“I am a Christian,” she said quietly. “We are forbidden to worship any god except our own, and any graven image.”
“But it is dangerous to be a Christian.” He was serious now, for he had taken an instantaneous liking to this lovely young girl, more of a liking, he admitted, than for any young woman he had ever known.
“We have been persecuted before,” she said with the same calmness. “The Lord Christ has always protected us.”
“What about those who were crucified, or burned as torches by Nero?”
“They dwell with Jesus in Heaven.”
“How do you know that?”
“He told us so himself in the Holy Scriptures when he said, ‘God so loved the world that he sent his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.’ That’s why evil people who seek to destroy our faith always fail.”
“Diocletian is beginning to listen to Galerius and some others who want to destroy the Christians.”
“Then he must destroy his own wife, Prisca, and his daughter, Valeria.”
“Who says they are Christians?”
“I cannot tell you.”
“Because you have no proof?”
“No. Because one day you may have to order soldiers to kill us.” “I don’t make war on women and children,” he said stiffly. “Or on old men. Your secret is quite safe with me.”
“What secret?” Helena had come into the garden in time to hear the last word.
Minervina is a Christian
“Did you know Minervina is a Christian?”
“Of course. It’s one reason why she is good and kind, and why I love her.”
“And why she may be put to death one day,” Constantine said harshly. “Don’t tell me you have been following their barbarous practices, Mother eating flesh and drinking blood?”
“What fool’s prattle have you been listening to?” Helena said scornfully. “Christians are good people who help each other and serve their god. Tomorrow is their Sabbath; come listen to them and learn the truth.”
“They subvert the authority of the Emperor and the gods of Rome. Do you expect an officer of the Empire to listen to such gabble?”
“Come with Minervina and me tomorrow and discover the truth,” Helena dared him. “Even a centurion of the Imperial Guard can learn from a scholar like Theognis of Nicaea. Uncle Marios keeps a tunic and cloak here to change into after riding from Nicomedia. You’re not too far from the same size and nobody need recognize your rank.”
Read More about Flavius Valerius Constantinus a centurion assigned henceforth
