A possess life on earth separated, they gained the life in heaven gathered together, seeing themselves and rejoicing. For it was not desirable to them to live divided for a short time, but it was their longing to live always gathered together, and to praise the Giver of life. Whence, also, being destined to suffer, they did not reckon it suffering to expose themselves to dangers; but, being afflicted with lighter struggles, they strove to suffer more vehemently. In these struggles, even if often the judges, who worshipped many gods and were godless, were moved to mercy—on account of the seductive disposition of the saints—these noble-minded ones washed away these [offers of mercy] with illicit insults, rousing them to a more spirited anger in their punishments; so that through a more bitter torment, they might procure a more glorious contemplation; as it is possible to relate the example: Just as in a horse race, a charioteer, through the slow course of the horses under the chariot showing the variable and arduous struggle of the contest, finally obtains the prize of victory; so also the chorus of the saints, diffused throughout the whole world, hastened to offer multiple struggles to the King of the ages, B receiving from thence a more splendid reward for their labors, and bringing forth from thence a more illustrious eternal memory of praise, mindful of the apostolic word which says: “Each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.” For the love of Him who first suffered for them drew them, and gave them the example of such great fortitude in suffering; just as a hook cast into the abyss of the sea draws the swimming fish to the hands of the fisherman. Hence, pursuing greater things and spurning lesser ones, they seized upon incorruption in place of corruptible things. For no longer did fatherland, or kinship, or the opulence of riches, or the number of armies, or the advancement of princely power dwell in the memory of the saints; for they looked toward a fatherland, heaven; toward kinsmen, the angels; where the magnitude of joy is C ineffable, and songs of those keeping festival in the spirit, and the voice of those singing of gladness, and the delights of divinity. And it was possible to see between judges and judged, or rather, between those punishing and those being punished, a portent unusual and a matter most stupendous; for while the former were moved by anger and, as if mocked, were bitterly punishing, the latter, being of a lofty spirit, were found to be rejoicing in their various punishments. For a portion of the rewards was given in the ages to both, according to the measure of Him who distributes rewards to each one according to his estimation, Christ; for these, a solace of patience after the endurance of the punishments brought upon them; for those, the striking of bitter torments upon those who had inflicted the cruel punishments, like an anvil struck and chastising those who had struck it. For how can an anvil, being struck, admitting neither spot nor wrinkle, send back the pains of torment to those who strike it through the crushing of limbs? Which can be spoken of in figure by way of comparison. For some of the famous martyrs, completing their course of the struggle through fire, being cast into a furnace burning fiercely, celebrated D dances with angels in spiritual songs to the Judge of the contest;
A and being refreshed by the soot of the foreign flame, they sent back the burning energies to those who were serving them, as it is possible to say: *In the works of his own hands the sinner was caught* (Ps. IX, 17). Others, however, having been torn apart in the stadium of the hunt for the devouring of beasts, holding the fear of the expected devouring as nothing, prepared an untroubled mind for themselves; they stood ready to suffer for the sake of living, offering themselves with thanksgiving. But the fierce and untamed beasts, frequently sparing those who were being judged and rushing speedily toward the judges, showed the mangled remains to those who were watching with their teeth; so that from this, in a universal harmony, they might magnify God. For they saw the beasts despising the gods; and it was possible to behold a strange intertwining of what was happening: judges judging and being punished, and those condemned, being requited for their punishments; which also is worthy to be boasted of in song. O prodigies of power possessing strength above strength! O gifts of providence, providing for what is advantageous beyond understanding! B
And these indeed were thus voluntarily condemned, but effectively absolved, and received the spontaneous rest of sleep; but others, not so; for we have said before, beloved, according to the measure of Him who awards the contests, Christ, towards that which is advantageous. But how? They received the trial of mockery, and scourging, and imprisonment; others, however, being stoned, sawn apart, and slaughtered, left behind the corruption of this present time. And neither fire, nor sword, nor the throwing of stones, nor caldrons, nor scrapers, nor stranglers, nor any other painful torment of punishments, turned aside the brave struggles of the noble saints; but conquering in all these, and vehemently loving Him who loved them, they left behind for us the God-gathered relics. And how God-gathered? Let us learn, beloved. For when some saints were cut down by the sword, their bodies, as filth, were cast upon the ground by the impious judges into places accustomed to beasts and were preserved whole; and no beast, nor any other of the animals accustomed to eating flesh, was able to touch them; but that which they were accustomed by habit to eat even more pleasantly, this, contrary to nature, they omitted, exhibiting an unusual habit of guardianship for the bodies; and they who were formerly slayers of men became, thereafter, guardians of the bodies. For their bodies were not common, fitting for the food of beasts, but chosen for an extraordinary benefit; which constitutes a great difference for those who listen securely. C For there are times when some bodies, having been cast down together with the chosen ones, were preserved unharmed, while others were consumed. And of others of the saints, who were martyred by being burned with fire, the dust shone like light to those who faithfully gathered it. Of others, again, who were cut into pieces member by member, the bones, as things loathed by the torturers, were cast into rivers, and they did not sink to the downward depths due to their natural weight, but, floating upon the upper surface of the waters like cork, as stars