him, "Weep not, and be not sad, but believe in God Almighty, Who will put strength into the hearts of all those who believe in Him." Then the man said unto him, "What dost thou wish me to do for thee? I have been, indeed, in great trouble, and, O servant of God, for years past I have wanted many times to kill myself by reason of the frequent scourgings wherewith they have scourged me." And the Apostle said unto him, "Hearken unto me, and I will tell thee a great mystery; only thou must swear unto me that when that which I have to say unto thee is ended thou wilt believe in God all the days of thy life." And the man bowed low to 1 Augustus, or Festus(?). 4 the ground, and said unto the Apostle, "[I] hear [and obey]; and may God be upon me! If good come unto me through thee by reason of that which thou hast commanded me, I will believe in Christ Who was crucified." Then the Apostle said unto him, "On the morrow thy master 'Akûsôs will enquire for thee, and he will have thee brought out according to his wont, that he may scourge thee. When he hath seen thee, and hath given orders to the men to scourge thee, speak thou unto him, saying, I entreat thee, O my lord, to wait and to stay thy hand from me this day; for, if God should be pleased to shew His mercy upon me and upon the heart[s] of the men of this city, they will help me and deliver me.' Now, if when thy master cometh into his habitation, he release thee from prison for two days, go thou to the place where the ship went down, and thou shalt find all the goods which were swallowed up in the sea: take them, and pay that which thou owest, and free thyself and all those who are in thy house."

5 And it came to pass that, when the morrow had come, 'Akûsôs sent for the man, and had him brought out of prison; and when he had seen him he looked upon him with wrath and gave orders that he should be made to stand up for scourging. Then the man answered and spake unto him everything which the Apostle had commanded him, and all that the Apostle had told him came to pass, as he said; and Akûsôs granted his request. Then the man went out unto the place where the ship had sunk, believing that everything which the Apostle had told him would be fulfilled; and he looked on his right hand, on the sea-shore, and he found there a bag filled with gold, and he took [it] and came back into the city blessing God Almighty, and giving thanks unto the blessed Apostle. 6 And when he came to 'Akûsôs, he gave him the [bag] which was full of gold, and he opened it and counted [therein] two thousand dinârs. Then Akûsôs said unto him, "What is this?" And the man said unto him, "It is the price of the ship which sank, together with all that was in it, in the sea." Then 'Akûsôs said unto him, "Where didst thou find this money?" And the man said unto him, "When they had cast me into prison I found there a man full of compassion [for me], and he saw that I was in trouble, and he said unto me, 'Why do I see thee in this trouble?' Then I told him everything which had befallen me. And all the words which he spake unto me have come to pass, for he commanded me to go to the place where the ship went down, and I went, and I found this money; and I testify unto thee, O my lord, that no man like unto him can be found on all the earth." And 'Akûsôs said unto him, "How canst thou expect me to listen unto such mad words from thee? How am I to know that thou didst not go to a certain place [where treasure is hidden], and dig [it] up, and steal the money, and bring it hither to me?" And the man said unto him, "It is not as thou sayest. I swear unto thee in the Name of my Lord Jesus Christ, the God of Matthew, that I did not find any place [of hidden treasure]; nay, everything which I have told thee is true. And if thou wishest to see Matthew, behold, he is in the prison house healing all those who are sick, and casting out devils from all who are possessed of them."

