First Christian Voices: Practices of the Apostolic Fathers

Chapter 3: God the Son

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one of its kind, and lives five hundred years. And when the time of its death draws near, it builds itself a nest of frankincense and myrrh and other spices, then, when the time is fulfilled, it enters the nest and dies. But as the flesh decays a certain kind of worm is formed, which, being nourished by the juices of the dead bird, it generates feathers. Then, when it has strengthened, it takes up that nest with the bones of its parent, and carrying these it passes from the land of Arabia into Egypt, to the city called Heliopolis. And flying in the sight of all people during the day, it places them on the altar of the sun. Afterward, it hastens back to its former abode. The priests then inspect the calendars of the dates and find that it has returned exactly when the five hundredth year was completed. I gnatius to the T rallians 9: Cover your ears, therefore, when anyone speaks to you differently about Jesus Christ. He was descended from David and was also of Mary. He was truly born and did eat and drink. He was truly persecuted under Pontius Pilate. He was truly crucified and died in the sight of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth. He was also truly raised from the dead, His Father quickening Him. In the same manner His Father will also raise us who believe in Him by Christ Jesus, apart from whom we do not possess the true life. Ascension P olycarp to the P hilippians 2 a : “Therefore, preparing your minds for action” (1 Pet 1:13), “serve the Lord with fear” (Ps 2:11) and truth as those who have rejected the vain, empty talk and error of the multitude, and “who through him are believers in God, who raised our Lord