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239 ST. DOMNA 239 donins, Mygdonios, and Indes. Indes had a sister, Domna, who was brought up in the palace, and was destined to bo the priestess of twelve gods ; bnt when she was abont fourteen, she became disgusted with the ceremonies observed in their worship, and, hearing of the simplicity and innocence of the Christian religion, she desired to know more about it. She happened to meet with the Book of the Acts of the Apostles, which impressed her very much, and soon after- wards she procured some of the Epistles of St Paul. She studied these, and became more averse to the religion in which she had been brought up, and more anxious for instruction in Christian doctrine. In those days of tranquillity Domna easily made acquaintance with a Chris- tian lady, who procured for her and Indes the teaching of one of the deacons. After a time he took them to St. Cyril, bishop of Nicomedia, to be baptized. From this time she fasted frequently, and gave to the poor nearly everything that was allowed her for her own wants and^leasures. When the governor of the palace discovered this, ho was very angry, locked her up, and tried to starve her ; but she was fed by some unknown help. When the officer who provided for members of the court perceived this, ho tried to tempt her with dainties, and ordered her to have money and every comfort and luxury. She feared some snare of the evil one, and pretended to be mad, so she was sent to the Christians to be cured. Anthimius arranged that she should be given into the charge of the holy abbess Agape (4). For this service he was degraded from his office in the palace to be a camel-driver, and was eventually beheaded. Galerius soon missed the names of Indes and Domna from among the persons officiating at a great ceremony, and his chamberlains told him that Domna was mad, and Indes had gone vdth her to attend upon her in a place where she could be taken care of. Galerius had by this time resolved on the destruction of the Christians, and, knowing that they would all flock to the churches on Chrislmas Day, he ordered every church to be set fire to. Many martyrs met their death in the flames — 14,000, according to the tradition of tho Greek Church. Gralerius now thought he had exter- minated the Christian religion, and gave games to celebrate the feat. A sacnfico to Ceres preceded the sports of the theatre. While the victims were being prepared, a soldier named Zeno called out, in the midst of a solemn silence, " What folly, O Emperor, to sacrifice to sticks and stones! Look at the sky I Do you think your gods made it ? Do you think the Creator of the world cares for the blood of beasts and the smell of incense? No; rather for pure hearts and upright souls." '* Smite him on the mouth I " cried the president of the games. " Break his jaws ! " roared some of the peopla "Off with his head!" cried others. And so this witness against the brutal sport of the arena was suppressed, and the games went on. About this time Anthimius, in his obscure station as an exile from court, had succeeded St. Cyril as bishop, and now thought it well to write to some of his flock who were in prison, to en- courage them to hold fast their faith. He sent the letter by a deacon, who succeeded in delivering it to Indes. It was addressed to him and to SS. Mar- donius and Mygdonius, who had been in prison a considerable time. Indes was seized by the guards, and the letter was found upon him. When Galerius heard of it, the name of Indes reminded him of Domna. He ordered all the monas- teries to be searched for her, and in the execution of this order the guards were guilty of the greatest atrocities. {See Theophila.) While this search was proceeding, Mardonius was burnt, Myg- donius was buried alive, and Indes was thrown into the sea with a stone tied round his neck. The Christians of the town told it to those in the mountains, among whom was Domna. When she heard of her brother's death, she rejoiced that he had witnessed a good confession. At night she left tho cave where she