Chapter 194 Repent, Elias
When you open the door and walk into the church, the first thing you see is the bright altar, with a gorgeous icon enshrined on it, surrounded by exquisite candles emitting fragrance.
The walls on both sides are richly decorated with frescoes depicting images of Christ, the Virgin Mary and many saints.
In such a luxurious church, Father Aljos found his old boss, Bishop Anthony of Mesaoria Church.
Bishop Anthony is already a bit old, with a very dangerous hairline, but he also has a thick beard, which makes him look kind and majestic.
Bishop Anthony, after recognizing Father Archos, took him to a nearby confessional to avoid being noticed by people with ulterior motives.
In this small space, the first thing the bishop said was: "You shouldn't come back."
Archos's answer was: "I must come back."
"A few days ago, an uprising broke out in the south of the island, and thousands of people were killed by Isaac's mercenaries!"
"That guy is crazy now, no one can stop him!"
"Basil Pontacnos tried to stop him from ordering the massacre, but Isaac ordered his feet to be chopped off!"
When he heard the news, Archos was also a little surprised.
Because Basil Pentaxnos is Isaac's teacher, he is equivalent to the highest civil official on the island of Cyprus, responsible for managing the administrative affairs of the island, and has a role similar to that of the prime minister.
But his legs were chopped off?
For a moment, even Archos was speechless.
All we can say is that this is the unique matching mechanism of the Middle East.
When the ruler relies on military power to arbitrate everything, the so-called civil service system is essentially just a window-dressing thing, or a servant serving the warlord [tyrant].
It’s just that Aljos didn’t expect that Isaac wouldn’t even let his teacher go!
When he heard the news, Aljos couldn't help but think of what Garris had said, and once again felt from the bottom of his heart that Garris was right.
The current order of killing in this world is sin and blasphemy against God.
[The world is not an empty space prepared for heaven, because there is already an untouchable power in it. 】
[This world is a country that worships idols and worships the god of death, a country that crucifies the true God. 】
[Love of life can only reveal the reality of the kingdom by defeating death. 】
[In the name of eternal order and peace, this world wants to crucify the rebellious lives. 】
[However, the God of life is not the God of order. Life is the divine entity that transcends all orders. 】
[Any order based on killing is sin and blasphemy against God. 】
——"The Words of Gareth"
In this situation, Archos still said: "Bishop, I want to tell you that the word of God has become flesh again and lives among us."
Bishop Anthony was a little silent. He didn't know what Archos meant, because the word of God became flesh, which essentially refers to Christ Jesus.
"Our nature is diseased and needs to be healed; fallen in sin, we need to be raised up; dead in our transgressions, we need to be raised again."
"We have lost the glory we once had and must return it; we are trapped in darkness and need light; we are captives and long for a savior; we are imprisoned and chained and long for liberation; we suffer as slaves and long for a liberator."
"Since mankind has fallen into deep misfortune and suffering, wouldn't Almighty God show mercy and come to this world?"
"All of this has moved the Lord, and He allowed the physical body of His own son to be resurrected through the Holy Spirit to walk on this earth and announce the revelation of the new millennium."
[When all things have not surrendered to Him, and before the new heaven and new earth filled with justice appear, these creatures are groaning and suffering, looking forward to the manifestation of God’s children. For this reason, Christians pray, especially in the Eucharist, urging Christ to return, saying to Him: "Come, Lord!"]
"Now He has come, and He declares to us that the Kingdom of Heaven is coming, and is coming soon."
"Unless we follow the Lord's death and resurrection through this final Passover, we will not enter the glory of the kingdom of heaven."
Bishop Anthony's lips twitched, and then he pressed his hand on Archos's forehead, wanting to know if the child had a fever, and then he spit out: "What nonsense are you talking about?"
In response, Father Archos's reply was: "Teacher, I have seen a miracle."
"The man died and rose again. His mind was filled with the wisdom of God. He was more powerful than Samson and built the prototype of a new kingdom."
Miracles are very important to Christians in this generation, especially to the Orthodox Church.
In Orthodox Christianity, miracles are so important because they are seen as signs of the Father's direct intervention in human history and life, demonstrating God's presence and grace.
Miracles are seen as ways in which God manifests his divinity through the physical world, demonstrating divine grace and providence.
They reveal God’s omnipotent power and also show God’s willingness to intervene in human life to help and save believers.
This not only gives believers comfort and hope, but also strengthens their faith in God.
