8.5

 

 

Then a presbyter of the basilica swelled with rage because the saint had left nothing to that church in which he was buried, and he said 'Many people used to say that Nicetius was insensitive; it can now be clearly seen, since he has left nothing to the church in which he was buried.' But the following night he appeared in shining robes to the presbyter, accompanied by two bishops, Justus and Eucherius, to whom he said, 'This presbyter, my very holy brothers, covered me with blasphemies when he said that I had left nothing to this temple in which I rest. He does not realise that I have left there the most precious thing I have, the dust of my body.' And they replied, 'It is indeed wicked to disperage a servant of God.' The holy man turned to the priest and hit him on the throat with his fists and hands, saying 'Sinner, you ought to be crushed underfoot; cease your stupid mutterings!' The presbyter woke up with a swollen throat, which was so painful that he could swallow his saliva only with great difficulty. He had to stay in bed for forty days in considerable pain, but having called on the name of the confessor he was restored to health, and never again dared to prate such words as he had earlier presumed to do.

 

(trans. James 1991: 55, slightly altered by J. Szafranowski)