The 40 Warriors
Many years ago, in the days when the greatest passion of
the Roman Emperor was the extermination of the Christians, there was a troop of
forty soldiers known as the Warriors of the Emperor who valiantly served their
ruler. They were excellent men, chosen from among the most valiant of the land.
They maintained the integrity of the empire against all challengers. Before
each battle they would cheer, “We the forty warriors, battling for thee, our
emperor, to win for thee the victory, and for thee the victor’s crown”.
When the great Roman army was sent to fight, no other group
of soldiers was more valiant and loyal than this troop of warriors led by their
captain.
One day, the emperor received news that the Christian faith,
which appeared to have no boundaries and had crossed to the captain: “If there
are any among the soldiers who affirm the Christian faith, they shall be put to
death”.
The decree was received in mid-winter. The soldiers were
camped on the banks of the frozen lake. The winter had been harsh but the many
difficulties that the troop had suffered together had only served to unite them
more firmly. Because of this, it was great remorse and a heavy heart that the
captain read the emperor's message. What's more, there is a supreme word for
any soldier – DUTY. The captain ordered the soldiers to ranks and said, “Any of
you who affirm the Christian faith take one step forward”. Forty soldiers took
one step forward, saluted, and stood at attention. The captain was
disenchanted. He had not expected so many. However, the decree had come down
that any who did affirm the Christian faith must die. The captain again spoke
and said, “For the benefit of your comrades and loved ones, renounce this
faith”. Not one of the forty moved so the captain said, “I will wait until
sunset for your answer”.
Sunset came and went. Again the captain said, “If any of you
affirm the Christian faith, take one step forward”. Again all forty warriors
took one step forward, saluted, and stood at attention. The captain plead with
them without convincing them to renounce their Lord. Finally, he said, “The
decree of the Emperor must be obeyed but I am not willing to have your comrades
shed your blood. I order that you all shall march out to the center of the lake
and shall be left at the mercy of the elements. Bonfires will be lit here on
the bank and I, your captain, will wait by the largest fire to welcome anyone
who will renounce this false faith.” The forty warriors were stripped and
without a word they turned, formed ten rows of four, and began to march out
towards the lake of ice. During their march, they began to chant, “We the forty
warriors of Christ, battling for thee our Lord, to win for thee the victory,
and for thee the victor's crown”.
All through the night the captain waited and waited beside
the fire. As time passed, the chant of warriors grew more and more faint. As
morning drew night, one lone figure, overcome by the cold, struggled towards
the fire. Because of the extreme suffering, he had renounced his Lord.
Softly, but clearly, the chant came from the darkness, “We,
the thirty-nine warriors of Christ, battling for thee our Lord, to win for thee
the victory, and for thee the victor's crown”.
The captain looked at the figure as he came up to the fire,
hearing all the while the chant came from the darkness. Who can say what
happened in that moment. Maybe he saw a greater light in the darkness. He
removed his helmet, let his sword drop to the ground, stripped, and ran out
towards the center of the lake, crying at the top of his lungs, “We the forty
warriors of Christ, battling for thee our Lord, to win for thee the victory,
and for thee the victor's crown”.
Auothor Unknown