Chapter
XXIX
.—
Discovery of the Remains of the Prophets Habakkuk
and Micah. Death of the Emperor Theodosius the Great
.
While
the Church everywhere was
under the sway of these eminent men, the clergy and people were excited
to the imitation of their virtue and zeal. Nor was the Church of this
era distinguished only by these illustrious examples of piety; for the
relics of the proto-prophets,
1574
Habakkuk, and a little while after, Micah, were brought to light about
this time. As I understand, God made known the place where both these
bodies were deposited by a divine vision in a dream to Zebennus, who
was then acting as bishop of the church of Eleutheropolis. The relics
of Habakkuk were found at Cela, a city formerly called Ceila. The tomb
of Micah was discovered at a distance of ten stadia from Cela, at a
place called Berathsatia.
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This tomb was ignorantly styled by the people of the country,
“the tomb of the faithful”; or, in their native language,
Nephsameemana. These events, which occurred during the reign of
Theodosius, were sufficient for the good repute of the Christian
religion.
After conquering Eugenius,
1576
Theodosius the emperor remained for some time at Milan, and here he was
attacked with a serious malady. He recalled to mind the prediction of
the monk, John, and conjectured that his sickness was unto death. He
sent in haste for his son Honorius from Constantinople; and on seeing
him by, he seemed to be easier, so that he was able to be present at
the sports of the Hippodrome. After dinner, however, he suddenly grew
worse, and sent to desire his son to preside at the spectacle. He died
on the following night. This event happened during the consulate of the
brothers Olybrius and Probianus.
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1574
First part independent.
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Or simply Bera.
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Soc. v. 26; Ruf.
H. E.
ii. 34; Theodoret,
H. E.
v. 25; Philost. xi. 2; Zos. iv. 59. For a different view
of the private life of Theodosius, see Eunap.
Fragm.
ii. 42, 49;
Philost. xi. 2; Zos. iv. 33, 44.
1577
a.d.
395. Idat.
Descr.
Coss.
; Marcel.
Com. chron.