Literature of antiquity and the Middle Ages - Summary - 2019

The Miracle of Theophilus
Rutebeuf (ab. 1230-1285)

Once the economist of one of the famous churches, whose name was Theophilus, was famous for its wealth, high status and kindness in the district. But life has treated him cruelly, he lost everything and fell into disgrace from the cardinal. And one day, Theophilus, sitting at his home, remembered bitterness with how jealous he prayed before his patron saint of the Cardinal, who was so unfair to him. Econom was a proud man and decided at any cost to revenge the offender. On his own, it was impossible to do this, and, having shaken himself, Theophilus decided to go to the mighty wizard, Saladin, who was able to spell the devil. Saladin met Theophilus with open arms. When he learned about the misfortunes that had happened to his friend, the wizard promised to help and ordered to come the next day. On the way home, the pious Theophilus was scared, that eternal punishment for the deal with the enemy of the human race will be met for eternal torment, but, having recollected his misfortunes, he decided to meet with the unclean. Saladin called the devil a terrible charm and persuaded him to help Theophilus.

The next day, the economist came to Saladin even earlier, and he sent him to the devil, strictly commanding not to say Christian prayers along the way. Appeared to the unclean, Theophilus complained about his fate, and the insurgent replied that he was ready to return his honor and wealth, if for that Theophilus would give him a soul and become his servant. Theophile agreed and wrote the receipt that the devil had left in himself, ordering the savior to be cruel to people from that time on, and forget all mercy. And the cardinal, despised by his injustice towards Theophilus, decided to reinstate him and sent his servant Zadir to find the exiled economist. Having embraced Zadura with the last words, Theophile decided, however, to go to the Cardinal.

And Theophilus sees the total remorse of the Cardinal, but talks with his master evil and roughly, although he accepts the post and money agrees, Theophil goes out into the street and sees his friends Peter and Thomas. He also runs cool with them, and cursing and insulting them goes his own way. But he is tormented by the scum of conscience. After a long torment, repentance comes in. Goryuyu, Theophilus came to the chapel of the Blessed Virgin. Pav on his knees, he began to pray diligently for the salvation of his soul, expiring with tears. Pondering over the unfortunate economist, Madonna appeared to his eyes and promised to take away the damn receipt from the devil. Then the Blessed One went to the enemy of the human race and, under the threat of violence, took away his paper. Again before Theophilus, Madonna commanded him to hand over this receipt to the Cardinal, so that he would read it to all the parishioners in the church, so that they knew how easy it would be to perish. Theophilus came to the Cardinal, and, telling how it was all, he handed him a vile contract. The Lord, rejoicing in the salvation of the servant, summoned the believers to the temple and read to them the paper, where the prophylaxis of the unclean, bound with the blood of Theophilus, was kept. Having heard of such a miracle, all those present in the temple stood up and one voice exclaimed: "Pray for you, God!" So a disgraceful disciple was shamed, who tempted the souls of men with light wealth and glory.