Treasure in the Deep

Student Essay by Emma Hutchins

    I flung open the doors to my father’s house, the rush of noise and heat encompassing me. Hot tears streaming down my face blinding my eyes as I tore through the crowded streets of Alexandria. The beautiful Egyptian metropolis would have awed every passer by, but who could admire its beauty when terror stalked its streets? I raced towards the Kom el-Dikka, Alexandria's only amphitheater. Bystanders gasped as I wedged my way through the throng, every now and then hearing a few speak out “Who is she?” and others replying, “That is Catherine, Governor Costus’ daughter.” 

    A Roman soldier reached out, grabbing my arm. “Nile lily,” he cooed, “Why do you run in such desperation?” I wrenched my arm from his grip. Not hearing the protests that followed from the soldiers' lips. I burst through the tunnels leading to the crowds of the theater, greeted by sunshine and sounds of cheering and applause that echoed through the stadium. Just then, I almost stumbled with realization, coiling back against the wall of the stadium's entrance. I was walking into a situation that was surely deadly. Fear and anxiety seized my muscles and thoughts, making me crumple to the ground.  Worry, like a fire running wild, no escape from its heat or the pain it inflicted. I clenched my teeth, setting my jaw. “Emperor Maxentius!” My voice bellowed through the crowds and was carried to the raised box where the crowned emperor sat applauding the show. All grew quiet, my bated breath being the only thing I could hear. The earth seemed to tremble under my feet and the sound like thunder seemed to crack in my ears, but all was silent. All eyes on me, all waiting and expecting, fully anticipating the arrival of words that would exit my mouth to drift into the sea of judgment and opinion. Oh, Lord, where are you in the depths of my anxious heart? I cried out in my head. Where are your words to comfort this worried soul? I looked down at my hands; they were shaking. My body felt the need for God’s presence and was affected by my aching conscience. Why do I worry about what has not come?  Only you God, hold the answers to existence and peace. Ashamedly, I feared the grasp of death, thinking of the life of luxuries and pleasures I could have, and of how that moment of decision would change the course of life. In that moment of utter horror of what may become of me, I felt as though I was in the waters of an open sea, crashing and tumbling, foam splashing like the gnashing of teeth. But there I felt His presence. Above the waters was a steady hand, a firm grasp, a rescuer of souls. I reached out through the waves and darkness, clasping the familiar love and peace that encompassed me as a child, the one who stood by my side with tender compassion, who formed me and gave me a name. I stood in utter awe at the presence of my divine Creator. How could I live a life drowning in the luxuries of my heritage?  That life was of no use to me. No, how could I ever not acknowledge the joy I felt in Christ’s presence, His grace that overwhelmed my heart and his blood that healed all my scars, diminishing them away to be forgotten. I am to stop this, enough fire has spread, enough pain inflicted, enough hearts discouraged. I am called to a life to help the afflicted, I am called to be a path for the blind. I thrust forth my fist in determination. “Emperor Maxentius!” I resumed, but with confidence and strength, “I rebuke you, and your actions! It isn’t right to inflict pain upon the innocent. You must stop this persecution of Christians.” My words filled the empty void. The emperor stood, commanding me to come forth, summoning a trial. The audience had now forgotten about the previous show, readily anticipating the show at hand. I walked forward, expecting feelings of overwhelming fear to return, but in my mind and soul all was calm and fear was nowhere to be found; though weary, my soul was lifted. My father Costus, Governor of Alexandria, sat on the left hand of the emperor, eyes full of fear for me, his beloved daughter.  He turned to Maxentius, crying out, “Caesar, divine imperator, have mercy on my beloved! She doesn't know what she speaks of. She is only eighteen and is foolish, not knowing how her words offend Caesar.” Maxentius gave Costus his attention, though seemingly not agreeing with his words. My father gave me a look of sorrow. I shook my head at him, showing him that he could not stop me from doing what I found right. 

    “Divine Imperator.” This time, another spoke; Maxentius’ general, who sat at his right hand, declared  gleefully, his heart full of hatred for Christians. “Costus speaks out of desperation, he calls you the divine name Caesar to get your approval, but no respect on his part can or should save this Catherine of Alexandria. This woman has disgraced the gods, making hundreds fall into her Christian cult, and disgraces herself by refusing to marry. Now she goes as far as to defile the Emperor, you, the divine imperator. Though she may look as innocent and beautiful as a Nile lily, do not be persuaded; this woman is a venomous cobra. This woman,” He spat, pointing his finger towards me, “Deserves death!”

    Gasps followed throughout the crowd, but none disapproved. Costus’ face whitened, staring down at me with a horrified expression. “Imperator!” He pleaded, “Catherine is my only daughter.   I beg you to give her a chance to live.” Maxentius stood, “I do not wish to destroy our friendship,” he said, looking towards Costus, who was now on his knees. “And I will not stand the evil doings of this woman,” he snapped, pointing towards me with sharp keen eyes. “I shall see your fiendish christian arguments defiled.” He bellowed down to me, then turned to all proclaiming. “The Christian religion is to be crushed by the iron fist and whoever bows to it shall go down with it.” Maxentius summoned his wisest orators and his fifty smartest philosophers to invalidate my arguments. Though driven through a fire of torments, false accusations and declarations, the flame never scorched my heart, never hindered my thoughts.  The Lord guided my tongue, bringing forth his wisdom through me. The debate between myself and the Emperor's counselors lasted for hours.  Maxentius’ best orator suddenly fell to his knees, crying out, “Emperor, after all this woman has said, I cannot and will not deny her faith, she is young, but is full of wisdom. How could this be if not a Divine nature supports her. Whoever she puts her trust in, I too cannot testify against.” I stood, rejoicing in the goodness of the Lord as I witnessed more fall to their knees. Who was I to speak the words of the Lord and to be the witness of His goodness? Maxentius stood furious, his eyes blazing with fury, and the arrow of his anger notched at me. “Enough!” he shouted. “You and all your people shall face infliction of pain and be scorched!” 

    "And you,” he pointed to me, forgetting and not heeding his promise or my father’s words, “You shall dread your fate while you sit in prison condemned to death, and shall regret how you resisted and did not accept your emperor's requests.” Surrounded by soldiers, I walked out of the theater with my head held high.  Yes. I would wait out my fate in prison, and most likely face it. But I would not regret the decisions I had made and would strive and live for Christ every second until I met Him in eternity.