Page:The Apocryphal Acts of Paul, Peter, John, Andrew and Thomas.djvu/343

 she said to the nurse, "I need no measures, nor also the many loaves, but this only bring: a small measure of water, a loaf and oil."

121. When Marcia had brought these things, Mygdonia stood before the apostle with uncovered head. And he took the oil, poured it upon her head, and said, "Holy oil, given to us for sanctification; hidden mystery, in which the cross is shown to us; thou art the extender of the bent members; thou art the humbler of the hard works; thou dost point out the hidden treasures; thou art the sproud of goodness. Let thy power come and rest on thy servant Mygdonia, and heal her by this liberty." Having poured out the oil, he bade the nurse to undress her and to put around her a linen dress. And there was in that place a spring to which the apostle went and baptized Mygdonia in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. And when she was baptized and had dressed herself, he broke bread, took a cup of water, made her partake of the body of the Messiah and of the cup of the Son of God, saying, "Thou hast received thy seal and obtained eternal life!" And instantly a voice was heard from above, saying, "Yea, Amen!" When Marcia heard this voice, she became afraid, and asked the apostle to give her the seal also, and the apostle did, and said, "May the zeal of the Lord encompass thee like the others!"