Volume 2

Jesus in Dion 365
ing, and sitting nearer the city under a long arbor that had
been erected over a terraced bank. This bank was covered
with beautiful, fine grass that hung like soft, silky hair, and
over it was spread a carpet. There were several women
afflicted by an issue of blood. They were closely veiled and
remained at a distance. Others were hypochondriacal, their
faces wan and sallow, their countenance sad and gloomy.
Jesus addressed them graciously and cured them one after
another. He gave each at the same time hints and admonitions
suited to her case for correcting her several imperfections,
for avoiding such and such sins, and He instructed all
as to what penances to perform. He also blessed and cured
several children presented to Him by their mothers. This
work lasted until the afternoon and ended amid general rejoicings.
The cured went away singing canticles of
thanksgiving, joyously and merrily carrying their beds and
crutches. They returned to the city processionally in
beautiful order as they had been cured, accompanied by
their rejoicing relatives, friends, and attendants. Jesus with
the disciples and Levites walked in their midst. The
humility and gravity of Jesus on such occasions are inexpressible.
The women and children led the procession
chanting the fortieth Psalm of David: "Blessed is He that
understandeth concerning the needy and the poor." They
went to the synagogue and thanked God, after which they
took a meal under an arbor. It consisted of fruit, birds,
honeycomb, and toasted bread. When the Sabbath began,
all went in mourning garments to the synagogue, for the
great Feast of Atonement then commenced for the Jews.
Jesus delivered in the synagogue a discourse on penance.
He spoke against those that limit themselves to corporal
purification without restraining the evil desires of the soul.
Some of the Jews disciplined themselves under their wide
mantles around the thighs and legs. The pagans of Dion
also celebrated a feast with an enormous quantity of incense.
The very seats upon which they sat were placed over