that were within his palace, and
tore them down to the ground. Then he brake them into small pieces,
and distributed them to the poor, thus making that which had been
useless useful. Furthermore he and his son besieged the idols' temples
and altars and levelled them even to the ground, and in their stead,
and to the honour of God, built holy courts. And not only in the city
but throughout all the country also, thus did they in their zeal. And
the evil spirits that dwelt in those altars were driven forth with
shrieks, and cried out in terror at the invincible power of our God.
And all the region round about, and the greater part of the neighbour
nations, were led, as by the hand, to the true Faith. Then came the
holy Bishop, of whom we have spoken, and King Abenner was instructed,
and made perfect with Holy Baptism, in the name of the Father, and of
the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. And Ioasaph received him as he came up
from the Holy Font, in this strange way appearing as the begetter of
his own father, and proving the spiritual father to him that begat him
in the flesh: for he was the son of his heavenly Father, and verily
divine fruit of that divine Branch, which saith, "I am the vine, ye are
the branches."

Thus King Abenner, being born again of water and of the spirit,
rejoiced with joy unspeakable, and with him all the city and the region
round about received Holy Baptism, and they that were before darkness
now became children of light. And every disease, and every assault of
evil spirits was driven far from the believers, and all were sane and
sound in body and in soul. And many other miracles were wrought for
the confirmation of the Faith. Churches too were built, and the
bishops, that had been hiding for fear, discovered themselves, and
received again their own churches, whilst others were chosen from the
priests and monks, to shepherd the flock of Christ. But King Abenner,
having thus forsaken his former disgraceful life, and repented of his
evil deeds, handed over to his son the rule of all his kingdom. He
himself dwelt in solitude, continually casting dust on his head, and
groaning for very heaviness, and watering his face with his tears,
being alone, communing with him who is everywhere present and imploring
him to forgive his sins. And he abased himself to such a depth of
contrition and humility, that he refused to name the name of God with
his own lips, and was scarce brought by his son's admoniti