Khan el-Ahmar - EUTHYMIUS

Paragraph: 
48
Translation: 

Our father Stephen (the second successor of Elias in the abbacy) increased and enriched Euthymius’ monastery according to his power, and bequeathed to it 600 solidi of coined gold from his parents’ inheritance, then he died in January 22, after he had served 21 full years as hegumen <AD 534 or 535>. One Thomas of Apamea succeeded to (the guide of) Euthymius’ flock, which was then flourishing but suffered loss under him. In Thomas’ days the most glorious Caesarius <a high officer of Antioch, who had been miraculously cured by the oil from Euthymius’ grave> came back to the monastery, and was invited to dinner by Thomas. During the repast, Caesarius heard from the hegumen that in the diakonikon were kept some pieces of the venerable wood of the all-holy Cross, which were presented to the monastery by the Cross-wardens Cosmas and Chrysippus. The hegumen Stephen put some of those pieces in a cross of solid gold set with precious stones that was made by his order for the monastery. Caesarius at once exclaimed: “By the Lord, let me adore it and do me the grace to give me a piece.” The hegumen promised to do so and taking him into the diakonikon, in that same hour of noon, opened the cupboards of the treasure. Caesarius adored (the wood) and took a little piece, then they re-entered the inner room of the diakonikon and went back to their repast. A certain Theodotus, a Galatian, who was in charge of the refectory, was serving them. While he came in and out through the diakonikon, he stole from one of the cupboards still standing open the above-mentioned 600 solidi, which were in three pouches, and went on waiting on the table. The hegumen, wishing to take leave of Caesarius, hastily closed the cupboards, not perceiving what had happened, and dismissed his guests with a prayer … <The thief flees but is miraculously stopped by Saint Euthymius and the money is recovered.>

(transl. Leah Di Segni)

Summary: 
The diakonikon, ca. AD 535.