Through miraculous manifestations of saints, relics, or icons, Orthodoxy emphasizes that God's power is not only present in the past but is also active in the present.
Miracles thus serve as powerful witnesses of faith, helping believers to strengthen their faith and encouraging them to follow the example of the saints.
Miracles were not just temporary divine intervention, but were seen as heralding the coming of the Kingdom of God.
Orthodox Christianity emphasizes that miracles foreshadow the future full sovereignty of God and the complete renewal of the world.
Miracles thus provide believers with a glimpse of the Kingdom of Heaven, reminding them that the glory of the Kingdom of God will be fully revealed and all disease, death, and sin will be eradicated.
If at first Anthony thought Archos was talking nonsense, but when the priest showed off the miracle, he couldn't help but become cautious.
If the miracles mentioned by the priest are verifiable, then it means that God has indeed sent a new revelation to this world.
If it were anyone else, Bishop Anthony would probably not believe it, but Father Archos, in a sense, was actually his adopted son, who was raised by him himself.
He understands the nature of his student. Although it is indeed nonsense and even more chaotic in some aspects, his nature is not bad.
"What else did He say?"
"He told me: We must love everyone, but we cannot love everyone in the same way."
"We love the oppressed by liberating them."
"We love our oppressors by fighting them."
"We love the oppressed and liberate them from their miserable condition."
"We love the oppressors and free them from their sins."
“This is ‘God so loved the world’”
……
On the main road of the village, dust and blood intertwined, and the afterglow of battle filled the air.
Broken Viking shields were scattered on both sides of the road, and the marks of heavy battle axes were faintly visible on the broken boards.
Varangian corpses lay on the ground, muscles exposed, and blood spread from the wounds, staining the muddy road red.
Those survivors stood frozen on the spot like stone sculptures, their eyes full of fear and they did not dare to move rashly.
Their eyes focused on Garris, the blond Frank, whose ferocity reminded them of those legendary beings.
[Odin can plunge the enemy into darkness, making him blind and deafened, with fear like the cold wind piercing the bones, and the sharp blade in his hand is as soft as a willow branch and as brittle as hay. 】
[However, Odin's warriors need no armor, they are as fierce as wolves and dogs, they bite shields, they are as furious as bears, and they are as strong as bison. A single strike kills the enemy, making them unable to escape. 】
[Neither flame nor steel can stop their footsteps. 】
[They are called "berserkers". 】
——"Yinglingasaka"
Garris stood on top of the pile of corpses, sweat and blood running down his face.
He held the ax handle tightly with both hands and breathed heavily and firmly.
Everyone felt the breath of death exuding from his body, and the pressure of silence made the surrounding air freeze, and no one dared to welcome his anger.
He was isolated in the middle of the battlefield, surrounded by deathly silence.
In front of him, there was a man kneeling on the ground, his hands and feet tied with hemp rope, trembling, and the crotch between his legs was already wet.
After completing this battle, the reason for the arrival of this group of "Varangi" people was also verified.
Regarding the plans of the Elias family, colluding with Isaac, trying to set up an ambush, and betraying the compatriots of the Liberation Front, the "Varangis" who could not tell whether they were Russians or Normans, fully revealed everything.
During this process, Elias's servants, in order to survive, even threw out all the things Elias had done.
This isn't the first time Elias has done something like this.
In fact, since Nicholas failed in his rebellion, Elias began to look for an escape route for himself, thinking about how to escape intact.
Through his family's connection with the Turks, the reason why Nicholas was arrested earlier was because of his secret betrayal and leaked the news to the Turks.
As for Elias, the reason why he has not directly jumped back is that the Turks hope that he can find more hiding places of other rebels.
Then, who would have thought that he would bump into Garris.
It can be said that from the moment he met Garris, Simple Nicholas and the others, Elias was thinking about how to sell a big deal.
But there were two surprises in this process.
Surprise 1: The Turks were replaced by the "Varangi". The new "Varangi" was not familiar with his family, but took this opportunity to rob his village.
Surprise 2: The combat power displayed by Garris was a bit too terrifying.
Such a heavy two-handed ax can be wielded easily with one hand in the hands of Garris.
More than a dozen throwing spears could not hurt him at all. With just one person, Garris smashed the shield wall of the "Varangi" people.
During this process, many actions were dragged out of the afterimages by Garris. Is this really an effect that can be achieved by human power?