7 Now whilst the man was saying these words, there came a certain wicked man who was a hater of good A works, and who cried out, saying, "Hear, O ye people of Rome, and I will describe unto you [the cause of] the tumult which hath arisen in this city. It is a certain man who is a wandering stranger, who preacheth on his journey a God Whose Name is Jesus the Nazarene; [and if] 'Akōstōs, the governor of this city, alloweth him [to continue to do this] he will destroy the city and all those who dwell therein." Then 'Aksetōs, the governor of the city, brought this matter before the king, and when the king heard thereof he was angry with a great anger against the Apostle, and he said unto the captains of his guard, "Go ye forth quickly to where he is, and when and wheresoever ye find him cut off his head, and cast his body out upon the ground, so that it may become food for the birds of heaven." Then the captains of the guard went out and did as the king had commanded them, and they cut off his head, and left his body lying on the ground, so that the birds of heaven might eat it. But God, Who loveth mankind, sent unto him two of the elect, and they took the head of the saint and buried it with his body; and they swathed it in clean grave-clothes, and laid it in the grave of his fathers. And it came to pass that when the man whom the Apostle had delivered from Akōstōs heard how he had slain the Apostle, [he sat down] for three days sorrowing for him; and fifteen days after the death of Saint Matthew, the man died also.

8 Here endeth the contending of Saint Matthew, the good Evangelist, the Apostle of our Lord Jesus Christ. Now the consummation of his martyrdom took place on the twelfth day of the month Tēkīmt; glory, and honour, and majesty, and dominion, as are meet, be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit the Vivifier, now and always, and for ever and ever. Amen, Amen. So be it.

The Martyrdom of Saint Luke

1 Here beginneth the Martyrdom of Saint Luke the Evangelist, which took place on the twenty-second day of the month Tōfēmt. In the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen. May his prayer and blessing be with his handmaiden Wafatta Madhan! And it came to pass that, when the Apostles divided the countries of the world amongst them, the city of Rome became the portion of Peter; and certain of the Apostles dwelt with him; their names were Titus of the country of Galilā (Gallia), and Luke of the country of Dalmātyā (Dalmatia). Now when the blessed Peter died in the city of Rome, in the days of Nero the Emperor, the Apostles were scattered abroad, and they preached the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ in all countries. And Nero, the Emperor, who was surnamed Caesar, laid hold upon Paul and cut off his head in the city of Rome; but Saint Luke fled from before the face of the Emperor and escaped, and he was preaching in all the countries and in all the cities which were in those regions. Now he was the scribe of the blessed Peter, and he wrote [the history of] all the beautiful acts which he did [in the countries] wherein he preached in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ; [and he wrought] many marvellous things, and God cast out devils through him, and he healed the sick, and he opened the eyes of the blind, and the lame walked, and he cleansed the lepers, and he made the deaf to hear, and he healed those who were sick, in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 And it came to pass that, when the story of him went forth into all lands, believers were multiplied therein. And he built with his own hands many churches and places [for prayer] in all the lands wherein the people believed in our Lord Jesus Christ; and the believers increased daily, and they observed the rule and the teaching of Saint Luke. And it came to pass that, when the priests of the temple of the gods of the heathen saw the beauty of the faith of the multitude, Satan entered into their hearts, and they took counsel with the Jews who dwelt in those regions; and they gathered themselves together in the temple which was in the great city that was in that region. Now this gathering took place on the twentieth day of the month Maskarram. And it came to pass that, when they were gathered together with the Jews in the temple, the priests and their gods were adorned with rich apparel, and in the temple were draperies (or curtains), and lamps, and sweet scents of every kind; and all the nobles of the kingdom came and took their seats upon their thrones.

3 Then the high priest came unto them, and said, "A certain man, a sorcerer, one of the Twelve men of Galilee, and [some of] the Seventy-two [disciples] whom Jesus, Who is called Christ, appointed to be Apostles unto Himself, have come into our city, and they have multiplied marvellous acts, and all [the people] of Rome have turned unto their doctrine because of their manifold errors and sorceries. Now behold, the Emperor Nero slew many of them, but this man Luke fled and escaped from the Emperor, and he hath led astray many of the people of this region." Thereupon rose up a certain Jew, whose name was Isaac (now he was the chief among the Jewish folk who were in that district), and he said, "Before I came unto this country I lived in Jerusalem with a good man whose name was Gamaliel; and Annas, and Caiaphas, and Alexander, and Rayôlēyôs (Aurelius), were the elders of the people. And they laid hold upon a certain man Whose Name was Jesus, and they passed upon Him sentence of death, and they crucified Him upon a tree, and they killed Him, and they laid Him in the grave; but He rose from the dead on the third day, and it is this Man in Whose Name Luke preacheth." Then all the people answered with one voice, and said unto him, "How could this [Man], Whose Name was Jesus Christ, rise from the dead?" And it came to pass that when all the gods that were in the temple heard the Name of Jesus they fell down and were dashed to pieces. And when the priests saw the destruction of their gods, they rent their garments, and plucked out the hair of their heads, and went forth into the city of Rome. And they cried out unto the Emperor, 158b.

