The Collected Works of Pseudo-Dionysius

Of Saint Dionysius?...

O praiseworthy theftoriginal: "κλεψισύνη" (klepsisynē) — This refers to a "pious theft," a common motif in lives of saints where relics are taken secretly to protect them from desecration by pagans or to ensure they receive a proper Christian burial. which brought about no loss, but rather a profitable gain! Just as it is the custom for those who toil upon the land to wait for their beasts of burden to carry in the harvest, so too is that land of the blessed martyrs filled with a gift and guided by grace, so that the believing farmers may reap a hundredfold fruit. Thus, they are deemed worthy of salvationoriginal: "σωτηρίας" (sōtērias). and leave behind a great treasure of holinessoriginal: "ἁγιωσύνης" (hagiōsynēs) for those who come after them.

The aforementioned most honorable woman, not forgetting the sanctification of the martyrs—as the fury of the tyrants had already subsided—sought with all diligence for the suitable place that ought to guard the bonesoriginal: "ὀστᾶ" (osta). of the holy martyrs. And having found a great vaulted buildingoriginal: "τροῦλον" (troulon), referring here to a tomb or a domed structure., she sealed it. We believe this most wonderful and noble matronoriginal: "μητροφαμίλιον" (mētrophamilion) — a term indicating a woman of high social standing or a respected mother of a household. was not without merit, being likened to the very reverence of these holy martyrs; for indeed, the Redeemeroriginal: "λυτρωτής" (lytrōtēs) — a title for Christ. of all deigned that she too should come to faith in His own name. Never of its own accord did her heart bring forth such a plan; rather, because of this, we believe without any contradiction that she guarded the bones of the blessed martyrs through a godly purpose, as she became worthy of them and advanced in the truth of the faith through their intercessions.

And the multitude of the Christians, being like a city through the teaching of the blessed martyrs, turned—