Читать книгу The Journey: How an obscure Byzantine Saint became our Santa Claus - David Price Williams - Страница 82

When they had all finished what was before them, a man in a white toga raised his hands in blessing, gave thanks to almighty God and wished them all well, after which they all intoned “Amen.” Polios led me across the room to the man in white and introduced him to me as Eusebius.

“Eusebius is one of the elders here, but he is much more than that. He’s a scholar and a teacher and understands more about our faith than anyone I know. He has studied all the scriptures and the commentaries. He actually comes from Caesarea in Palestine where he was instructed by Dorotheus of Tyre, one of our most important church fathers.”

“Whilst what he says is true, Nicholas, don’t pay much attention to him! I’m just like anyone else. But I do try to teach people about the kingdom of God when I get the opportunity. Are you of our faith Nicholas?” asked Eusebius.

I was eager to answer him.

“No, but I should like to learn and to become as you all are. What do I have to do?”

Eusebius quickly replied, “I will introduce you to Theodorus our ‘Episkopos’ here, our bishop. Let’s see what he says. I would ask Polios to wait here a moment. Come.”

We walked across the room into a small office in the corner where a particularly august old gentleman was seated reading.

THE JOURNEY