4 saying, "Behold, these men whom they call after Jesus work many sorceries." And the Emperor said unto them, "I have killed all those who believe in this Name, except one man who is called Luke, and he hath escap- "ed out of my hands." Then the people answered and said unto him, "Behold, he hath led astray all the people who live in our country by his teaching, and by making them to believe on Jesus; in our city he healeth those that are sick, whatsoever be their disease, and he healeth multitudes." And it came to pass that, when the Emperor heard these words, he was exceedingly angry, and he gnashed his teeth, and he commanded one of his captains to go with two hundred soldiers to the place where Saint Luke was, and to bring him before him. Now Saint Luke was sitting and teaching the multitude the commandments of the Gospel, and when he had finished his discourse the people dispersed unto their handicrafts. Then the holy man rose up and went forth to the sea, and he found upon the sea-shore an aged man seated catching fish. And he said unto him, "I say unto thee, O man who dost catch fish, come unto me, and I will tell thee what it is necessary for thee to do;" and when the old man had drawn nigh unto him, he saw the grace of God in his face, and he fell down and bowed himself before him. Then the holy man lifted him up, and said unto him, "Behold, the Emperor hath sent unto me a captain with soldiers to bring me unto him, and behold, I know that he hath commanded them to slay me; and I must fulfil the will of God. Take now this book, and lay it up in thy habitation in a pure place, and it shall teach thee the way of life." And the old man took the book from him in faith, and the power of God came down upon him; now his name was Silas, and he was a bold man, and was chosen of God, and he preached in God's Name throughout all the land. Now whilst Saint Luke was holding converse [with the old man] the soldiers of the Emperor came, and they laid hold upon him, and he went with them to Rome, and [came] into the presence of the Emperor; now he had been put in bonds, but he was blessing the Name of God Almighty in his heart. Then the Emperor commanded them to cast him into prison until the morrow.

5 And it came to pass that when the morrow had come he ordered them to bring him into his presence, and to make him to stand bound before him; but Saint Luke ceased not to ascribe praise unto God the whole time, saying, "I give thanks unto Thee, O my Lord Jesus Christ, because Thou hast made me worthy of this honourable position." Now when Saint Luke had come into the presence of the Emperor, he said unto him, "Art thou Luke who hast destroyed all the cities of Rome, and who wouldst restrain the worship of the gods by thy sorcery?" Then Saint Luke answered and said unto him, "Our Lord and Redeemer Jesus Christ saith in the Gospel, If they drive you out from [one] city go ye unto another. Blessed are ye when they shall speak against you all manner [of evil] falsely, for My sake. Rejoice and be glad: for great shall be your reward in heaven. The work of my father Peter is a good work, and this have I learned from him; as for sorcery I have no knowledge thereof, but I do know the Name of my Lord Jesus Christ." And the Emperor said unto the men of his kingdom who were gathered together round about him, "Make ye no mention of the Name of Jesus before my throne;" whereupon straightway all the graven images and idols, which the Emperor used to think were gods and which were about the throne, fell down quickly. And it came to pass that, when the Emperor and all those who were with him saw the mighty deed which Saint Luke had wrought, they cried out, and said, "Drive out this man from our country."