【We love the oppressors by fighting them. 】
"Repent, Elias."
“If you repent from your heart, Heavenly Father will forgive your sins.”
"After the refinement and purification of Heavenly Father, you may be able to enter heaven one day."
When Garris was saying these words, there were already many gaps on the ax blade of the broad ax in his hand. Dark red blood stains were solidified on the handle of the axe, while blood was still dripping from the tip of the axe.
Listening to Garris's words, Elias swallowed, and hope suddenly rose in his heart. In this situation, he hurriedly and eagerly asked Garris: "After I repent, will I be able to live! Won't you kill me!"
He was so eager for life and eager to live that for his own life, he did not hesitate to offer sacrifices to idols and the "God of Death".
But this longing for life is a kind of greed and a betrayal of the vast majority of people.
"Elias, I want to tell you, man is created in the image and likeness of God, and the voice of the poor who want to live is the voice of God."
“What you do to the poor and humble, you do to Jesus.”
"When you betray your fellow men, do you not betray Christ Jesus?"
"It should be noted that Judas, who sold the blood of innocent people, wept bitterly after the death of Jesus, threw the coins on the ground, and hanged himself outside the temple."
"Those who commit suicide cannot go to heaven. I have given you the opportunity to redeem yourself."
"Are you going to be like Judas, separated from God in hell, struggling forever, tasting the suffocating taste of God?"
In traditional Christian teachings, suicide is considered a serious sin because it is considered a rejection of life, contrary to God's gift of life.
In both Orthodox and Catholic churches, suicide is seen as an act of disobedience to God, because only God has the authority to determine the beginning and end of life.
Elias' lips opened and closed again. When Gareth compared him to Judas, he knew that he was destined to die, but how could he repent?
That kind of repentance that comes from the heart, sheds tears, and is enough to purify everything, is indeed enough for God to forgive all his sins.
But Elias can’t do it!
His only fear now is that he is going to die...
Elias's tears will only be shed because of himself.
Seeing that Elias had not moved for a long time, Garris raised the ax in his hand.
Elias, whose hands and feet were tied, could not move at all. Before the ax fell, a few drops of blood dripped on his neck, making him feel a little chilly.
"I..."
Before he finished speaking, the ax blade had already struck down, and Elias' head rolled several times on the ground. Finally, his eyes stared at the sun in the sky without the strength to open and close his eyelids.
"Almighty and merciful God, you have brought the hope of eternal life, and I sincerely pray for you"
"May You accept Elias and forgive him for the mistakes he has made, regardless of his thoughts, words, or deeds. May he rest in peace in Your holy arms."
"Please send angels to guide him and prevent the devil from harming his soul. May we cherish the gift of life, strive to do good, and look forward to reunion."
"May he share eternal happiness in your glory,
"Glory to you to all generations."
"Amen."
Garris made a small cut on his index finger, squeezed out a drop of blood, and dropped it on Elias's lips before Elias died completely.
This was a sign that Elias had drank the holy blood before he left.
"If you eat my flesh and drink my blood, you will have eternal life. I will teach you resurrection at the last day."
[We love the oppressors to free them from their sins. 】
This scene is a little too weird.
In this mountain of corpses and sea of blood, what Nicholas and the others saw was not a murderous monster.
This is an extraordinarily sacred existence, and the dazzling blond hair seems to be emitting a halo in the sunlight.
Nicholas on the side, after taking several breaths, said to Andre on the side: "This is the light of Tabor."
Andre was a little confused. He didn't see any light or aura. Just now, Garris chopped off the head of a sinner.
Nicholas shook his head. Of course, it is true that there will not be an extra halo of light on Garris's head, but his holiness does not need to be set off by external objects.
This sacred light of Tabor is the purification of the souls of the righteous and the chastising fire of the sinners.
Many Orthodox theologians believe that the Light of Tabor is the fire of hell.
According to these theologians, hell is the state of those who do not accept the uncreated light and love of God and are burned by it.
For sinners: "The divine light will be considered the punishment fire of hell".
This is a kind of love, this is a kind of rescue.
Elias should be grateful to Gareth. At least Gareth gave him the chance to go to heaven, instead of letting him be like Judas and only wandering in hell.
After all this was completed, Garris turned his attention to the "Varangi" again.
The Varangians were shivering, they felt the heat as if it were a burning fire, burning their souls.
In this situation, they were desperate for life, trying to escape from Gareth's axe.
