Caesarea proved to be as magnificent a city as Nicomedia, with a great amphitheater and a palacecitadel where Diocletian took up his headquarters while they waited for auxiliary troops from nearby districts to augment the forces being prepared for the move southward against Alexandria.
Constantine was eating dinner early one evening on a balcony of the palace looking westward toward a range of hills shutting the coastal plain away from a mountain whose most striking characteristic was a towering snowclad peak, colored a vivid pink now by the dying rays of the sun when a visitor was announced. He looked up from his eating to see a slender man in his early thirties, wearing the simple robe of rough material he’d come to associate with Christian priests.
“Noble Tribune.” The newcomer bowed. “My name is Eusebius Pamphilus.”
“A Christian, and a priest?”
“Yes.”
“What brings you here, sir?” Constantine gestured toward a chair. “I’m sure you know I am not of your faith.”
“But you are the son of Caesar Constantius?”
“Yes.”
“And known to my friend Theognis of Nicaea?”
“I have met the priest Theognis. But how did you know about that?”
“We were students together at the school of Pamphilus, the Presbyter of Caesarea.”
“Presbyter?” Constantine frowned. “The word is not familiar.” “In our church it means a leader,” Eusebius explained. “Pamphilus operated a school for priests here at Caesarea and I am custodian of his library.”
‘Why did you come to see me?”
“Yesterday the Emperor made a sacrifice in the Temple of Apollo. The High Priest examined the entrails of the animal, seeking an omen of the coming campaign in Egypt, and promised a victory ” “But in words that leave a way out if things go wrong,” Constantine reminded him.
“The priest also advised the Emperor to slaughter the inhabitants of Alexandria until their blood touches the knees of his horse.” “Surely you don’t ask clemency for rebels who massacre Roman soldiers.”
The Apostle Paul
“No,” Eusebius said. ‘The Apostle Paul taught us to pray for kings and for all who are in authority over us. Rebels must be punished, of course, or there will be anarchy and all will eventually suffer. But Alexandria was one of the earliest centers of our faith outside Palestine and many Christians live there. I know from reports received here that they are not in revolt, but if there is widespread slaughter after your victory, they will suffer, though innocent.”
“I remember hearing Theognis speak of this man Paul,” Constantine said. “You Christians seem to put much dependence in him.” “He was our greatest teacher after Jesus himself. The letters he wrote to the young churches he established are part of our Scriptures. I am sure you would find them interesting.”
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