6 And in that same hour the Emperor commanded that they should make Saint Luke to stand up to be scourged, and they beat him with whips of untanned leather until his blood flowed upon the ground like water. Then the Emperor commanded them to cut off his right hand and arm; and straightway the swordsman came and smote at his right hand and arm and cut them off. And the Emperor said unto Saint Luke, "Is this the hand and arm wherewith thou didst write books and lead into error Rome and the people of my kingdom?" And Saint Luke said unto him, "Do not imagine that my God is One Who hath no strength, for I will shew thee His power." And he prayed and said, "O my Lord Jesus Christ, Whom the world hath rejected and Whom we have followed, Thou art the Saviour of souls; Thou dost not desire that error should go forth from me knowingly or unknowingly; now, I am of the children of men, do not Thou therefore perform this mighty act which I beseech Thee to do [for my sake], for I am a sinner, but for the sake of Thy holy Name, and for the sake of Thine exalted power, so that the multitudes may not say, 'Where is their God?' Grant now this act of grace unto Thy servant, and let his arm be healed, and let it become even as it was formerly, for Thine is the glory, and the power for ever. Amen." Then, having made an end of his prayer, he stretched out his left hand and laid hold of his right hand, which had been cut off, and made it to adhere to its [proper] place; and by the power of our Lord Jesus Christ it became alive again (or healed).

7 And it came to pass that, when the Emperor and all those who were sitting with him saw this wonderful thing, they marvelled and said, "Observe ye the might of the work of this sorcerer;" and Saint Luke said unto him, "O my lord, I am not a sorcerer; may my God keep me from becoming one! But I would that thou mightest know the power of my Lord Jesus Christ, and that I am not unwilling [to suffer] the death of this world;" then Saint Luke took hold of his right hand with his left and cut it off again. Now when İnâṭölê, (Anatolius) a prefect of the Emperor, saw this marvel, he, and his wife, and the men of his house, and all his servants (now they were in number two hundred and eighty-seven souls), believed in our Lord Jesus Christ. And the Emperor commanded [his servants] to write down their names, and he passed an order for them [all] to be executed in one day; and this order was carried out on the twenty-second day of the month Ṭēḵemt.

8 Then the Emperor commanded them to cut off the head of Saint Luke, and to put it in a sack made of dark [wool or hair], and to fill the sack with sand and to cast it into the sea. 9 Now when the blessed man had heard this command the Emperor's servants took him out to the sea, so that they might cut off his head, and he said unto the captain of the soldiers, "I entreat you by him that is the greatest, and by him that is the least among you, to bear patiently with me for a little while, until I have prayed unto my God. Then he prayed, saying, "O my Lord Jesus Christ, Who didst create everything by Thy wisdom and according to Thy will; that is to say, the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and everything which moveth therein, grant unto Thy servant power, and grace, and forgiveness of sins and offences, and make him to inherit a portion together with my father Peter. And it came to pass that when the saint had ended his prayer, one of the captains of the soldiers, who was blind in one of his eyes, drew nigh unto him, and came to the saint to cut off his head before he had finished his prayer; and because of this thing he saw with his [blind] eye, and he fell down upon the ground, and said unto the saint, "Forgive me, O thou servant of the good God, for I have blasphemed thee. And the other swordsman drew his sword, and smote Saint Luke on the head and cut it off from his body;

10 and he cut off the head of his fellow captain who had believed also, thus the captain and Saint Luke finished their testimony together. And they placed the body of the saint in a sack made of hair, and cast it into the sea, but by the commandment of God the waves washed it up upon an island; and a certain man who believed in God found it, and took it up out of the water, and buried it, [having swathed it] in fine linen. Now Saint Luke finished his testimony on the twenty-second day of the month Ṭēḵēmt, in the days of the Emperor Nero. Glory be unto God, and unto our Lord and God Jesus Christ, and sovereignty, and power, and honour, and holiness be unto His kingdom, which shall never, never, change; and unto the Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be praise for ever and ever! Amen, Amen, and Amen. So be it. So be it. Hallelujah.

