(The novel by Nicea 3/7) The pass and the deacon Petronia

Episode 3

The Demetrios scribe is on the way to Nicae with Alexandros, the Patriarch of Alexandria. An initiatory journey for this young man who, little by little, takes the measure of the event of which he will witness.

Luck is with them. The first days of crossing the large sea went smoothly. It must be said that the imperial boat on which the Patriarch Alexandros and his group took place is made for the high seas, with its powerful large sail and its deep hold. Well installed at the front of the ship, eyes fixed on the open sea, the young Demetrios finally discovers the other side of the horizon.

Behind him, under the canvases erected on the deck, the travelers shelter from the wind and the sun. There are several imperial officials who come from mission, army officers in succession and some traders who negotiate the best prices for the Egyptian producers of wheat, wine, cotton and incense. And this small group of Alexandria, who goes to Nikeia with Alexandros. Alongside his trusted man, Athanasios, the patriarch took Simonos, an Ethiopian priest who speaks of many languages, and two deacons, a woman and a man: Petronia, who accompanied women to baptism, and often long after, and who has taken over the logistical life of the small group; And Eustreios, a man with an emaciated face, puny but of constant energy, who prepares meals. “Here, little master, that’s your part,” he says with a big smile as a Demetrios whenever he brings him bread, fruit or a bowl of his delicious oat porridge with milk and vegetables.

That afternoon, Demetrios, a pensive, sits near Petronia. “Son, Alexandria is you missing?” She questions her. “It is especially my mother who I miss …” he dares to entrust this woman whom he knows little. “It has already been three winters that the disease has won. Petronia remains in silence. “What the Lord makes us live is a funny way,” she suddenly whispers, before adding: “But what I know is that in the sorrows as in the joys, he walks by our side. »»

The stopovers are linked: Crete, Rhodos, and now Ephesos, where the Egyptian delegation is welcomed by a former of this venerable Christian community founded by the Apostle Paulos himself (1) at the beginnings of the Church. From there, it will be by the Roman road which goes up full north that the journey will continue.

The Emperor Constantinos did things right: with the summons for the Council in Nikeia, he sent to each delegation a pass which gives access to all the imperial advantages throughout the journey to facilitate travel and be accommodated. Two frames were also made available to them. The horse is reserved for Alexandros whose legs would no longer have supported the long road. The mule, driven by Eustreios, bags bags and luggage.

That evening, like every evening, Athanasios dictated the missives that the patriarch asked him to send during the day. As he takes the air on the roof terrace, Petronia approaches him. “You know, Demetrios, I too have in my heart the pain of absences. Nothing knowing what to answer, the young man keeps silence. The deacon continues: “You make me think so much of my brother. He too is missing. His eyes shine with tears.

“Twenty years ago, he and I were one of those of the great ordeal, when the Diocletianus emperor decided to stop Christians to force them to abjure (2) . We were thrown into jails. We wanted to make us lose all hope. Demetrios takes his hand, like a child that of his mother. “To try to save my brother’s life, I publicly denied my Christian faith. I betrayed the Lord. And just after, before my eyes, they still executed my brother. How to live after that? »»

She is now crying hot tears. “Lapsi (3) ». The word suddenly dates back into the thought of Demetrios. He has already heard the ancients pronounce it, but without ever grasping why it was most often with disdain. These “traitors to faith” have often been rejected once the persecution is over. Looking at the woman who cries by his side, he finally understands the pain, the injustice, the drama of these situations … and also the goodness of the heart of Alexandros, who welcomed her in his advice to raise and release her from her inner curse.

Next week The emperor is preparing the council.

Greek names

In the 4th century, Greek was the language usually spoken in the Roman Empire. We have kept the consonance for the names: Alexandria (Alexandria), Nikeia (Nicea), Crete (Crete), Epheosos (Ephesus), Rhodos (Rhodes)…