(no subject)
On July 30, the True Cross (the one on which Jesus was crucified) was conveyed to Hagia Sophia from the palace, placed next to the baptistry to bless it, and subsequently processed throughout the City. This is done because people are more ill during that month [August], and by being taken around the City it cleanses the air, the houses, and the narrow alleys, bringing health to all.
I call them enemies of human health, butchers of our bodies, and cruel executioners; nothing is worse than to fall into their hands. They bring siege-engines against the mouth, and wage war against the tongue, the teeth, and the lips. I want to grind my teeth against the invader, but am unable; my tongue is useless for defense against these tools. You see, I had a toothache once and I went around to all these philosophers. One wanted to cut open my veins, while another wanted to cauterize my ears. Finally, a bold fellow said, “Fools, can’t you hear what he’s saying? It’s his tooth that hurts. It must come out!” So he armed himself against my teeth: he came out bearing an enormous iron tool, cradling it in his lap, the sort of thing that you would use on the tusk of an elephant or wild boar. In the end, however, he managed only to break the tooth in half, and had to cauterize the rest to stop the bleeding. The law of Moses then came to my mind: a tooth for a tooth and an eye for an eye. We have laws against thieves, why can’t we have laws against these men who steal things from our bodies and then expect to be paid for it? (Prodromos, The Executioner or the Doctor).
I call them enemies of human health, butchers of our bodies, and cruel executioners; nothing is worse than to fall into their hands. They bring siege-engines against the mouth, and wage war against the tongue, the teeth, and the lips. I want to grind my teeth against the invader, but am unable; my tongue is useless for defense against these tools. You see, I had a toothache once and I went around to all these philosophers. One wanted to cut open my veins, while another wanted to cauterize my ears. Finally, a bold fellow said, “Fools, can’t you hear what he’s saying? It’s his tooth that hurts. It must come out!” So he armed himself against my teeth: he came out bearing an enormous iron tool, cradling it in his lap, the sort of thing that you would use on the tusk of an elephant or wild boar. In the end, however, he managed only to break the tooth in half, and had to cauterize the rest to stop the bleeding. The law of Moses then came to my mind: a tooth for a tooth and an eye for an eye. We have laws against thieves, why can’t we have laws against these men who steal things from our bodies and then expect to be paid for it? (Prodromos, The Executioner or the Doctor).