Of the Holy Confessor Barlaam and Josaphat.

...martyrdom in the struggle against the princes, powers, and rulers of this darkness, and against the wicked spirits, as the Holy Apostle speaks. Ephesians 6. Once he was gone, the King raged even more violently against the monks and devised new persecutions. However, he held the idolaters and their priests in greater honor than before.

A Son is Born to the King

The King names him Josaphat. The Astronomi astronomers or Sternenseher stargazers/astrologers prophesied that he would become a Christian. This greatly troubled the King. He had a beautiful palace built and locked the boy inside. He took great care that not even the smallest detail about Christ or his faith should reach him. He commanded the monks to clear out of the kingdom within three days.

The Third Chapter.

An ornamental drop cap 'A' is decorated with floral and foliage patterns.

While the King lived in such cruel and dangerous error, a very beautiful son was born to him. From his early childhood, it was already possible to see what would become of him. Everyone said that a child so heartily lovely and beautiful had never been born in that land. His birth cheered the King with great joy, and he named him Josaphat. The foolish King ran to the temples of the false gods and idols. He arranged hymnos hymns and songs of praise in thanksgiving. The poor man did not recognize the true author of all good things, to whom he should have offered spiritual sacrifices of thanks. Instead, he attributed the grace of...