1. I'll see if I can capture him in a picture. He loves the flags on the castle best of all.
2. was true, in fact. Um... I can't comment much more on that one. It is a very funny movie.
3. Ok, so I'll just break my rule and post the story before it is mailed in the newsletter:
The glory of Rome that had once stood against countless adversaries was no more. Justice was nonexistent. The heart of the beloved city was destroyed - destroyed by its own protector. Cosmos’ family moved into the home of Calixtus, which was then almost fully repaired. Cosmos tried his best to rebuild the culture of the old Rome he loved, though he was never the same after the fateful incident.
The streets crawled with soldiers and hundreds of Christians were captured daily. Those who were Roman citizens were executed as criminals. But, the slaves, any foreigners, and members of the lower class were kept for the coliseums. The people lived in constant fear since Romans’ thirst for blood often led to the deaths of non-Christians as well.
Calixtus kept his doors locked at all times and was the only one, save Cosmos and some servants, who ever stirred outdoors. Diana occupied herself with helping the servants, especially Justin, whose company she invited. There was much work still to be done to repair the remaining damage to the house. At this time, she asked many questions about Jesus and His miracles. It was a blessed time for them until, one day, there came the inevitable.
Justin and Diana were on their hands and knees scrubbing the floor with rags to remove a thick layer of soot. Diana said, “Surely Jesus did not found His Church only to let it die out. Maybe…” she looked hopefully at the boy beside her, “Maybe you are meant to hide and live to spread the Faith.” But, he did not answer or look at her. He only dropped his shoulders as if a weight had been placed on his back and continued to scrub. Refusing to give up her case, she continued, “We could escape the city and go to Greece where we can hide and wait out the persecution. Surely, to remain is to threaten our loved ones’ lives, since they are harboring enemies of the Emperor.” Again, he did not respond, but only scrubbed the harder. Finally, she burst out, “Oh, Justin! Must we die to prove our faith?”
At that, he rose and put his hand on her shoulder to comfort her. “No. We do not have to die for Christ to prove we are His followers. In that fact, I want you to remain steadfast. But, There is no need to hide from the executioners. If God Wills me to die for Him and the souls of those who would harm Him, then I will happily die.” There was a pause before he moved so that they faced each other. “Diana, there will come a time when I will no longer be here.” She started in surprise and mumbled contradictions. He continued, “I want you to promise me that when I am gone, you will continue to live the Christian Faith, regardless of any threat that might come your way. Do you promise?”
She stared at him, “I don’t understand you…”
“There is something I have been keeping from you that I think you should now know.” He sat beside her.
“Do you remember a slave who came to warn my master of the fire?”
“Yes,” she said. “The poor man.”
“He was my equal in this house. Do you also remember the Christian who we witnessed stoned to death?” Instead of replying, Diana slightly gasped as if she anticipated his next words. He said, “They were one and the same.”
“But, that means…” she whispered.
“That means that they will come for me. The soldiers know where the Christian slaves are; they know Calixtus owns two Christian slaves. One is dead, the other is in this house. If I do not stay and be given up to the soldiers, my master will be tried for intentionally harboring Christians against the law of Rome. Now, you see that I must stay.”
They heard loud noises of footfalls and some shrieks from outside. Justin rose and looked out. He anxiously turned back to Diana, who was also on her feet. “I haven’t much time,” he said. “When I am gone, you should try to get out of the city. Use the excuse of health and do not let any of your family know; it would risk their lives as well as yours.”
Just then, loud thumps pounded on the front door downstairs. He dusted his off hands and reached for the door to the hall. He turned back and said, “Goodbye, fair Diana. We will meet in a better place.”
In a flash, he was gone from her. She stood stunned for a few seconds, hardly believing the truth of what was happening. Then, she ran through the doorway, down the hall, and stumbled down the steps to be faced with several Roman soldiers. Calixtus and Cosmos were present as well as their wives and some frightened servants. The centurion said to Calixtus, “Surrender your Christian slaves at once in the name of Rome.”
Justin stepped forth and said, “I am the one you are looking for. Take me to my death, for I long to be with my Lord in Heaven.” Two soldiers bound his hands and they disappeared out the door. The centurion remained, however. He looked Calixtus in the eye and then traveled to each person in the room. Diana fearfully embraced a column for strength and hid her face behind it. The officer continued, “Can each of you tell me in the name of truth and justice that there is no other Christian among you?”
“There is no other,” said Calixtus. The centurion looked skeptically at each person again. Finally, satisfied, he turned to go. “Wait!” said a voice. The word made him stop. He looked around the room. “Who spoke thus?” he said.
Diana stepped forward in everyone’s sight. “I did.” Everyone in the room stared at her in shock. “There is another,” she said, “whom you must take as well.”
“Rome smiles upon such women of honesty,” said the centurion. “Name the Christian.”
With a slight tremble she said, “It is I.”
The whole room gasped! Diana’s mother approached the officer and pleaded, “Sir, my daughter has suffered many frights of late. She is confused. Pray! Do not heed her.” But, he shook her off and faced Diana.
He said, “Rome has no need for the life of a lady. Your bravery I admire, but I do not wish your death. Renounce your words and I will not prosecute you.”
Cosmos said to his daughter, “Diana I pray you, what is wrong with your mind? How could you utter such falsehood?” And to the centurion he added, “I will speak for her, sir; she is delirious.”
“I am not,” she said, this time in a strong, steady voice. “I am of sound mind and determined purpose. I did not speak before because I was afraid. But, I am not afraid now. When you challenged me, I met it and I fully mean to meet my death.”
Still shocked at her valiance, the centurion said, “You are a citizen of Rome. You will be tried before a court. If I cannot convince you, perhaps they can.”
“I assure you,” she said, “I will not be persuaded. I wish to die with the slave you have arrested. We are all equals in the Eternal Kingdom and I wish to be with him to the end.”
“Very well,” said the centurion. “Come.”
And, so Diana and Justin were led to the coliseum where they were held with hundreds of others. Never again was Diana afraid; never was she afraid of death. She believed that, in a few hours, she would meet the God whom she loved. In parting from the Christians, the centurion took Diana’s hand in his and said, “Never have I known a nobler heart. When you enter into the Kingdom, pray for me, a sinner.”
When the time came, the Christians were herded like animals up a small staircase into the great arena. They sang hymns to the Lord, lifting the entire structure with songs of Christ’s Love. Justin took Diana’s hand in his. He turned her so that they faced each other.
“Do not be afraid,” he said.
“I am not,” she replied. “The lions are but the angels who are to carry us to He that we love.”
The End
[Tell me what you think, please!!]
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