CHAPTER XXIII

MAVIA, QUEEN OF THE SARACENS.—ORDINATION OF MOSES, A MONK

AT this period the tribes of Ishmaelites ravaged the provinces situated on the frontiers of the empire. They were led by Mavia, who, notwithstanding her sex, possessed masculine intrepidity. After several engagements, she made peace with the Romans; and having received the light of the knowledge of God, she requested that a certain man named Moses, who dwelt on the borders of Egypt and Palestine, might be ordained bishop of her nation. Valens acceded to the request, and desired that the holy man should be conveyed, to Alexandria, and that he should there receive the holy rite of ordination; for this city was nearer his place of residence than any other. After his arrival at Alexandria, when he found that Lucius desired to lay his hands upon him for the purpose of ordination, he said, “God forbid that I should receive ordination at your hands; for the grace of the Spirit is not given in answer to your prayers.” “Upon what ground,” said Lucius, “do you hazard these conjectures?” “I say what I positively know,” replied he, “not what I conjecture. You oppose the apostolical doctrines, and you speak against them; and the iniquity of your actions coincides with the blasphemy of your words. Whom have you not employed to disturb the assemblies of the church? Which of the eminent men have you not exiled? What inhumanity can be compared, in point of cruelty, to that exhibited in your daily actions?” Lucius was deeply incensed, and wished to put him to death; but, not daring to renew a war which had but just been terminated, he ordered him to be conveyed to the other bishops by whom he desired to be ordained. After having received, in addition to his fervent faith, the archiepiscopal dignity, he, by his apostolical doctrines, and by the working of miracles, led many to the knowledge of the truth. Such were the crimes perpetrated by Lucius in Alexandria, and thus did Divine Providence frustrate his designs.