News That He Is Being Hunted

Such were the rumors that were spread abroad. And although everything was turned upside down in this way, I still did not give up my earnest wish to come to your Piety, but was setting out again on my journey. I did so all the more eagerly because I was confident that these actions were against your wishes, and that if your Grace were told what was being done, you would prevent it in the future. For I could not think that a righteous king could wish bishops to be banished, virgins to be stripped, or the churches to be disturbed in any way. [a]

While I was reasoning this way and hurrying on my journey, a third report reached me. Letters had been written to the princes of Axum, demanding that Frumentius, bishop of Axum, be brought from there, and that search be made for me even as far as the country of the barbarians, so that I might be handed over to the Commentaries of the prefects, as they are called. All the laity and clergy were to be compelled to hold communion with the Arian heresy, and any who would not comply with this order were to be put to death. To show that these were not just idle rumors but were confirmed by facts, I produce the letter, since your Grace has given me leave. My enemies were constantly reading it and threatening each person with death.