Chapter 11

Concerning the Miracle That Occurred in Apamea Through the Precious and Life-giving Wood of the Cross by Evagrius

Evagrius recounts in his ecclesiastical history as follows: “Since we have reached this point in the history, I will also relate the miracle that occurred here, which has proved worthy of the present history. When the servants learned that Antioch was being set on fire by the Apameans, they begged the bishop Thomas to bring forth and present the life-giving and saving wood of the Cross beyond the customary time, so that they might see it for the last time and kiss it—the only salvation of mankind—and might receive as provision for the other life the precious Cross escorting them to the better end. Thomas, having done this, brought forth the life-giving wood. So my parents came along with the others, bringing me as I attended an elementary teacher. When we were deemed worthy to venerate and kiss the Precious Cross, Thomas raised both hands and displayed the wood of the Cross, the means of erasing the ancient curse, moving all around the divine sanctuary, as was customary in the solemn processions of veneration. And as Thomas moved about, there followed a great mass of fire, flashing but not burning, so that the whole space where he stood and displayed the Precious Cross seemed to be ablaze. And this happened not once, not twice, but many times, as the priest went around the whole space there, and the assembled people entreated Thomas to do this, which also prophesied the salvation that came to the people of Apamea. An image was therefore set up on the ceiling of the sanctuary, proclaiming these things in painting to those who did not know, which was preserved until the invasion of Adaarmanes and the Persians.” (Vol. 4, Series 29).