Lives and Martyrdoms of the Saints, Volume 1

to us without delay, and in our food and drink and everything, for it is not right for Christians to eat and drink with Jews." Aber answered and said: "Here is water; what prevents me from being baptized?" The children said: "Not so; it is necessary to be baptized in the church by the hand of a priest." Aber said: "Now, since the church is far away and there is no priest with us, and because of the fear of my father and my brothers, I cannot be baptized openly; and behold, I am deprived of your fellowship, and my intentions will be in vain. If your God, Christ, is truly the truth, and a humble spirit is acceptable before Him, even more than burnt offerings, as you teach me, He will accept the sacrifice of my intentions and will not disregard the willingness of my will. He will fulfill my baptism through your hands. Therefore, do not delay, but arise with great power and the hope of Christ, and baptize me in His name, and He will accomplish everything." Then, when the children saw his willingness and his perfect faith in Christ, they stripped him of the garments he was wearing, and lowering him into the water, they said together thus: "This servant of Christ is baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." And praying as they were, they said at the moment of baptism: "You, Christ God, establish all the blessings which the priests speak at the time of luminous baptism, and receive him into perfect baptism together with all who believe in You." And they immersed him in the water three times, according to what they had previously seen and learned.

And when they brought him out of the water, they drew near to him one by one and kissed him, and lifting him into their arms, they honored him with great honor, and they clothed him in new garments of their own. They sat down with great joy to eat food with him, and they honored him like a bridegroom in the bridal chamber. His face brightened, and luminous rays emanated from him, for he had received the grace of the Holy Spirit through the words of the children. And