The Preaching of Saint Philip and Saint Peter

1 Here beginneth the Book of the Preaching of Philip, the Apostle of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he preached in the country of Africa (Phrygia?). In the peace of God. May his prayer and his blessing be with his handmaiden Walatta Madhan! Amen. And it came to pass that, when the Apostles were gathered together on the Mount of Olives, and as they were declaring among themselves the praise of God, our Lord and Redeemer Jesus Christ appeared unto them, and said unto them, "Peace be unto you, O My beloved ones; why dwell ye here? And why have ye not gone forth into the world to preach unto the people thereof the Gospel of the Kingdom? And now, cast lots among yourselves, and divide the world into twelve parts, so that ye may go forth and preach unto the people thereof, and give them peace." And He ascended into heaven with great glory. Then the Apostles cast lots, and the lot fell upon Philip to go forth unto the country of Africa (Phrygia?); now he was not loath [to depart]. And he said unto Peter, "Behold, God hath commanded that thou shalt go forth with each one of us unto the country where he is to go; now I wish thee to go forth with me unto my country." And Peter said unto him, "I consent." So Peter and Philip set out on their journey together, and our Lord appeared unto them, and said unto them, "Peace be unto you, O ye chosen Apostles, go ye and tell the story of the Gospel unto all creation, that ye may deliver them from the hand of Satan. Verily I say unto you that ye shall toil in this world until ye shall have brought the people thereof out from darkness into the knowledge of righteousness. Verily I say unto you that your reward shall be great, that ye shall enter into [your] rest, and that ye shall forget your sufferings." And speaking unto them in this wise He gave them the salutation of peace, and went up from them into heaven with glory and splendour.

2 Then Peter and Philip, in the strength of their hearts, journeyed together on their way, and it came to pass that when the two Apostles had drawn nigh unto the city there came in their path a certain man who was possessed of an unclean spirit, and he cried out, saying, "O Apostles of Christ, I will not let you enter into the city." And Peter knew that the spirit was a devil, and in that same hour he adjured him, and Satan went forth from him, and the man was made whole, and followed the Apostles unto the city. Now there [stood] upon the top of the gate [of the city] a certain very high pillar, and when Peter and Philip came to the gate, Peter made supplication unto God, saying, "I entreat thee, O my Lord Jesus Christ, that this gate and this high pillar, and the things which are upon it, may be hurled down to the earth as soon as my hand cometh upon it and layeth hold upon it." Then in that same hour the gate, and the pillar, and the things that were thereon came down upon the ground, and they lay upon it as flat as (or level with) the surface thereof. And Peter spake unto the man out of whom the unclean spirit had gone, and commanded him to go up on the pillar and to declare and to utter with his mouth certain words whereby awful things might come upon the people of the city; and the man went up on the pillar which was over the gate, and on the things that were [there]. Then Peter said, "In the Name of my Lord Jesus Christ, let [this pillar] be raised up even as it was before;" and in that same hour the gate, and the pillar, and the things which were upon it, were raised up until they became of the same height as they were formerly. And the man cried out with a loud voice, and said, "O ye men who are in this city, return ye to the place wherein are the Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, that they may bless you, and may make supplication for you, that He may forgive you your sins." And it came to pass that, when the man who was standing on the top of the pillar had said these words, there were thunders and lightnings; and the people of the city were terrified and afraid exceedingly, and they went into caverns, and into holes in the earth, and to the islands, but the lightnings followed hard upon them wherever they went. And many men, and many women likewise, died through the sound [of the thunders], and the earthquake, and the lightnings. Now by reason of this multitudes of the people came unto the Apostles, and they looked upon them, and their hands were stretched out, and they were praying unto God; and the people fell down upon the ground and prostrated themselves before the Apostles, weeping and saying unto them, "O servants of God, we beseech you to shew com-passion upon us, and may the new gods whom we know not have mercy upon us. And tell us what ye desire, and what offerings ye would have, so that we may offer them unto you, and we entreat you to remove from us these fearful and terrible things."

