THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO SAINT ZALERA: CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 8

¹And it came to pass, after Ajora’s triumphant entry into Murond, that the priests of the Pharist order grew sore afraid, for the people hearkened unto the words of the Glabados, and many forsook the old ways to follow Him.
²And the chief priests and the scribes conferred together in secret chambers, saying one unto another, “Behold, this man threateneth the power of our temple, and the foundations of our authority are shaken.”
³“If we suffer Him to continue thus, all shall be lost, and the people will forsake our ordinances and bow to Him alone.”
⁴And it was agreed that Ajora must be taken and delivered into the hands of the magistrates, that He might be condemned and put to death, that the people might be appeased.
⁵And the priests sent forth spies and false witnesses among the multitude, who watched and listened for any word or deed that might be construed against Him.
⁶Yet Ajora continued to teach openly in the temple courts and upon the streets, and none could find fault in His words, nor in His works.
⁷For He spoke with authority and wisdom, and His miracles bore witness to His divine mission.
⁸And the people marveled, saying, “Surely this is the Son of God, come to save His people.”
⁹But the Pharists were blind with envy and hatred, and their hearts were hardened against the truth.
¹⁰And it came to pass on the night appointed, when the city was hushed in sleep, that Ajora went forth with His disciples to the garden of Gethosia, a place of prayer and solitude.
¹¹And while He prayed, a band of soldiers and priests, armed and with torches, came upon Him.
¹²And the chief of the priests, whose name was Koria, stepped forward and said unto Ajora, “Art thou the Glabados, the Son of God?”
¹³And Ajora answered, “I am He, whom ye seek.”
¹⁴Then Koria gave a sign to the soldiers, and they laid hold on Ajora and bound Him with chains.
¹⁵And the disciples fled in fear, and Ajora was led away to the judgment hall of the high priest.
¹⁶And there the priests assembled with the elders and scribes, seeking to find cause against Him, but none could accuse Him of any evil.
¹⁷And they asked Him many questions, demanding that He renounce His claims and silence His teaching.
¹⁸But Ajora answered them not a word, or else with wisdom that confounded their devices.
¹⁹And the high priest said unto Him, “Art thou the Son of the Lord, the promised Glabados?”
²⁰And Ajora said, “Thou hast said it; and ye shall see the Son of man seated at the right hand of God, and coming upon the clouds of Heaven.”
²¹And the high priest rent his garments, saying, “Blasphemy! What further need have we of witnesses? Behold, ye have heard His own confession.”
²²Then the priests and elders condemned Him to death, saying, “He hath spoken against the Lord God; He is worthy of death.”
²³And the people gathered without, some crying out for justice, others for mercy.
²⁴And the governor, whose name was Pontius Mallius, was perplexed, for he found no fault in Ajora, yet feared the wrath of the priests and the multitude.
²⁵And he said unto the priests, “Take Him thyselves and judge Him according to thy law.”
²⁶But the priests said, “It is not lawful for us to put any man to death; the sentence must come from thee.”
²⁷And so Ajora was brought before the governor, who questioned Him again.
²⁸But Ajora answered with silence and calm, revealing no fear, nor pleading for Himself.
²⁹And the governor sought to release Him, but the priests stirred the people to demand the death of the Glabados.
³⁰And they cried, “Hang Him! Hang Him!”
³¹And the governor washed his hands before the people, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see ye to it.”
³²And the people shouted all the more, “Let His blood be upon us and upon our children!”
³³And thus the governor gave sentence that Ajora should be put to death according to their demand.
³⁴And Ajora was scourged and mocked by the soldiers, who put upon Him a crown of thorns and a robe of purple, and derided Him, saying, “Hail, King of Ivalice!”
³⁵And the multitude wept and wailed, for many loved Ajora and mourned the injustice.
³⁶And the disciples hid themselves, grievously sorrowful and fearful for what was to come.
³⁷And Ajora was to be taken by ship to the place called Golgorand, where the execution was to be fulfilled.
³⁸And the sun was darkened, and Ivalice trembled at the sight of the Son of God led as a malefactor.
³⁹But Ajora bore all things patiently, knowing that this was the will of the Lord, and the fulfillment of the ancient prophecies.
⁴⁰And before the judgment passed, Ajora spoke unto the priests and the people, saying, “Forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
⁴¹And He prayed for His disciples and for the world, that all might be saved.
⁴²And so was Ajora condemned, and the sentence of death passed upon Him, though He was innocent and holy.
⁴³Blessed be the Lord God, who ordaineth all things for the salvation of His people.
⁴⁴Amen.

▷THE SEVEN SCRIPTURES OF THE CHURCH OF GLABADOS
    ▷THE HOLY GOSPEL OF OUR LORD, SAINT AJORA
        ▷THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO SAINT ZALERA
            ▶1—2—3—4—5—6—7—8—9—10—11

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