The Ancient Witnesses

Chapter 1: A Journey to Nicaea • 57

“I’ve never heard or seen anything like it,” he replied, “these men speak ancient Greek, but I also heard Latin, Aramaic, and Syriac being spoken!” “You know all those languages?” I asked. “I’ve studied them for years,” he said, “but I’ve never heard anyone speaking them fluently until now.” There were tears in Father Greg’s eyes. From time to time our guide went out to various sections within the Athenaeum, and would return with one or more of the ancient witnesses. Before long, the choir stalls and chairs within our arena were filled. Our guide showed the five of us to a bench where we were to sit, and began sifting through the old books on the table next to his lectern. “Mentor?” asked Preacher, “is that like a librarian?” “He’s going to help us access the library’s holdings,” explained the priest. “How does that work?” I asked. Father Greg paused to consider how he could best describe what he’d learned about the Athenaeum. “All the books in this library convey scenes from one story,” said Father Greg. “What story?” asked Cesar. “God’s story,” said the priest, “the Creation, the Fall— everything that’s happened and that will happen until Christ returns again!” “What’s happens now?” asked Joseph. “That’s up to Mentor,” said Father Greg. “Who’s that?” asked Cesar. “They call your guide Mentor,” he replied.