Читать книгу The Journey: How an obscure Byzantine Saint became our Santa Claus - David Price Williams - Страница 52

down the street and back to the centre of the city. Irene didn’t say a word about what had just happened and it wasn’t until we got back to our own house that I plucked up courage.

“Who was that gentleman, Irene?” I asked.

“That was Nicodemus, one of the elders in our church in Patara. I hope I did the right thing taking you to meet him. He is a wonderful inspiration to us. You see, I have been a Christian for some years now and we generally meet in Nicodemus’ villa for our eucharist. That’s the meal we share to commemorate the death of our Lord Jesus Christ, who was crucified by the Romans over two hundred years ago and who died to save us all. We are small in number, but we are growing every day.”

I was impressed that she had kept her counsel about her beliefs for so long without confiding in me or my father.

“They are like a great family to me, you see Nicholas. They are always there to help, never to criticize. They have become my reason to live, my guiding light. And I am sure they will support me now that my job is finished in this house.”

“But why, Irene? Why are you thinking of leaving? I am still here and you know how to run the household. Please don’t go. Stay with me and look after the house. I haven’t got anyone else.”

So it was arranged that Irene would stay on as the mater familias and minister to me and manage whatever needed doing in the

THE JOURNEY