The Torn Edict at Nicomedia

As soon as the decree against the churches was posted at Nicomedia, a man who was not obscure, but one of the most highly honored by the distinctions this life counts great, was stirred by godly zeal and carried away by his burning faith. He took the decree down where it stood in a public and conspicuous place and tore it to pieces as unholy and utterly ungodly. He did this while two of the emperors were present in the same city, the eldest of them all and the one who held the fourth rank of rule after him. [a] This man was the first of those at that time to distinguish himself in this way. He endured what was only to be expected for such a daring deed, and kept himself cheerful and calm to his very last breath. [c]