Short Stories

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I was a mere child when the two strange men came into town. They preached about some Nazarene who was put to death on a cross and arose from the death. I remember my father was angry with those two strangers. They were turning some people away from the goddess Athena. The people were forgetting all the good that the goddess has done for them. They were willing to sacrifice all for this Jesus fellow.
Every night, my father expressed relief that none of the madness fell upon his family. Then it happen, on the eve before the festival, my brothers Felix and Lucien, committed the ultimate treason to our family's honor. My father was making a toast to our beautiful goddess. He invited us to drink to the goodness of Athena when my brothers refused to do so.
"My boys, is the wine no good." asked my father. Lucien was the quieter of the brothers. He did not speak.
Felix did. "The wine is good, but we can not drink this wine."
My father was displeased with this answer. "Why not? The goddess herself provide us with the grapes to produce this wonderful wine." He raised his cup. Some of the other family members did the same.
"Athena did not provide the grapes. ” replied Felix.
"We cannot drink this wine." said Lucien.
"Why not." shouted my father.
"We cannot betrayed our Master and Lord by sinning against him." said Felix.
" We belong to Jesus.” replied Lucien.
I never seen my father that angry. My mother broke down and cried. She knew that this new strange cult called Christians were being harassed. Now, her sons were part of this new cult. My father was quiet for a moment. Then, he began to laugh.
"I see what's happening. You two are pretending to be Christians to test me on my faith to Athena. I thank you my good sons for the test. Now, that the test is over. Toast to Athena and to our village."
"Father, we are not pretenders. We are Christians. We belong to the Lord." said Felix.
"Amen." said Lucien.
My father threw his cup at Felix. The cup hit Felix on the forehead.
"Blasphemies. Raise your cups to Athena."
“No." said Felix, who had a red gash on his forehead.
"We will die before sinning against our Lord." said Lucien who helped Felix up.
"You should have your wish.” replied my father, who called for his guards. "Take them out and execute them in the name of Athena."
My mother became hysterical. "No, please. My sons apologize to your father. Do not make your mother an orphan."
Felix was close to his mother. "Mother, do not tempt us. Rejoice. The Good Lord have deemed Lucien and me to be worthy of the cross."
My brothers were escorted out of the house. A short time later, they were executed by the ax. My father delivered the heads personally to the local temple priest. "This is how I deal with those who dare to defy the greatness of Athena." He told them.
My father thought that once Felix and Lucien were dead, that this Christian craze would never enter his house again. He was wrong. My mother became a Christian. As well did some of the servants and even the person who execute my brothers. They suffer my father's wrath. At the end of his life, my father cursed Felix and Lucien for their dastardly deeds. He thanked Athena for giving him me- his joy in times of trouble.
I dared not betrayed my father by becoming a Christian. I. Mattias, will not rested until there is no longer a Christian alive.

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