The Springs at Paneas

At Caesarea Philippi, which the Phoenicians call Paneas, springs are shown at the foot of the mountain called Panium, from which the Jordan flows. They say that on a certain feast day a sacrificial victim used to be thrown in, and by the demon’s power it vanished in an extraordinary way, and what happened was a famous wonder to those present. Once Astyrius was there while this was being done. Seeing the crowd struck with amazement at it, he pitied them for their error. Then, looking up to heaven, he prayed to the God over all, through Christ, to rebuke the demon who led the people astray and to put an end to the people’s deception. They say that when he had prayed this, the victim suddenly floated up on the springs. So the wonder was gone from them, and no marvel ever happened at that place again. [a]