3 Then the Apostles besought God Almighty on their behalf, and the earthquake ceased, and the lightning departed, and the man held his peace, and the gate came down with the pillar, [and was] even as it had been; and the man came down from the top of the pillar. And it came to pass that, when those who were assembled there saw that the man was holding his peace, and that the fearful things had passed away, they said, "This man is God. Then they cried out with one voice, saying, "Art thou God Al-mighty or not? Let us know who thou art. And the man said unto them, "I am not God. I should be a man like unto yourselves were it not for this word which the Spirit of God hath spoken from my mouth, and for the commandments of the holy Apostles. But come unto the holy disciples, Peter and Philip, O all ye who dwell [here], and hearken [unto them], and gain knowledge, and ye shall be saved. Then the people rose up and came unto the Apostles, and embraced their feet, and said unto them, "Who are ye? And Philip said unto them, "Which of the gods do ye worship? And they said unto him, We worship the image of an eagle of gold. And Philip said unto them, "Go ye and bring him unto me; and they did even as he had commanded them.

4 Then the priests cried out, saying, "Do not destroy the gods of the city who bring you salvation at all times, so that when war riseth up against you ye may cry out unto them, and they shall help you. And the men of the city said unto them, "It is better for us to accept the words of the disciples than your words. These gods are the work of the hand of man, and they see not, and they hear not, and they smell not, and they walk not." 5 And it came to pass that, when they had brought the gods unto the Apostles, the priests cried out and said unto the Apostles, "Ye are leading astray men by your enchantments, and ye say concerning a man the Man to Whom MARY gave birth, and Whom Pilate slew that He is God. Hath there ever been a god whom a man could scourge? Hath there ever been a god who could die? And as for these figures of gold and silver which we fashion and call gods, they cannot suffer pain, and they cannot feel." Then the power of the Holy Spirit descended upon Philip, and our Lord Jesus Christ strengthened him with His own power, and he made supplication, and said, "O my Lord Jesus Christ, by Thy will let fire descend from heaven and consume these evil and unjust priests, so that [the people] may know that they are deceivers even unto this day." And in that same hour a cloud of fire came down from heaven, and encircled those wicked and unjust priests, that [the people] might know [them to be deceivers]; and it smote them without doing any harm to the people. Now the priests within the fire were weeping by reason of their tribulation and fear. Then Philip said unto them, "Why weep ye?" And they cried out and said, "[Because] when war riseth up against you, and ye cry out unto your gods to save you and your cities (or countries) [they will not do so.]"

6 Then Peter took up the image of gold and cast it into the fire to the place wherein were the priests. And the image of gold answered and said, "O disciples of Jesus Christ, punish ye me not, but have compassion upon me, and judge ye between me and these sinful men. I am of the matter of the earth, but these men have fashioned me, and purified me, and they have made me by their skill into the form in which ye now see me; and they set me in a temple, and they used to sacrifice beasts unto me, and to mix their blood with wine, and they led men astray by telling them that I ate up these sacrifices. Now I neither eat, nor drink, nor hold converse with anyone, and verily I am not a being who should hold converse with you; but it is the power which dwelleth in you that maketh me worthy to speak with this people, and to chide them concerning the wickedness of their works." And when the figure had spoken these words it held its peace.

7 Then the priests made fervent supplication unto the Apostles that they would cause them to come forth from the fire so that it might not consume them utterly, and [they promised] to do all that they commanded them. And Philip said unto them, "If ye forsake your evil gods, and will say, 'We believe in our Lord Jesus Christ,' we will, in this same hour, speak the word in His Name whereby this cloud of fire shall go up from you." Then they all cried out with a loud voice, and said, "We believe in God Almighty thy God, and in Jesus His Word, and in the Holy Spirit;" and in that same hour the flame of fire was lifted up from them, and [the place] became like a lake of water, sweet and white like milk, so that they all marvelled. 1632. And those who were assembled there fervently entreated the Apostles to command them what it was necessary for them to do that they might make right their belief; and Philip said unto them, "We command you to build a church in this place wherein we may teach men, for it is in this place that ye have [first] believed;" and they consented [to do] even as he had said unto them. Then Philip commanded them to bring unto him dried grass (or reeds), and he marked out the foundations of the church, and he ordered them to dig out the foundations; thus Philip founded the church. And it came to pass that when they had performed his behests and they had finished their work, Philip came unto the gate of the city whereon stood the pillar. And he said, "In the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ the Nazarene, I command thee to depart from this place unto the church which hath been called after the Name of God;" and in that same hour the gate fell down, and the pillar which stood upon it formerly came down from it, and they moved onwards in front of the multitudes unto the place where they had built the church, 1632. and no sound was heard to proceed from them, and no dust rose up. Then the multitudes said, "There is no god except the God of Peter and Philip, the servants of Jesus Christ."