Of course, Garris had a principled approach to killing, and he did not kill innocent people indiscriminately, just as Garris had been saying these days.
This is not personal revenge, but God's just judgment through the hands of righteous people.
After a sinner repented and died, his fate can only be decided by the Heavenly Father.
And the hatred and revenge related to him also ended.
Things have ended here, and they will not and should not be extended aimlessly.
In the end, a few people of this "Varangi" group survived.
And the news that Garris and his group killed the emperor's "Varangian Guards" also drifted to all directions of the island along with the fallen leaves.
……
Still in that church, Bishop Anthony was speechless. Opposite his seat was Archos, his favorite student, or adopted son.
The bishop, who had a dangerous hairline, looked up at the sky after hearing the news.
In the eyes of most churches, peace and order are above all else, more important than the protection of people, buildings, and land.
Therefore, some monasteries or churches even reached an agreement with the looters, stating that they would give permission as long as they looted farmers.
But as a bishop who educated Father Archos, Anthony still has a compassionate heart.
Therefore, as early as after Nicholas' uprising failed, he went to Isaac's teacher, Basil, hoping that he could persuade Isaac.
It can only be said that it did have some effect at the beginning, but when Nicholas and his gang escaped from prison, Isaac's anger erupted like a volcano.
Isaac, who felt betrayed, cut off the legs of his teacher and the "Palace Minister" of Cyprus, regardless of the friendship between teachers and students.
"The Lord has said: 'Thou shalt not kill!' God's commandments are overriding. Soldiers are not obliged to obey orders that are contrary to God's commandments."
"Even when faced with a sinful order to kill, you should act according to your conscience."
"But I think whether it's Isaac, those Turks or the Varangians, they probably have no conscience."
"The Savior we believe in is present in the faces of those suffering. How can we remain indifferent in the face of such history?"
Listening to these words of his students, Bishop Anthony found that the priest had grown a lot.
This thirty-six-year-old middle-aged man has found his own path and has a mature system of speculative logic.
And this system is almost heretical in today's era.
But if the miracles mentioned by Archos are indeed true, then Archos will become the "apostle" of the new millennium. He may be someone like St. Peter or the Apostle Paul.
However, just today, news about the blond Frankie came through, and each of those rumors was more outrageous than the last.
Ordinary people would just listen to it as chatting, just to kill the boredom in reality.
But after Bishop Anthony heard this, he became a little worried that in this era, a "prophet" who was like "Samson" and killed people, but was a divine helper, had really appeared.
Because there will be swords on the earth, the old world will be set on fire, and rivers of blood will flow.
Is that kind of future really the kingdom of heaven that Aljos talks about?
In this case, Bishop Anthony said this: "Violence not only threatens our brotherhood, but also makes the kingdom of heaven farther away from us, and it is the failure of the violent people themselves."
"Trying to solve all problems once and for all by escalating violence will only push our society into the abyss of killing and destruction, causing unpredictable consequences for our social and spiritual life."
Bishop Anthony did not specifically refer to the repressive behavior of Isaac's mercenaries, nor did he criticize Gellis and his rebel army. He was just stating his views.
After hearing these words, Aljos stood up, pressed the bishop's shoulder, and leaned his head against it.
"Teacher, the Holy Son said something. I think I can repeat it to you. I really hope that is not reality."
"What?"
"Religious suffering is both a manifestation of real suffering and a protest against this suffering."
"Religion is the sigh of oppressed creatures, the emotion of a heartless world, just as it is the spirit of a spiritless state."
"Religion is the placebo of the people."
"Teacher, are you still silent? Do you really want our church to become the sigh of oppressed souls?"
In this small confessional, Bishop Anthony shrank his head. His student had indeed grown up, and now he had an unspeakable power.
"The previous Nicholas rebellion is not over. A new storm is coming. If our church does not make the right choice, it will inevitably be abandoned by the people of Cyprus!"
"Those who are abandoned in the garbage and compete with birds and beasts for food, those who should be desperate, will light up the light of Tabor!"
God walked in this bleeding world, Archos firmly believed in this.
If the church does not make the right decision at this juncture, then Garris will clean up the church mercilessly.
After all, for sinners: the Divine Light of Tabor will be seen as the punishing fire of Hell.
The Russian Orthodox Transfiguration of Jesus on Mount Tabor was completed around 1408.
The number of updated words is more than two in one!
(End of chapter)