_Gregory Nyssen_, another eminent Monk and Bishop, in the life of _Ephraem
Syrus_, tells how a certain man returning from a far country, was in great
danger, by reason all the ways were intercepted by the armies of barbarous
nations; but upon invoking _Ephraem_ by name, and saying, _Holy _Ephraem_
assist me_, he escaped the danger, neglected the fear of death, and beyond
his hope got safe home. In the end of this Oration _Gregory_ calls upon
_Ephraem_ after the following manner: _But thou, O Ephraem, assisting now at
the divine altar, and sacrificing to the Prince of life, and to the most
holy Trinity, together with the Angels; remember us all, and obtain for us
pardon of our sins, that we may enjoy the eternal happiness of the kingdom
of heaven._ The same _Gregory_, in his Oration on the Martyr _Theodorus_
written A.C. 381, thus describes the power of that Martyr, and the practice
of the people. _This Martyr_, saith he, _the last year quieted the
barbarous tempest, and put a stop to the horrid war of the fierce and cruel
_Scythians_.--If any one is permitted to carry away the dust with which the
tomb is covered, wherein the body of the Martyr rests; the dust is accepted
as a gift, and gathered to be laid up as a thing of great price. For to
touch the reliques themselves, if any such prosperous fortune shall at any
time happen; how great a favour that is, and not to be obtained without the
most earnest prayers, they know well who have obtained it.
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