Peace with Persia and the Easter Vigil

Meanwhile the Persians heard of the emperor’s preparations for war. Not a little frightened at the prospect of a battle with his forces, they sent an embassy to ask for terms of peace. The emperor, a sincere lover of peace himself, accepted these offers at once and readily entered into friendly relations with that people. By this time the great festival of Easter was near. On that occasion he offered his prayers to God as his tribute, and spent the night in watching with the rest. [a]