XXXV.
NOV. 29. PASSION OF CHRYSANTHUS AND HIS WIFE DARIA.
At the time when the Emperor Numerianus
was reigning, there went a certain nobleman
from the city of Alexandria to the city of Rome,
called Polemius, who was an idolater;
and he had a son called Chrysanthus.
Then the emperor received him with great worship,
and the Roman senators honoured him exceedingly.
Then he straightway set his son to the learning
of worldly wisdom, that he might become a philosopher;
because in those days no one could be distinguished
unless he had learned heathen books,
and knew the arts which emperors then loved.
So Chrysanthus learned with quick intelligence
and with skilful mind the grammatical art,
and the heathen books, until the holy gospels
came into his hand. Then said he to himself;
'thus long have I learned faithless books
filled with darkness, until I suddenly came
to the light of truth, and I shall not be wise
if I turn to darkness from the true light.
Let us hold fast that fair treasure;
I will not lose it now that I have laboured so long;
in vain have I lived if I now let it go.'
Then began he earnestly to seek out the Christians
until he found out a venerable mass-priest
living far off, and he rejoiced thereat.
He was thereupon baptized by the aforesaid priest,
and learned his faith with that holy teacher,
so that he knew the Christian religion in its fullness,
and began boldly to preach the Saviour.
