Sunday, November 15, 2020

The church catholic

Vatican Museums
"I am a disciple of the chaste shepherd, who feedeth his flocks of sheep on mountains and plains. . . .  He sent me to Rome. . . .  And I saw the plain of Syria and all the cities [too], even Nisibis, having crossed the Euphrates.  And everywhere I had associates having Paul as a companion, everywhere faith led the way and set before me for food the fish from the spring mighty and pure, whom a spotless Virgin caught, and gave this to friends to eat, always having sweet wine and giving the mixed cup with bread."

     Inscription of Abercius (late 2nd cent.), trans. Quasten (Patrology, vol. 1, p. 172).  For a link to the text as reconstructed in Lightfoot, Apostolic fathers, go here.

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