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Alexander:
A church ceremony ... The baptism of the catechumens, but this looks a good deal too much like earnest! What were you doing down there on the shore?"
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Mystery Boy:
We were playing. It was the baptism of the catechumens. I was the bishop, and they were the catechumens.
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Alexander:
Are you a Christian?
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Mystery Boy:
Yes.
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Alexander:
What did you do?
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Mystery Boy:
I poured the water on them and said the words.
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Alexander:
What words?
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Mystery Boy:
(insert the formula in perfect greek)
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Alexander:
Did you pour the water as you said the words?
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Mystery Boy:
Yes.
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Alexander:
It is a dangerous game to play at. What would you say if I told you that you had really baptized them?
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Mystery Boy:
But I am not a bishop.
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Alexander:
Although the bishop usually does baptize the catechumens, it is not necessary that it should be a bishop, not even necessary that it should be a priest. What is your name?
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Mystery Boy:
Athanasius
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Alexander:
What would you like to be?
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Athanasius:
A priest.
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Alexander:
A bishop perhaps? You think it is an easy and a glorious life?
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Athanasius:
The blessed Peter was a martyr.
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Alexander:
Come to me this evening, and we will talk of this.
Tags:
#deceased theologians
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