8 Then Philip turned towards those who were gathered together there, and said unto them, "Behold, we have already built a church and a house of God, I now desire ye to gather together young women who are virgins to carry water, and men, both old and young, and all the people of the city, that each one, according to his power, may work in the house of God;" and there was no man among the multitudes who refused [to do] that which Philip commanded him. And the Apostles were dwelling in the house of Kērōn, a nobleman (or governor) of the city, and they were rejoicing because the multitudes had so speedily accepted the faith. 9 And our Lord Jesus Christ took the form of a man of shining appearance, and He appeared unto the Apostles, and said unto them, "My peace be with you, O My chosen Apostles! Behold, I have seen that the faith of the men of this city is good, why then do ye remain in the house? Get ye forth to them that ye may teach them the word of life and the command of righteousness, and be not unmindful of them [i. e., of the other peoples of the world]. Whatsoever ye shall ask of Me, that will I give unto you." And when our Lord Jesus Christ had spoken [these words] unto them (now He was in the form of a man radiant with light), He went up into heaven with great glory. Then the faces of Peter and Philip were bright with the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ, Who had appeared unto them in the house. And when they had gone forth unto the multitude and the people saw the light of their faces, they fell down prostrate before them upon the ground; and the Apostles blessed them, and lifted them up, and they taught them and confirmed them in the true faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, and commanded them not to return unto their sins. And as the people received the blessing from the Apostles the number of the multitudes increased; and they marvelled at the glory of God which rested upon their faces.

10 Now there was a certain man among them upon whom a devil had laid hold, and he cried out with a loud voice, saying, "I beseech you, O ye servants of Christ, not to inflict punishment upon me, and I will go forth from him." And that unclean spirit cast the man down upon the ground, and then went forth from him; and Peter and Philip commanded the devil to depart from him and never again to return into him; and the man who had been made whole bowed down at the feet of the Apostles, and embraced Peter and Philip. Then the people gathered themselves together unto the lake which had formed in the place, where had been the cloud of fire that had surrounded the priests, which had now become water, and they were baptized therein in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. And the Apostles said unto the multitudes, "God hath remitted unto you your sins which ye committed without knowledge; now therefore press onward towards good works, so that ye may be worthy of the beautiful kingdom of heaven which abideth [for ever]."

11 Then the people cried out with a loud voice, saying, "We give thanks unto Thee, O Lord God of Peter and Philip, because Thou hast had compassion upon us, and hast taught us, and because the Apostles have con-secrated a church [for us], whereto the people gather themselves together in joy and in gladness." Then Philip read unto them the Books of the Law and the Prophets, and Peter interpreted them unto them in the Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ. Then straightway did the people of the multitudes rejoice in the knowledge of the faith, and they were prepared to receive the Mysteries, and the Apostles having first of all prayed the prayer of consecration and brought it to an end, gave unto the people of the Body of our Lord, and of His precious Blood. And the multitudes came forward and received the Body and the precious Blood in faith, and he gave them the salutation of peace; and he dwelt with them for six days, teaching them the commandments of God until they had learned [them]. Then the Apostles appointed them Bishops, and priests, and deacons, and they departed from them, glorifying God, and marvelling at the mighty acts which they had wrought in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to Whom be the glory and honour which are meet for Him, and for His Father, and for the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. Amen.