The Thunderbolt Legion
The admirable interventions of God in human history confirm the truth of Faith towards Him but also strengthens the pious. Special glamour and faithfulness-as concerns the visual corner of the unbelievers or doubters-have the miracles that happen after special prayers of pious believers.
One such amazing occurrence is referred to in the Ecclesiastical History by the pious bishop of Caesaria which we render from independent quotes to facilitate the readers.
The testimonies of the contemporary ecclesiastical authors, are not only undisputed by the idolaters but specific testimonies confirmed the undisputed proof of truth. Those that still do not wish to believe they may seal their eyes and ears.......
We are in the year 172 ad. The Roman Legions of Mark Aurelius Caesar were facing for battle the Germanic and Sarmatin hordes. However his troops suffered greatly from thirst and he, himself was tormented with indecision. Then the soldiers of the Melitini legion (these legionnaires were not idolaters but Christians) whose consistency and bravery in the battles were renown due to their common faith, kneeled-according to Christian tradition- and fervently prayed to God.
The sight appeared strange to the enemies but almost immediately another strange happening occurred. A most violent windstorm destroyed their armies and set them to disorderly flight. In contrast a beneficial rain fell on the area of the Roman army - to which belonged those that prayed to the Lord - and were refreshed just as they were close to succumbing to thirst, as we said earlier.
This story is written by independent (outside of the Church) historians as well as by ours. The former report the strange event without testifying that it happened because of our prayers. On the other hand the Christian authors, being friends of the truth, report the event with simplicity and frankness.
Apollinarius reports one more bit of information regarding the event. He says that from then on and because of the victory, the king gave the Legion the appellation "Thunderbolt". Moreover, a reliable witness, Tertulianus who in his senate Apologetics (in favour of the Christians) refers to this miracle with greater and manifest proofs.
One such amazing occurrence is referred to in the Ecclesiastical History by the pious bishop of Caesaria which we render from independent quotes to facilitate the readers.
The testimonies of the contemporary ecclesiastical authors, are not only undisputed by the idolaters but specific testimonies confirmed the undisputed proof of truth. Those that still do not wish to believe they may seal their eyes and ears.......
We are in the year 172 ad. The Roman Legions of Mark Aurelius Caesar were facing for battle the Germanic and Sarmatin hordes. However his troops suffered greatly from thirst and he, himself was tormented with indecision. Then the soldiers of the Melitini legion (these legionnaires were not idolaters but Christians) whose consistency and bravery in the battles were renown due to their common faith, kneeled-according to Christian tradition- and fervently prayed to God.
The sight appeared strange to the enemies but almost immediately another strange happening occurred. A most violent windstorm destroyed their armies and set them to disorderly flight. In contrast a beneficial rain fell on the area of the Roman army - to which belonged those that prayed to the Lord - and were refreshed just as they were close to succumbing to thirst, as we said earlier.
This story is written by independent (outside of the Church) historians as well as by ours. The former report the strange event without testifying that it happened because of our prayers. On the other hand the Christian authors, being friends of the truth, report the event with simplicity and frankness.
Apollinarius reports one more bit of information regarding the event. He says that from then on and because of the victory, the king gave the Legion the appellation "Thunderbolt". Moreover, a reliable witness, Tertulianus who in his senate Apologetics (in favour of the Christians) refers to this miracle with greater and manifest proofs.
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